Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Al Kabbani: January 28, 1945 – December 5, 2024
World-renowned Lebanese American scholar of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Al Kabbani passed away peacefully at home in the United States on December 5, surrounded by friends and family. He was 79 years old. The scholar, author and lecturer dedicated nearly six decades to serving the Ummah.
Born on January 28, 1945, in Beirut into a distinguished family of eminent scholars, Shaykh Hisham spent his early years surrounded by an environment rich in learning and spirituality. His academic journey continued at the American University of Beirut, where he studied Chemistry before moving to Belgium to complete his medical degree.
Encouraged by his scholarly family, he pursued Islamic law in Damascus, a decision he saw as a defining moment. He took great inspiration from his time in the presence of Shaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani (1891–1973), the 39th Grand Shaykh of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order, and his Turkish Cypriot successor, Shaykh Muhammad Nâzım Âdil Al-Haqqani (1922–2014). Accompanying them worldwide, Shaykh Hisham became a close confidant of both men and often reflected on how these formative years shaped his wisdom, intellect, and compassion.
On the death of the Grand Shaykh, Shaykh Hisham took his Baiyah (pledge) at the hands of Shaykh Al-Haqqani and the relationship developed to such a level that he married the daughter of his Shaykh.
Photo: Mohammed Shafiq, Broadcaster, British Muslim TV and Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Al Kabbani
In 1991, he was instructed to move to the US and established the Naqshbandi Nazimiyya Sufi Order of America. He settled in Michigan, and today there are over 23 Sufi centres in Canada and the United States. A prolific speaker, he was frequently invited to address students at many prestigious universities, including Oxford, SOAS, Yale, Berkeley, and Columbia, among others.
He often travelled around the world to propagate the message of Islam, witnessing thousands embrace Islam through his efforts. And through his character, many returned to the practice of Islam. That character was based on the Prophetic tradition and was manifested in how he interacted with wider society.
His work enabled him to meet and influence world leaders and politicians. In the aftermath of September 11, he provided the evidence to establish campaigns to counter terrorism and promote tolerance and peace.
He was criticised for meeting President George W Bush and members of his administration in the run-up to the illegal war in Iraq, with members of the US Government claiming he prayed for the President. This led to calls for his boycott from fellow scholars. However, during my interview with him on Ummah Channel, he addressed these accusations head-on. He firmly rejected any insinuation of supporting the war, highlighting that many of those calling for his boycott had also met the President yet faced no such criticism themselves. He was very open in the interview and cleared up the case made against him.
Shaykh Hisham is survived by his wife, Hajjah Naziha Adil, their three sons, daughter, and several grandchildren. His eldest son and successor, Shaykh Dr Noor Al Kabbani has vowed to continue the family tradition of scholarship and service of humanity.
Mohammed Shafiq,
Broadcaster, British Muslim TV
