The First Chapter

The Origin and Development of the Khatmiyya

The establishment of the Khatmiyya order is attributed to Sayyid Muhammad Uthman (al-Khatm), who descended from a family of noble lineage and esteemed status. This family enjoyed a high standing due to the brilliance of its men, their fame for piety and righteousness, and their connection to the Prophetic household. The sources of the order provide a long chain of lineage for Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani, which ultimately connects to al-Husayn ibn Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Messenger (peace be upon him). The lineage of the Mirghani family was strengthened by Sharif al-Murtada al-Zaydi, who approved it after reviewing it. None of the contemporaries of this family doubt its genuine connection to the family of al-Ashraq, which held significant social, religious, and political weight.

However, Dr. Jali (2) believes that the lineage of the Mirghanis (2) has some issues:

First: There is a discrepancy in the number of names in this lineage, as three names mentioned in the narration of Sayyid Ja'far in "Lulu'at al-Hasan al-Sati'ah" are not found in other narrations. Also, the name "Hasan" appears as "Isa" in other narrations, and the name "Bakr" appears as "Abu Bakr."

Second: This lineage proves that al-Hasan al-Khalis, i.e., al-Hasan al-Askari, the eleventh Imam for the Shi'a, had a son named "Ali al-Taqi," from whom the Mirghanis descended. This is not what the Shi'a believe, as they believe that the son of al-Hasan al-Askari is "Muhammad al-Mahdi," who disappeared as a child at the age of five or three. Furthermore, some historians deny the existence of a son for al-Hasan al-Askari, which casts doubt on the continuity of the Mirghani lineage in this manner.

Third: If this lineage were correct in its beginning, it is certain that at a later stage, it became mixed with some non-Arab blood. The names "Mirkhurd," which appear more than once, and "Mirghati," which the Mirghanis claim is a Persian name, are the clearest evidence of this.

(1) Refer to the lineage in: Lulu'at al-Hasan al-Sati'ah fi Ba'd Manaqib Dhi al-Asrar al-Lami'ah wa al-Fuyudat al-Wahbiyyah al-Nafi'ah by Sayyid Muhammad Uthman, p. 4. Translation of Sayyid Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani al-Ujjub al-Makki, may God have mercy on him, Dar al-Mirghani, Miscellaneous, Box No. 1/10, p. 4. In Mawqib Sahib al-Ratib, within Collection 9, Central Documents, Piece No. 111. Al-Rasa'il al-Mirghaniyyah fi Adab al-Tariqah al-Khatmiyyah, pp. 89, 99.

Muhammad (Ibrahim Abu Sulaym): Muqaddimah, 1. Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad Jali (Dr.): Ta'ifat al-Khatmiyyah: Usuluha al-Tarikhiyyah wa Ahammu Ta'alimiha, pp. 14, 141. (2)