Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani

Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani is a world-renowned author and religious scholar. He has devoted his life to the promotion of traditional Islamic principles, such as peace, tolerance, and opposing extremism in all its forms. The shaykh is a member of a respected family of traditional Islamic scholars, which includes the former head of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Lebanon and the present Grand Mufti of Lebanon.

In the U.S., Shaykh Kabbani serves as Chairman, Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Advancement; Founder, Naqshbandi Sufi Order of America; Chairman, As-Sunnah Foundation of America; Chairman, Kamilat Muslim Women’s Organization; and, Founder and President, The Muslim Magazine.

Shaykh Kabbani is highly trained, both as a Western scientist and as a classical Islamic scholar. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and studied medicine. In addition, he also holds a degree in Islamic Divine Law, and under the tutelage of Shaykh ‘Abd Allāh Dāghestānī license to teach, guide and counsel religious students in Islamic spirituality from Shaykh Muhammad Nāzim ‘Adil al-Qubrusī al-Haqqānī an-Naqshbandī, the world leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order.

Shaykh Kabbani, along with his brother Shaykh Adnan, has received ijazah as calipha of Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani.

His books include: Symphony of Remembrance (2008), Classical Islam and the Naqshbandi Sufi Order (2003), (2005), Remembrance of God Liturgy of the Sufi Naqshbandi Masters (1994); The Naqshbandi Sufi Way (1995); Angels Unveiled (1996); Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine (7 vols. 1998); Encyclopedia of Muhammad’s Women Companions and the Traditions They Related (1998, with Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar) and many others.

In 1991 he moved to America and there established the foundation of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order of America.

Since that time, he has opened thirteen Sufi centers in Canada and the United States. He has lectured in many universities, including Oxford, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Harvard, Howard, McGill, Concordia, Dawson College, as well as in many spiritual and religious centers throughout North America, Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani's work wherever he goes is to spread the Sufi teachings of the brotherhood of mankind as the children of Adam, and the Unity of belief in God that is present in all authentic spiritual teachings. His efforts are directed at bringing the diverse spectrum of religions and spiritual paths into harmony and concord, in recognition of mankind's responsibility as caretaker of this fragile planet and of one another.

Shaykh Hisham, as a Sufi shaykh, has been given the authority and permission to guide his followers to the Love of God and to the stations to which they have been destined by their Creator. His arduous spiritual training of 40 years at the hands of his grandshaykh and his shaykh, has endowed him with the sublime qualities of wisdom, light, intellect, and compassion necessary for a true Master on the Path.

Shaykh Hisham's outreach mission in the West is his unique contribution to the Endeavor of Humankind in reaching for its highest destiny--nearness to God. His endeavors to bring unity of hearts in their movement towards the Divine Essence is what may be his greatest legacy to the West.

In his long-term efforts to promote better understanding of classical Islam, Shaykh Kabbani has hosted two international conferences in the United States, both of which drew scholars from throughout the Muslim world. As a resounding voice for traditional Islam, his counsel is sought by journalists, academics and government leaders.