Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Fassi (commonly known as Qutbul Ujud Imam Fassi), who was born in Fes in 1173 Hijri (ca 1760 CE) or 1218 Hijri and died in 1280 Hijri, ca 1863 CE, was the originator of the Fassi family of Sheikhs who constitute the Fassiyatush Shadhiliyya Sufi order.
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Early life
The boy who later became known as Imam Fassi was born in the year 1173 Hijri (ca 1760 CE) or 1218 Hijri in Fes in Morocco, from which the family name "al-Fassi" had earlier been derived. His mother died during his very childhood. He was a hafil al-Quran during his childhood and travelled to various parts of the world and finally Makkah in search of wisdom.
Names
Imam Fassi can be briefly referred to as Qutbul Ujud or Qutbul Ujud Hazrat Fassi. Some of the full versions of his name include Qutbur Rabbani, Haikalus Samadhani, ... Qutbul ujood, ... Abu Abdullah Seiyaduna Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Masood bin Abdur Rahman al-Makki al-Maqribi al-Fassi ash-Shadhili (Rali.) or Hazrat Qutbul Ujud Seyyidina Mohammad al-Fassy ash-Shadhili (Rah...).
Education
Imam Fassi travelled to Mecca to memorise and learn the Quran with tajwid. He travelled to many places in search of good preachers. His main sheikh was Sidi al-Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamzah al-Madani (Sheikh Qutb Mohammad bin Hamza lafir al-Madani (Rali…)).
Fassiyatush Shadhiliyya
Imam Fassi and his descendants form a branch of Shadhiliyya which is the only tariqush Shukr (Order of Gratitude).
The Spiritual Chain
The silsila of the Fassiyatush Shadhiliyya order (called as Silsilat ad dhahab) is as follows: