Said Afandi Chirkey is probably the most famous of modern Dagestan preachers and theologians, who was a supporter of Sufism, one of the mystical trends of Islam. He died as a result of the terrorist attack, which was arranged by an underground terrorist organization.
This article will tell about the biography and activities of this Muslim spiritual mentor and Sufi, who is respected by many residents of Dagestan.
Biography of Said-Afandi Chirkey
The future spiritual teacher was born in October 1937 in Dagestan, in the village of Chirkeyi, Buinaksk district. He is an Avar by origin (one of the indigenous peoples of Dagestan). His father died when the boy was seven years old. Despite the difficulties, at the request of his mother, Said still completes the study of the Qur'an and constantly reads namaz.
At fourteen, he began to work as a shepherd to provide financial assistance to his family. Three years he served in the Soviet Army. After that, he again worked as a shepherd. When an earthquake occurred in the Buinaksk region (in 1971), he worked on the construction of the Chirkey hydroelectric station. There he served in the fire brigades and the military guard. At thirty-two, he quit the Chirkey Hydroelectric Power Station.
He decided to become a Sufi and studied Islamic sciences, the works of Islamic scholars and Sufi sheikhs and conducted theological activities. Sheikh considered Abdulhamid-Afandiz from the Inho settlement to be his first spiritual teacher. Said Afandi was married, he has 4 children.
Sufism
Sufism is a trend in Islam that preaches asceticism and a high level of spirituality, one of the main trends of classical Islamic philosophy. The followers of Sufism are called Sufis. This is the most esoteric and mystical Islamic movement.
According to the accepted point of view, the term Sufism is derived from the Arabic word "wool". Islamic scholars divide the history of this mystical trend into several periods: the period of asceticism, the period of Sufism and the period of Sufi orders (tariqas). Due to the spread of the ideas of Sufism among various layers of Islamic society in the 12-13 centuries, the speculative mystical part of this religious direction developed, which is of interest mainly to educated adherents of Islam. At the moment, this Islamic movement plays an important political and social role in the development of Muslim states. Sufism professes a large number of Muslim populations in various countries.
pupils
Afandi is a spiritual sheikh who has the right to distribute the tariffics of the Sufism "Naqshbandiya" and "Schizalia", and can also transmit them to his followers.
According to various estimates, the followers of this person were from ten thousand to twenty-five thousand people living in various regions of the Republic of Dagestan, as well as in other Russian regions - in Siberia, the Moscow Region and the Volga region. Murids (in Sufism they are “faithful disciples”) of Said-Afandi were representatives of many Dagestan peoples. In collective prayers, Sheikh Said of Chirkey gathered, along with the Schizolians, Naqshbandi and Kadiri. According to this Sufi, there is no significant difference between these areas of Islam, because they all lead to Allah. He actively led his theological activities until his death.
Tarikata
Tarikat is a way of spiritual growth and mystical knowledge of Islamic truth. This word in the meaning of "path" is used in the scriptures of Muslims. In essence, tariqas are numerous areas of Sufism that strongly influence the social life of the Islamic world. Adherents of Islamic asceticism, who initially followed the path of spiritual exaltation and suppression of their passions, in the 11th century united around spiritual mentors into tariqas. Their centers were numerous Muslim prayer houses. It is traditionally believed that during 12-13 centuries, twelve basic fraternities, or, as they are also called, orders, developed in Sufism.
Nashid Said-Afandi
Nashid is an Islamic chant, in the classical version it should be performed by a male voice solo or in a choir without playing musical instruments. The use of musical instruments, according to many Islamic scholars and spiritual teachers, including the founders of four of the main legal schools of Islam, is prohibited. Many theologians dedicated Nashida to Said-afandi after his death, venerating him. In Dagestan, Nasheeds are sung mainly in the Avar language.
The works of Sheikh Afandi
Afandi wrote a large number of theological works that deal with the interpretation of the Koran. The book “History of the Prophets” is accessible and interesting, relying on such respected sources as the interpretation of the Qur'an, hadiths and books of influential scholars, the author tells about the difficult and sometimes tragic fate of the Islamic prophets from Adam to the main Islamic prophet Muhammad. The book is designed for a wide range of readers - from students of Muslim history to ordinary inhabitants.
Said-Afandi books are very popular and respected among theologians and ordinary Avars. His writings give a broad interpretation of some chapters of the holy book of Muslims, especially important for today. Muslims can make sure that literal translations of the holy book cannot convey the true meaning and depth of the Qur'an. The History of the Prophets is published in two parts, in Russian and Avar.
Family life
Said-afandi al Chirkawi has been married to his wife Uzalifat for more than forty years. He believed that in our time there are not many families that can boast of strong marriage, good relations and complete harmony. More and more problems arise in families, more and more divorces, more and more family ties are being destroyed. And the consequences of this phenomenon are all other difficulties: a high level of crime, prostitution, lack of moral values, many crippled lives.
The best role models for Muslim women of all generations were the wives of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, Said-afandi considered.
Uzalivat Haji, the wife of a respected Sufi, also believes that the most important thing for a woman is respect for her husband from the very first minute of marriage, respectful attitude to him and clear performance of all his duties - both his wife and mother. A woman should not argue with her husband; every word should be treated with respect and understanding. Said-afandi’s wife said in an interview that she never asked too many questions, she didn’t disturb her husband for nothing, she simply cooked and raised children. Well-educated and grateful children are the fruit of harmonious family relationships.
Terrorist attack in the village of Chirkey
In August 2012, the media reported the death of Saeed-Afandi. At about five o'clock in the evening, an explosion occurred in his house, as a result of which seven people died, including a sheikh and a suicide bomber. The assassination of Said-afandi was organized by a large bad underground. According to operational services, the terrorist is Aminat Kurbanova (Russian Muslim Alla Saprykina), who was the wife of one of the members of the terrorist organization.
Suicide bomber
According to the official representative of the investigating authorities of Russia, during the investigation it was established that the suicide bomber was prepared by a well-known figure in the terrorist underground - Abdul Malik. Responsibility for the terrorist attack in the house of a religious leader who lived in the settlement of Chirkey was assumed by the group of suicide bombers "kiykadze" Riyad al-Salihin. Saprykina was a true religious fanatic and called on her like-minded people to jihad, a holy war. After her death, her child is brought up by her mother-in-law, the mother of her first husband Kurbanov.
Thirty-year-old Aminat Kurbanova converted to Islam after she married Murat Kurbanov, who had gone to an illegal position and was liquidated by special services. Her second husband was an accomplice of terrorists and took part in the arson of markets that traded alcohol. He was arrested when he was about to go underground forever. During the search, extremist brochures and weapons were found.
Sheikh's funeral
Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral of a Sufi sheikh. August 29 in the Republic of Dagestan declared a day of mourning on the occasion of the death of Sheikh Saeed al-Afandi. The President of the Republic also instructed all officials in cities and regions to assemble self-defense units, groups of young men, who, under the leadership and together with law enforcement agencies, will work to ensure security, and to bring bandits and terrorists to justice.