Mawlana, My Father – A Documentary Tribute to Sheikh Nazim
The film “Mawlana, my Father” recalls the life and teachings of Mawlana Sheikh Nazim through the heartfelt narration of his son, Sheikh Bahauddin. It traces the family from its roots in Damascus and the blessed mountain of Jabal Qasyun to the spiritual centre they built under Mawlana’s guidance. It introduces Haja Anne—the mother of the murids—and her children: Haja Nazihah, Sheikh Mehmed (Mawlana’s successor), the late sister Khadija, Sheikh Bahauddin himself, and Haja Rukiya, who now carries on Haja Anne’s mantle.
Sheikh Bahauddin recalls a childhood spent in the streets of Damascus, playing football and learning discipline both from his father—at once a master and a parent—and from his mother, who taught him reverence for authority. He describes intimate moments with the Grand Sheikh, such as bringing him fresh eggs each morning and sharing tea with honey, rituals that shaped his devotion. He also conveys Mawlana’s humility: his only “wealth” was books and spiritual inheritance; he accepted gifts without counting them and gave what he received to those in need.
The documentary further describes Mawlana’s extensive travels across the Middle East and Europe, his commitment to rescuing souls from the influence of Shaytan, and his preference for study over worldly pastimes. It records moving episodes around the Grand Sheikh’s funeral, Mawlana’s reaction to the passing of his own father, and his final moments in hospital, where, despite a ventilator, he offered a blessed farewell through simple gestures.
Throughout, the film highlights Mawlana’s guiding principle, “Be a good one,” encouraging followers to cultivate inner virtue rather than chase worldly power. It also shows the continuing legacy of the Naqshbandiyya-Aliyya order, now flourishing worldwide under Sheikh Mehmed, Sheikh Bahauddin and their siblings, who offer spiritual guidance, charitable help and a welcoming refuge for all seekers.
“Mawlana, my Father” is both a tribute and a testament to Mawlana Sheikh Nazim’s lasting impact on his family, his murids and the wider Muslim community—a master whose life was defined by humility, scholarship and boundless compassion.
