Shaykh Mahdi ibn Shaykh Khalaf ibn Shaykh Hasan Abu al-Shamla al-Janabi was a respected Iraqi religious and spiritual figure associated with the Rifa‘i…
Shaykh Mahdi ibn Shaykh Khalaf ibn Shaykh Hasan Abu al-Shamla al-Janabi was a respected Iraqi religious and spiritual figure associated with the Rifa‘i tradition. Remembered among the communities of the Samarra and al-Duluiya region for his piety, generosity and prominent social standing, his family became closely associated with the religious life of the surrounding area. Local tradition preserves his memory as one of the notable Rifa‘i shaykhs of central Iraq, and his grave developed into an established place of ziyarah. His shrine is located in the al-Mu‘tasim area south of Samarra. In October 2014 the shrine was damaged. The site was subsequently restored and continues to be recognised and visited today, preserving the memory of Shaykh Mahdi al-Janabi and the Rifa‘i religious tradition associated with his family.