وصال مولانا سلطان سید احمد کبیر رفاعی (عراق)

Hazrat Sultan Syed Ahmed Kabeer al-Rifai R.H (512–578 AH / 1118–1182 CE) was the founder of the Rifai Sufi order — one of the oldest, largest, and most widespread Sufi orders in the Islamic world, with millions of followers across Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, the Balkans, and Southeast Asia. He was born in the village of Umm Ubayda in the marshlands of southern Iraq (near modern-day Basra) and was a direct descendant of Hazrat Imam Hussain R.A through a noble Sayyid lineage — his family had produced scholars and saints for generations. He lost his father at a young age and was raised by his maternal uncle, Shaikh Mansur al-Bata'ihi R.H, a renowned Sufi master who recognized the boy's extraordinary spiritual potential and personally trained him in the sciences of Tasawwuf.

He was known for his extreme humility — despite being the Qutb (spiritual axis) of his era, he would say: "I am the weakest of Allah's servants. My path is built on brokenness before Allah." This quality of utter self-effacement (inkisar) became the defining characteristic of the Rifai order. His most famous miracle occurred during his Hajj pilgrimage when he visited the Rawdah (tomb) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah.

He called out: "In my state of distance I used to send my spirit to kiss the earth on my behalf, but now that I am here in person, extend your blessed hand so I may kiss it." Witnesses narrate that the blessed hand of the Prophet ﷺ emerged from the sacred chamber, and Imam Rifai R.H kissed it — this event was witnessed by approximately 90,000 pilgrims present. The Rifai order is distinguished by its emphasis on humility, poverty, service to the sick and afflicted, and the practice of intense Dhikr that produces extraordinary spiritual states — Rifai dervishes are historically known for remarkable feats performed in states of spiritual ecstasy as demonstrations of divine power. He authored several works on Tasawwuf including "al-Burhan al-Mu'ayyad" and "Hikam al-Rifaiyyah" which outline the principles of his spiritual path.

He passed away on the 22nd of Jumada al-Awwal, 578 AH in Umm Ubayda, Iraq. His shrine remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Iraq, and the Rifai order continues to thrive across the Muslim world over 800 years after his passing.