The Chain of Transmission within a Sufi order is of central importance in the Sufi work. It is a major conduit of the baraka of any genuine Sufi school, and links the mureeds of that order with the combined spiritual power of their spiritual ancestors and with the unseen transformative forces that transpire behind the outward manifestation of the Chain, which is called the Silsila (“chain” or “pedigree”). A “lineage-holder” within a Sufi order will have the Silsila of the lineage committed to memory, and it is recited at pivotal occasions such as the group zikr of the order and especially at initiations. Working backward, experientially contacting and effacing oneself in the being of each master in the Chain is considered a necessary development of the practice known as “Tasawwuri Murshid.”

The representation of the Chain of Transmission is called the “Shajara” (“Tree”). The shajara which appears here is that of Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid ‘Inayat Khan's primary spiritual lineage, though he was considered a master in all four major Sufi lineages represented in India. It is worth noting that at each juncture, there may be several shaikhs deputized to carry on a lineage. A shajara is a tracing of initiatic ancestry rather than a representation of the full flow of barakat from the Source.

The Shajara above was compiled by Pir Zia ‘Inayat Khan from scholarly researches in the West and India. The titles and honorifics ascribed to the masters in our Chain vary somewhat from one source to the next, but the names listed here are fundamentally correct.

Pir Zia has given a brilliant series of talks on the Shajara, presented at the 1999 Leaders’ Training. Tapes can be ordered through the Sufi Order Secretariat and are highly recommended for anyone wishing to become immersed in the spiritual heritage of Pir-o-Murshid ‘Inayat Khan.