Qadri Shattari

The Qadri Shattari (also known as the Qadiri-Shattari) is a Sufi order representing the Shattariyya branch of the Qadiriyya silsila, primarily active in India and Pakistan. The order is characterized by its adherence to the concept of Wahdat al-wujūd (Unity of Existence) and the historical adoption of syncretic practices combining Islamic and Hindu mysticism.

Historically, the Qadri Shattari intersection emerged during the tenure of Bahauddin Ansari (d. 1516), a Qadiri Sufi who integrated Shattari methods into his practice. The order exerted influence over the political and cultural landscape of the Mughal Empire and the Sultanates of the Deccan. Notable figures associated with the lineage include the Punjabi poet Bulleh Shah (d. 1757), his mentor Shah Inayat Qadiri (d. 1728), and the scholar Wajihuddin Alvi(d. 1589). The order's contributions to Indo-Pakistani culture include developments in Persian and Punjabi literature, poetry, and the arts.

The order's spiritual practices frequently incorporated yogic elements, such as breath control (pranayama), postures, and the visualization of chakras, specifically the Anahata chakra. In the contemporary era, the order is led by Sayyad Mushtaq Hussain Ali Mast Qadri Shattari. Modern outreach and academic study of Sufism are facilitated through the Qadri Shattari Institute of Sufi Studies, an online platform noted by scholars for its role in the digital expression of Sufi mystical ideas.