Shaykh Muhammad Amin al-Kurdi Naqshbandi (RA) - Biography

Sayyidina Mohammed Amin Al-Kurdi

(His shrine lies next to al-Shabrawy mosque)

He was born in the second half of the 13th century AH in the city of Erbil, one of the famous cities of Iraq. Under the protection of his Lord and with the blessings and prayers of his sheikh, he traveled to al-Hejaz with the intention of making pilgrimage and visiting the grave of Prophet Mohammedﷺ in Medina. His scholarship was such that he gave lectures in the Prophet’sﷺ mosque, benefiting scholars and the common people alike.

Inspired by a desire to visit the tombs of the members of the Prophet’sﷺ household, he left al-Hejaz for Egypt. In expression of his love for them, he said,

I carry my love for the Prophet’sﷺ household in my heart,

By Allah! I am infatuated with them.

Their love inflames my heart like the mixing of light with tears.

Briefly after his arrival in Egypt, he joined al-Azhar, drinking from its knowledge and adding to it.

He began to proclaim the path of his Naqshbandi sheikhs and accepted disciples into the order, influencing a great many of the masses and sheikhs. Mohammed al-Amin al-Kurdi was famous for his book Tanweer al-Qulub, which is of great value in the science of tawheed (theology), fiqh (jurisprudence), and akhlaq (ethics). In the book, he mentions the virtues of one of the many sunnas neglected by Muslims, that of using the siwak (tooth stick) of which the Prophetﷺ said, “Were it not for the fact that I do not want to make things difficult for my community, I would have commanded them to use the siwak with every ablution.”

He demonstrated the manner of using the siwak which he states is by brushing the teeth laterally using the right hand. Then one is to start brushing the teeth from the right side from the back moving towards the front and then start brushing the left side in the same manner. During the process, one is to brush the surface and inside of the teeth and molars and the palate and then say, “O Allah! Whiten my teeth and strengthen my gums. [O Allah!] Make my epiglottis/uvula strong and bestow your blessings, O You Who are most merciful.”

He afterwards mentions the numerous virtues of using the siwak.

Mohammed Amin al-Kurdi died in Rabie’ al-Awwal in 1332 AH.