To fully reflect that is the Tasawwuf morality. Tasawwuf has been emphasized by our forefathers as the cornerstone of Islam. He who organize his life according to the wisdom of Tasawwuf is worthy of attaining the highest status and blessings. That is why the Sheikhs and spiritual scholas who visited our county in the early days were very interested in guiding the people in Tasawwuf and also establ
ished Zaviyaas for people to engage in activities like Halarah and Dhikr. The fact that many Zaviyaaas have been established all over the country today makes it clear that the senior citizens of our country have been guided according to the Tasawwuf ethos. Thus, Ummu Zavaya located in Colombo is the Zavaya that has been operating continuously for more than a century to guide people in Sufi guidance. No one can deny that Ummu Zavaya played a major role in the development of the field of Tasawwuf ethics in Sri Lanka. Ummu Zavaya will always be distinguished for her great services and great works in our country. This Ummu Zavaya is a great blessing to the people of Sri Lanka, serving as the Headquarters and Administrative Headquarters of the Sri Lankan Shazuliyya Thareeqa. The Ummu Zavaya Was established around 1303 hijri/ 1885 A.D, serving as the head faculty of the Shazuliyaa Thareeqa of the island of Sri Lanka. This was done by the venerable Sheikh Mohammad Nuh Chinna Shaykhuna (rah) of Kayal Pattanam and Great Scholar Allama Ash Sheikh Muhammad Salih Maulana (rah) Established it. Currently our Zavaya is located at No. 19, M.J.M. built in the same place as a much smaller Zavaya. With the passage of time Ummu Zavaya grew enormously and the ikhwans often gathered and performed activities in Ummu Zavaya, so there was a need to expand it. Based on that, Zavaya was rebuilt in 1317 hijri/ 1900 A.D. about 122 years before today. Then the popular name LAAHA BADRUSH SHAZULI (The bright shining of Full Moon of Shazuli) was given in honor of our Ummu Zavaya. When the above term is observed in Arabic calculation it indicates the updated year of its establishment in 1317 hijri. After Ummu Zavaya was rebuilt, it looked like the main mosques in the country at the time. While Ummu Zavaya had been reconstructed and functioning since then, it reached the point of needing to be renovated again in the 1960s, after about 60 years. Due to the increase in the number os ikhwans and the lack of space the need to expand it arose. Holiness Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Al Fassy Al Makky (R.A) showed grate interest in the reconstruction of Ummu Zavaya. The Sheikh showed great interest in the revival and expansion of this Ummu Zavaya, located in the capital city of Sri Lanka. He gathered the ikhwans and made them realize the importance of it. At that time, one of the ikhwans who had gathered there, Late Noordeen Idroos volunteered for this purpose and contributed a lot on the reconstruction works and the Zavaya was renovated & expanded for the second time. Ummu Zavaya was designed to reflect Islamic architecture with a grand majestic appearance that stands as an upright tower today. The reconstruction work started in 1960 and was completed in a year in 1961. Dr. Muhammad Al Fassy Al Makki (R.A) participated in the re-opening ceremony of the Zavaya and inaugurated with his holy presence. Thousands of Ikhwans participated in that day's celebration, which has gone down in the history as an unforgettable event. All the Leaders, Mashaiqs & Calips of the Shazuliyyah Tariqa, when they visit Sri Lank, first visit Ummu Zavay, the Headquartes of the Zavayas, where they are warmly welcomed and housed, then they will go to other Zaviyas in the country. This has been the practice till date. An official letter of request from the administrative leadership of Ummu Zavaya, the HQ of the Shazuliyya Tariqa is necessary for the selection & appointment of a KHALEEFATUL KHULAFA, KHALEEFAS, RAEESUL MUQADDAMEEN or MUQADDAM of the Shazuliyya Tariqa in our country, The request will be accepted only if its officially sent by Ummu Zavaya to Baith Ul Fassi in Makka, Saudi Arabia, the Internatinal HQ of the Shazulliya Tariqa. This authority is a unique feature of our Ummu Zavaya to this extent, our Zavaya has achieved high status and distinction is worth special mention. Ummu Zavaya, the beacon of light in Colombo is a grate blessing to the people of this country, spreading Islamic enlightenment throughout the countey.
