AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 Here’s the English translation:

---

*Tazkira Sufiya-e-Kiram Series*

*4) Sayyid al-Ta'ifa Hazrat Junayd al-Baghdadi (215–298 AH) — Part 2*

*Junayd’s Sufi Teachers*

1. *Ma‘ruf al-Karkhi* — Hazrat Ma‘ruf al-Karkhi, who was the sheikh of Sirri al-Saqati, was Junayd’s second teacher. From his company Junayd acquired the subtleties and fine points of Tasawwuf.

2. *Al-Muhasibi* — His third teacher in companionship was [al-Harith] al-Muhasibi, who was a friend of Sirri al-Saqati and often came to visit him. Junayd benefited from him the most.

3. *Al-Qassab* — Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Qassab was Junayd’s fourth teacher. He was the sheikh of the Sufis of Iraq and passed away in 275 AH. Junayd learned the mysteries of Tasawwuf from him.

4. *Ibn al-Karabi* — He was Junayd’s fifth teacher and held a lofty status in asceticism and piety.

5. *Al-Haddad* — His full name is Abu Hafiz Umar bin Salama al-Haddad. He was the sheikh of the Sufis of Khurasan. In doctrine he was a Mu‘tazili and the author of several books on _kalam_.[theology]

*The Baghdadi School of Tasawwuf —*

Abu Talib al-Makki said that at most there were only a few people in Junayd’s private gatherings, and in his later years he used to say that among you the desire to acquire the truths and gnosis of _Tawhid_ has greatly diminished. Before Junayd’s death — i.e., at the end of the third century AH — suspicion about the Sufis had begun. Accusations of _zandaqa_, heresy, and _hulul_ began to be leveled against them. Junayd himself was also accused, and some _ulema_ and jurists also looked at him with suspicion. Accordingly, when the Sufis were summoned to the court of the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad for investigation, Junayd saved his life by saying that he was actually a _muhaddith_ and a jurist. Junayd adopted seclusion and confined his teachings to a limited circle.

*Junayd’s Companions and Disciples —*

1. *Abul Husain Ahmad bin Nuri* — Of Khurasani origin but born in Baghdad. Like Junayd, he was a student and disciple of Sirri al-Saqati.

2. *Abu Sa‘id al-Kharraz* — He was also a student of Sirri al-Saqati and was among those few elders who wrote books on Tasawwuf.

3. *Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Muhammad ibn ‘Ata* — For a long time he remained a close companion of Junayd, but in later years a disagreement arose on the issue of whether, on the Day of Judgment, the rank of grateful wealthy people would be greater or that of grateful poor people.

4. *Abu Muhammad Ruwaym ibn Ahmad* — He was a very learned and accomplished Sufi, preeminent among the scholars of his time in the science of _tafsir_. When Ruwaym accepted the post of judge, his ties with Junayd were severed.

5. *Abu Hamza Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Baghdadi* — He was among the friends of Sirri al-Saqati and the crown of the Sufis of Baghdad.

6. *Abu Abdullah Umar bin Uthman al-Makki* — He was from a wealthy family of Baghdad, but when he accepted the post of judge, Junayd broke off relations with him. He was the first spiritual guide and teacher of Hallaj.

7. *Abul Hasan Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Jubair* — He was a disciple and student of Sirri al-Saqati. Junayd greatly respected him.

8. *Abul Abbas Ahmad ibn Masruq* and *Abu Ja‘far al-Hadda* [Abdul Kabir] were also among Junayd’s special companions.