أحمد بن مصطفى العلاوي

Ahmad al-'Alawi (RH)

Ahmad ibn Mustafa al-'Alawi

Also known as: Ahmad al-Alawi, Shaykh al-Alawi, Ibn Aliwa

1286–1353 AH · 1869–1934 CE

Sufism & Theology Maliki Sufism

Algerian Sufi master who founded the 'Alawi branch of the Shadhili path.

Ahmad al-'Alawi was born in Mostaganem in western Algeria and had little formal schooling. He worked as a cobbler and trader while studying in the evenings, and joined the Darqawi Sufi master Muhammad al-Buzidi, whom he served for fifteen years.

After al-Buzidi's death in 1909 his followers chose al-'Alawi as their guide. His branch of the Shadhili path, the 'Alawiyya, spread quickly across North Africa and to Yemen, Syria and Muslim communities in Europe. He taught remembrance of God (dhikr) and spiritual retreat, wrote poetry and a Sufi commentary on Ibn 'Ashir's Maliki primer al-Murshid al-Mu'in, and founded a newspaper. Martin Lings' book about him introduced him to many English readers.

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