Shadhili

Shadhili is a Sufi order founded by Abu-l-Hassan ash-Shadhili.

It is the most popular Sufi order in North Africa and many of its followers have made great contributions to Arab and Islamic literature, most notably Sheihk ibn Atiullah, author of the 'Hikam' amongst other works, Sheikh Ahmed Zarruq, who passed away in Libya, who was the author of a commentary upon the Risala of al-Qayrawani (a standard work in Maliki Islamic jurisprudence) and a commentary upon the Hikam, he also wrote extensively on religion (Sufism) and law. Sheikh ibn Ajibah who wrote a commentary upon the Qur'an.

Many of the Sheikhs of al-Azhar University in Egypt have also been followers of the Shadhili order where the 'Hamadiyye' Shadhili order is most popular. The Darqarwi Shadili order is found mostly in Morocco and the Alawiyye (no connection to the Turkish or Syrian Alawi or Alevi groups) is found mostly in Algeria but now also in France amongst French North-Africans. The British Muslim convert Martin Lings wrote an extensive biography of the founding Sheikh of this order, Sheikh Ahmed al-Alawi, entitled 'A Sufi saint of the 20th century'