Definition of Khanqah

لدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) قَوْلُهُ: وَرِبَاطٍ هُوَ خَانْكَاةُ الصُّوفِيَّةُ وَهُوَ مُتَعَبَّدُهُمْ. وَفِي كَلَامِ ابْنِ وَفَا نَفَعَنَا الله بِهِ مَا يُفِيدُ أَنَّهَا بِالْقَافِ فَإِنَّهُ قَالَ الْخَنْقُ فِي اللُّغَةِ:التَّضْيِيقُ، وَالْخَانِقُ: الطَّرِيقُ الضَّيِّقُ وَمِنْهُ سُمِّيَتْ الزَّاوِيَةُ الَّتِي يَسْكُنُهَا صُوفِيَّةُ الرُّومِ الْخَانْقَاهْ لِتَضْيِيقِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ بِالشُّرُوطِ الَّتِي يَلْتَزِمُونَهَا فِي مُلَازَمَتِهَا وَيَقُولُونَ فِيهَا أَيْضًا مَنْ غَابَ عَنْ الْحُضُورِ غَابَ نَصِيبُهُ إلَّا أَهْلَ الْخَوَانِقِ وَهِيَ مَضَايِقُ اهـ ط. وَوَجْهُ تَسْمِيَتِهَا رِبَاطًا أَنَّهَا مِنْ الرَّبْطِ: أَيْ الْمُلَازَمَةِ عَلَى الْأَمْرِ، وَمِنْهُ سُمِّيَ الْمَقَامُ فِي ثَغْرِ الْعَدُوِّ رِبَاطًا، وَمِنْهُ قَوْله تَعَالَى {وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا} [آل عمران: 200] وَمَعْنَاهُ انْتِظَارُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ، لِقَوْلِهِ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ – «فَذَلِكُمْ الرِّبَاطُ» أَفَادَهُ فِي الْقَامُوس

In Durrul Mukhtar, Allama Ibn Aabideen Shami (RA) writes, Ribaat refersto the Khanqah of the Sufis, their place of worship. The dictionary meaning of”Khanq” is narrowness. “Khaniq” refers to a narrow path.Therefore the small corner in which the Sufis of Rome had resided is referred to as a Khanqah, because they would restrict themselves with conditions which they had to adhere to in that place. The Arabs also say, Whoever is absent from my presence, his share is lost except the people of Khawaniq (narrow places). The reason for referring to it as ‘Ribaat’ is because it is derivedfrom the word ‘Rabt’ which means to stick firmly upon a matter, thus a gap oropening to the enemy is called Ribaat.(Therefore that the gap of our enemies(i.e. Shaytaan and Nafs) should be guarded). From it is the verse of the Quraan Sharif, “be firm in fighting (the enemy) and remain steadfast”. Also it means, wait for (the next) Salaah after the completion of one Salaah, as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam referred to this action as Ribaat

Shajaraat / Spiritual Hierarchy

This is the complete Shajaraat / Spiritual Hierarchy of Masha’ikh(teachers) of Hazrat Moulana Mohammed Mehtar Saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum,Khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib Daamat Barakaatuhum