Is Imam Ahmed Al-Rifa'i a descendant of Al-Hussein ibn Ali, and is the lineage of the Rifa'is to Al-Hussein valid?
Sheikh Ahmed Al-Rifa'i is not from the Household of the Prophet (Ahl al-Bayt), according to the opinion of many scholars. He is of Arab origin, from the tribe of Banu Rifa'ah, and lived in Umm Ubaydah, between Basra and Wasit. His origin is from Morocco, then he settled in the Batha'ih. He is the founder of the Rifa'i Sufi order. He lived from 512-580 AH and had no descendants. He was an Imam, a worshipper, an ascetic, and the Sheikh of the Gnostics.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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