THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAQSHBANDIYYA SUFI ORDER IN CENTRAL ASIA: BRANCHES AND SPIRITUAL LEADERS

This article examines the development of the Naqshbandiyya Sufi order in Central Asia, its principal branches, and the activities of its prominent spiritual leaders. The authors describe the historical formation of the order and its contemporary geographical distribution, with particular attention to its regional characteristics, social influence, and internal structure. The internal branches of the Naqshbandiyya, including Khusaynīya, Mujaddidiyya, and Jahriyya, are examined in detail, while the activities of their communities and shaykhs in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are substantiated through specific historical and contemporary data. The study explores the preservation of Sufism underground during the Soviet period, its revival in the post-Soviet era, and the processes of institutionalization in the contemporary context. The influence of the order is demonstrated through the life histories and religious activities of prominent spiritual figures such as Ibrahim Shaykh and Qurban-Ali Ishan. The article also analyzes charismatic authority within the order, mechanisms of spiritual succession, the transmission of Sufi knowledge, and processes of internal fragmentation. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of Naqshbandi communities in Kazakhstan, their transborder networks, and the activities and legitimacy of their spiritual leaders. The study highlights the role and transformation of Sufism in contemporary society at the intersection of historical, social, and cultural dimensions. The research employs systematic, comparative, historical, and analytical methods. The authors aim to elucidate the contemporary characteristics of the Naqshbandiyya in Central Asia and its role in shaping social consciousness.