Imam Faqih al Muqaddam Muhammad b. Ali Ba Alawi رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ is revered as one of the greatest masters of the Bani Alawi Sa’dah, often referred to as the ‘Father of the Ba Alawi’ and ‘Al Ustadh al Azam’ (the Great Teacher). Born in Tarim, Yemen, in the year 574 AH, the great Imam memorised the entire Qur’an and mastered the Islamic sciences at a young age. He attained the distinguished level of ‘Mujtahid’ and surpassed his contemporaries in both the outward and inward sciences.
Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ emerged as a spiritual luminary, a beacon of Divine knowledge and wisdom. He towered over the saints of his time, surpassing all of the saints and scholars of his time both in knowledge rank spiritual. Recognised as the Spiritual Pole (Ghawth) of his era, his contemporaries were well aware of his profound closeness to Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Being one of the greatest luminaries from the Beloved Prophet’s pure family ﷺ, his noble lineage is as follows:
Sayyiduna Muhammad al Mustafa ﷺ,
↓
His ﷺ noble daughter Sayyidah Fatima al Zahra سلام الله عليها – Sayyiduna Imam Ali b. Abi Talib عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam al Husayn al-Sibt alayhis salaam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam Muhammad al Baqir عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam Jafar al Sadiq عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam Ali al Uraydi عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
↓
Imam Muhammad al Naqib رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Isa b. Muhammad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Ahmad b. Isa al Muhajjir il’Allah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Ubaydullah b. Alawi رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Alawi b. Muhammad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Muhammad sahib al Sawama’a رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Alawi b. Ali Khali Qasam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Ali Khali Qasam b. Muhammad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Muhammad b. Sahib al Mirbat رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Ali b. Muhammad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
↓
Imam Muhammad b. Ali (Sayyiduna Faqih al Muqaddam) رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
The esteemed spiritual station of the Ghawth was inherited by Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ from the Spiritual Master and Ghawth, Sayyiduna Abu Madyan Shuayb رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ, who himself received it from Sayyiduna Ghawth al Azam Shaykh Abd al Qadir al Jilani رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ.
Known as the Father of the Ba Alawi Sayyids, Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ held a status so exalted that the great Imam Abdullah b. Alawi al-Haddad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ remarked, “We do not give anybody precedence over Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ except those who have been mentioned by Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Messenger ﷺ.”
Imam Faqih al Muqaddam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ was a master in every Islamic science. People from far and wide flocked to him, seeking knowledge, blessings, and advice. His matchless intellect and character mirrored the Muhammadan ﷺ attributes, both inwardly and outwardly. The perfected manifestation of Islam shone through him; the masses found solace, comfort, knowledge, light, and all that is good in his presence, while the Gnostics drew strength, deeper understanding and spiritual elevations from his noble company.
Imam Abdullah b. Alawi b. Muhammad al-Haddad رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ eloquently stated, “His (Imam Faqih al Muqaddam radiAllahu anhu) state at the beginning of his path was like the state of his contemporaries at the end of their path.”
The noble Imam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ departed from this temporal world in the year 653 AH. Nevertheless, his blessings, knowledge, secrets, and light continue to illuminate the hearts of millions of Bani Alawi followers worldwide.
May Allah Ta’ala unite us with him and raise us with him on the Last Day. May we always remain under his noble gaze in both worlds and be granted a place in Jannah next to him, for the sake of the immense rank of the Imam’s noble and pure grandfather, Sayyiduna Rasulullah ﷺ. Ameen. Al-Fatiha.