Sayf ad-Din Boharzi, also known as Abu-l-Mali Saiyd ben-al-Mutahhir, was a towering figure in the Sufi tradition, renowned for his spiritual leadership and scholarly contributions. His life’s work centered around the khanaqah of Fathabad, where he served as the head for nearly four decades. Following his passing in 1261, he was laid to rest in a shrine within the khanaqah’s grounds, which had become a pivotal ideological and spiritual hub for the Sufi community in Fathabad and a revered sanctuary in Bukhara for centuries.
Born in the late 12th century (around 1190) in Bokharz, located in the Khorasan region, Sayf ad-Din Boharzi was destined to leave an indelible mark on the Muslim East as a Sufi sheikh, poet-mystic, and theologian. His educational journey took him to Herat and Nishapur, where he immersed himself in religious and legal studies customary for the era, eventually embracing the path of Sufism. His pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina further enriched his understanding, particularly through his study of «al-Khidaya,» a seminal work in Muslim legal science.
Boharzi’s spiritual odyssey led him to Khorezm, where he became a disciple of the esteemed shaikh Nadjm ad-Din Kubro (1145-1221), the founder of the Kurbawiya Sufi order in Central Asia, who met his end during the Mongol invasion of Khorezm. The Kurbawiya order, a Central Asian bastion of mysticism traditionally aligned with Sunni Islam, traced its spiritual lineage to either Abu Bakr or Ali b Abi Talib.
His hermitage in Bukhara, as chronicled by various sources including the 15th-century poet Abdurakhman Jami, spanned four decades. During this time, Boharzi held a significant role in the city, garnering respect within the community and wielding considerable influence over the Mongol rulers. He served as a mudarris (teacher) and mutavvali (manager of endowment funds) for the Khaniye madrasah, which was unfortunately destroyed amid the tumultuous Genghisid conflicts in Bukhara between 1273 and 1276.
Boharzi’s response to the Mongol conquests was one of active engagement. He witnessed the suffering and moral decay brought about by the invaders and called for a return to authentic values. His efforts to influence Mongol governance were aimed at reinforcing the stature of sheikhs and expressing his dissatisfaction with the rulers’ preference for inexperienced youths over the learned and pious monks.
Under Boharzi’s influence, a segment of the Mongol population began converting to Islam, generously supporting the construction of madrasahs and mosques. Rulers who embraced Islam sought the blessing of Boharzi, including Berkekhan, the younger brother of Batu Khan, who traveled from the Volga region to Bukhara to receive guidance from the esteemed sheikh.
Boharzi’s literary legacy is substantial, with several classic works penned in Arabic and Persian. His writings, such as «Sharkh,» «al-Asma al-Husna,» «Risola dar ishk» (Mystic Love Tractate), «Ruboyat,» «Vokeai Khilvat» (Events in Quiet Time), «Vasiyatnoma,» and «Ruznoma,» continue to be celebrated and studied, bearing testament to his profound impact on Sufism and Islamic scholarship.
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