Lithograph 7 - Rachid Koraïchi

Lithography

Rachid Koraichi’s lithographs are inspired by the lives and works of ten great mystical, scholarly, and Sufi masters, the most well-known of whom is probably Rumi. These works were awarded the Jameel Prize in London in 2011.

Inspiration from the following Sufi masters: 

Rabi’a al-Adawiyya (c.717-801)

Born in Basra, Iraq, to a very poor family. She was fourth in the sibling order, so her name means "fourth." At her birth, there was not a drop of oil for a lamp, nor any cloth to swaddle her. In the darkness, her father, as if in a prophetic vision, fell asleep. He was told to inform the Emir of Basra that she would be special and bring grace. In this dream, the prophet instructed him to demand 400 pieces of gold for her in his name. It played out as requested, the Emir of Basra having had a similar vision. Rabi’a went on to become the first female figure of Sufism, devoting herself to prayer and a life of asceticism, often having to beg and living on nothing. When she was finally sold into slavery, her owner was said to see a divine light surrounding her. From then on, she devoted her life completely to prayer. In her celibate life, up until her death, she was highly revered for her piety and devotion to God. Her most important and influential work was the establishment of a mystical love, a love of God that required nothing from the beloved in return, which became one of the main components of Sufi philosophy.

Mansour al-Hallaj (858-922)

Born in Iraq, al-Hallaj was a famous mystical writer, revolutionary, and teacher of Sufism. He is famous today for having said, “I am the Truth,” a statement that was perceived as heretical at the time and ultimately led to his execution by crucifixion. He has had a huge influence on modern spirituality, and his works are often seen as being in a constant state of mystical, ecstatic trance with God. Yet he also faced immense criticism from some of his contemporaries for being too radical. While there are a number of legends regarding his life, what is certain is that he suffered profoundly during his time, and his enduring grace in facing this suffering is another aspect of his life that has endured, influencing the concept of martyrdom in Sufi tradition.

Sidi Abdelkader al-Jilani (1077-1166)

Al-Jilani was born in Jilan, Persia, and his name is synonymous with being a descendant of the prophet, so the story goes, through his maternal grandfather. He went to Baghdad at the age of eighteen to study theology and law, where he eventually became the head of a school of legal thought. However, he then withdrew from society, spending years in isolation in the desert, only returning to Baghdad twenty-five years later as a teacher. He was a popular and influential figure, and his teachings spread throughout the world. He founded a Sufi order called the Qadiriyya, which still has many followers today. He is revered by many Muslims as a great saint. He died in 1166 and was buried in a mausoleum that continues to be a destination for pilgrims today.

Sidi Boumediene Chouaib (1126-1197)

Sidi Boumediene Chouaib ibn al-Hussein al-Ansari, known as "Ibn Arabi", was born to a wealthy family in Algiers. He was not only a gifted writer and poet, but he was also a Sufi teacher who is considered one of the most important proponents of Sufism in Al-Andalus. His works and teachings emphasized the importance of a spiritual master, and it is said that he would even pay tribute to this in his own works, which were known for their profound spiritual depth. Even today, thousands of people gather annually at his tomb in Tlemcen to celebrate the legacy of this great teacher, with his work still a topic of intense interest today.

Farid ud-Din Attar (c.1145 – c.1221)

Farid-ud-Din Attar was born in Nishapur, a city in the Khorasan province of Iran. There is little information about his early life, but what is known is that he was a pharmacist and perfumer, hence his name. He is one of the most celebrated and highly respected Sufi poets. His most famous work is The Conference of the Birds, an epic poem about a group of birds that embark on a journey through the seven valleys of love to find their true leader. Along the way, thirty birds survive the perilous quest to find that they are, themselves, their leader. The poem is seen as an expression of the Sufi path, a journey of self-discovery, and the ultimate realization of one's own identity.

Muhyiddin Ibn El-Arabi (1165-1240)

Ibn Arabi was an immense, prolific writer, philosopher, and poet of Andalusian origin. His works have had an incredible impact on Islamic mysticism and beyond. Born in Murcia, Spain, he grew up in Seville during a period of intense cultural exchange, which is reflected in his thought. His works are complex, often containing nested layers of meaning, and he is a challenging author to fully grasp. He traveled extensively throughout his life, spending time in key religious centers such as Mecca, where it is said he wrote over 500 books and treatises on a wide range of topics from mysticism to philosophy. He is best known for his work The Meccan Revelations, an expansive compendium that explores many facets of spiritual existence.

Jalal ad-Din Rûmî (1207-1273)

Rumi was born in Balkh, in what is now present-day Afghanistan. Fleeing the impending Mongol invasion with his family, he settled in Konya, in what is now modern-day Turkey. He was a jurist, theologist, and scholar, but he is most famous today for his ecstatic poetry, which was inspired by his relationship with Shams of Tabriz, a wandering mystic. His major works are the Masnavi, a voluminous collection of poems that explore themes of mystical love, spiritual transformation, and the nature of the divine, and the Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, a collection of poems written for Shams. Rumi is a figure whose work has had a significant impact on literature and poetry, and he continues to be widely read and appreciated today. He has inspired many across cultures, which has led to him being one of the best-selling poets in America.

Ibn Ata Allah al Iskandari (d. 1309)

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, al Iskandari was a jurist, theologian, and a prominent figure in the Shadhili Sufi order. He is best known for his aforismos, or spiritual aphorisms, which are collected in the Kitab al-Hikam or "Book of Wisdom." These aphorisms are considered a masterpiece of Sufi literature and continue to be studied and admired for their depth and relevance to the Sufi path. His works often focus on themes of inner transformation and spiritual awakening, offering practical advice and guidance to those seeking a deeper understanding of God and themselves.

Cheikh Sidi Ahmed Tidjani (1735-1815)

Born in a small oasis in the Algerian Sahara, Cheikh Sidi Ahmed Tidjani was a prominent scholar and a key figure in the founding of the Tidjania Sufi order. He began his studies in religious sciences at a young age, displaying an impressive aptitude for learning. Throughout his life, he traveled and studied under various renowned teachers. He is famous for having received a profound spiritual revelation from the prophet Mohamed, which led him to found a new Sufi order, the Tidjania, emphasizing specific prayers and litanies. The Tidjania has become one of the largest Sufi orders in the world, particularly in West Africa, with millions of adherents today.

Sheikh Ahmad al-Alawi (1869-1934)

Born in Mostaganem, Algeria, to a family of Moroccan descent. While he was not formally educated, he displayed a profound understanding of religious matters. In his twenties, he began working as a laborer in Mostaganem to support his family. He eventually founded his own Sufi order, which was inspired by a vision of the prophet Mohamed, where he was instructed to make the order open to everyone, including those of different faiths. He was an influential figure in North Africa, with a large following, and his order emphasizes a more open and inclusive understanding of Sufism. He was also a prolific writer and poet, whose works focused on spiritual themes and the importance of a direct and personal relationship with God. He also played an important role in resisting French colonialism, and his order was often involved in political activism, leading to him being imprisoned by French authorities for his actions.

Rachid Koraïchi

Rachid Koraïchi is an internationally renowned artist. His work goes beyond the art of calligraphy and is imbued with deep humanity. Through the softness of his lines, his cultural roots, and his constant innovation, his artistic output is intensely contemporary and multi-faceted (including sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and ceramics). The artist collaborates with the finest artisans worldwide, wherever his encounters take him. His most recent installations and exhibitions can be seen from New York to London, and Dubai.