Naqshbandi (,
naqshbandi;) also written
Naqshibandi, an-Naqshbandiyyah, Naksibendi, or Naksibendi) is a major
Sunni spiritual order of
Sufism. It is one of the Sufi way that traces its
spiritual lineage to the Islamic prophet
Muhammad, through
Abu Bakr, the first
Caliph and Muhammad's companion. Some Naqshbandi
masters trace their lineage through
Ali, Muhammad's cousin, son-in-law and the fourth Caliph, in keeping with most other Sufis.