In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
The Essence of Spiritual Foundation

Sayyad Mohamed Husaini Ashraf
Leicester, UK

Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“O People, spread peace, feed the hungry, strengthen the ties of kinship and pray at night when people are
sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in Peace”
To adopt and implement this Prophetic message was the main factor behind the establishment of Spiritual
Foundation. To tackle the sickness of terrorism, extremism and violence with the medicine of peace, harmony
and unity; to terminate poverty, diseases and bitterness amongst people with the spirit of generosity,
compassion and care; and to invite and guide people towards Almighty Allah based on the Sufi methods of
remembrance, meditation and self-reflection. With such noble aims and objectives, Sheikh-e-Tariqat Hazrat
Syed Muhammad Jilani Ashraf (chief & founder of Spiritual Foundation) laid the foundation of these thoughts
and methodologies. The idea was not to invent a new ideology or belief system, but to revive and reinstate the
method and creed of our pious predecessors.
The Modern Challenges: a brief overview
The World was progressing in science and technology, while humanity suffered from depression, lack of peace
and excessive materialism. Men believed in God but left His path. Islamic scholars were graduating in huge
numbers, but their approach was void of the wisdom of Khwaja Moeenuddin Chishti and the firmness of
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Legal Edicts (Fatwa) could be purchased to fulfil one’s need. Acquisition of
leadership, status and high position became their ambition instead of serving religion and humanity.
On the other hand, the leaders and followers of Tasawwuf were witnessing its ritualisation, modernisation and
commercialisation. To be a ‘Sufi’, one merely needed a ‘Sufi father’ or elegant traditional attires. Character
building and self examination were no more the prerequisites. Visiting a Sufi for cure and advise was expensive
and visiting Mazaraat (Sufi Tombs) were even more expensive with its innovated rituals. The entire Khanqahi
concept was commercialised, where only the elites were welcomed and honoured. A concept which
propagated internal poverty and external simplicity was an extravagant system now. Like the Ulama, the Sufis
were also combating for the spiritual summit and their father’s successor ship.
Furthermore, if these issues were great obstacles, then invalidation and modernisation of Tasawwuf was even
a greater threat. Some called it ‘Universal Sufism’, while others considered it an influence of Greek ethos and
other cultures. The Extremist leaders remained adamant that it was an alien concept to Islam,

Which only gained popularity due to invasions and conversions, while some orientalises and modernists believed that it
belonged to all religions and cultures.

A Sincere Attempt
The founder and the able team understood the challenges ahead and worked extremely hard to eradicate
terrorism, extremism, illiteracy, diseases and poverty through the Prophetic teachings of peace, tolerance,
love, unity, generosity, compassion and fulfilling the rights of Allah and His creation (Huqooq-ul-Allah wa
Huqooq-ul-Ibad). Although Spiritual Foundation was officially registered in 1992, but its works and activities
were constant since the 1960s. To address the issues of illiteracy, intolerance and corruption within Tasawwuf,
an educational institute (Dar-ul-Uloom Diwan Shah) was established in the outskirts of Mumbai in 1968, to
enlighten the masses with Islamic sciences embedded with the values of Tasawwuf. This continued with the
establishment of Sufi institutes around the World by the name of ‘Jamia Sufiya’. All praises be to Allah, it has
now many branches around the World, most notably in Dargah Kichhauchha Sharif (UP, India), Leicester (UK),
Lenasia (South Africa) and Cape Town (South Africa).
Students and seekers under these institutes are learning modern and Islamic sciences with the knowledge of
Tasawwuf, as well how to implement it in their lives and inject it in their characters. Scholars of Islamic sciences,
who were void of wisdom and vision; and Sufis of the Khanqahs, who were empty of Islamic jurisprudence and
its methodologies had found an educational and training centre, which peacefully combined both methods
and concepts. An amalgamation of external knowledge with internal purification. An institute, which not only
taught its students regarding the legal status of using a stone to perform Istinja (cleanliness after urination or
defecation), but also emphasised that removing stones from the pathway of others is an act of worship and a
sign of internal purification.
This was also an impactful response to those, who were arguing for the invalidity of Tasawwuf within Islam, as
well as those, who believed it to be a universal idea and not an Islamic concept. Jamia Sufiya through the
training by its teachers, researches by its students, propagation by its graduates and publications by its scholars
has explicitly defined that Tasawwuf is an integral part of Islam, which was directly inspired from the life and
teachings of Prophet Muhammad?.
Spiritual Foundation and Jamia Sufiya also played a major role through its publications, conferences, seminars,
convocations and public marches in clarifying to the masses and media that Islam has no role in the spread of
terrorism and violence. The need was also to unite the people by keeping intact their beliefs, cultures and
identity. Hence post the riots in Gujrat, during a multi-faith gathering in Surat (Gujrat, India) in 2003, Hazrat
Syed Muhammad Jilani Ashraf (chief and founder of Spiritual Foundation) presented his belief and approach
towards establishing unity amongst people belonging to different faiths and cultures. He stated:
“.from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Nagaland to Khemkaran, in spite of people with different faiths, creeds,
languages, traditions, ethnical connections, all of them are tied with one single thread of oneness and unity;
and that is Indianness, which is our unity, the invaluable possession of India. In another words our diversity is
our unity” (Surat, Gujrat, 15th October 2003)
To further disseminate the message of peace and tolerance, Hazrat Syed Muhammad Jilani Ashraf authored
numerous books and articles and edited many magazines (al-Mizan and Spiritual Times) on various topics of
Islam, politics and spirituality. His most notable work is a 7-volumebook named Kashf-ul-Quloob “An
encyclopaedia of Tasawwuf.
In the fields of welfare and medicine, Spiritual Foundation has been working tirelessly in organising free medical camps for more than 10 years around India and abroad. In November 2015, it managed to establish a
permanent hospital by the name of “Qadriya Hospital” within the campus of Jamia Sufiya (Dargah
Kichhchauchha Sharif, India). Furthermore, it has sponsored more than 5000 students around the World with
free education and boarding. It also feeds thousands of poor and needy individuals around the World. Free
clothes and burials are also available in India and South Africa. The team in India and abroad plans to continue
with these activities on a much larger scale (In Sha Allah).
The Way Forward
It has been 25 years, and now one must plan and think for the next 25 years. Below are some proposals for the
future of Spiritual Foundation, which shall take it to greater heights and new successes (In Sha Allah):

Hospitals and Medical Stores must be increased in numbers. It must be attempted that the entire
treatment with consultation is free or affordable.
The foundation which was laid by the wise and courageous hands of Sheikh-e-Tariqat Hazrat Syed Muhammad
Jilani Ashraf must develop and progress for the benefit of the future generation. Though remaining on this path
requires sacrifices and inner strength, but indeed its ultimate rewards are enormous and satisfying in this
World as well as the Hereafter. I humbly urge to all the members, supporters, donors and leaders of Spiritual
Foundation around the World to remain firm, stable, and focused on this Prophetic mission of peace,
compassion and constant worship. I pray for all those, who have assisted and are presently contributing
towards the organisation in achieving its goal; and also for all those, who would bear its flag in the future. I have
been a small part of this mission, and hope to contribute towards its purpose and mission based on my limited
capabilities. Lastly, I present my sincere appreciation to the founder, trustees, members and supporters of
Spiritual Foundation around the World for their hard work, commitment, devotion and determination in these
testing yet memorable 25 years. May Allah guide us all towards His path and give us the patience, courage and
contentment to remain steadfast upon this path. Ameen
Seeker of the Sufis,
Sayyad Mohamad Husaini Ashraf

It is extremely important for every branch of Spiritual Foundation to be self-sufficient in the future. This will
ensure that the organisation is not solely depended on public funds and is not affected if donations are less
or none. This also gives the organisation the freedom to completely implement its aims and objectives and
avoid unnecessary involvement. When the organisation becomes self-sufficient, it increases the chances
of establishing more branches and institutes. It should be noted that every branch must observe the
financial situation and nature of their countries before planning for this step.

Books and articles are being published and it must continue, however along with this it must also be
digitalised. Almost all information is now available on the internet, and thus it is the need of the hour that
Spiritual Foundation remains more active on the social media, so that its messages and works are available
to every community.

It is important to organise more Spiritual and Sufi Training Camps and telecast it live on TV and social media.
This will benefit millions around the World and present the true image of Tasawwuf and Sufis to them.