His father is the pious Gnostic Salama Hasan al-Radi. Ibrahim Salama al-Radi was born in the month of Rabie’ al-Awwal in 1341 AH. From a very early age, his father singled him out for special attention best reflected in the following recommendation:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and upon his household, Companions, and those who believe in and follow him. To proceed:
I have guided you only so that you and I may become as one, so be mindful of this matter. Anything else is of no consequence and therefore pay no heed to it. I see this in you and can smell the fragrance of honesty in you. You have the glad tidings of our love and must remain steadfast on our principle. May Allah take charge of your guidance with His grace and munificence.
Ameen
Ibrahim Salama al-Radi undertook the order’s leadership after his father’s death. Through the wisdom and firm will granted to him by Allah, he was able to competently lead the order based on careful and wise planning that aimed to unite hearts under the love of Allah the Almighty and within a framework of love and fraternity. Under his leadership, the order reached its golden age, spread to all regions, and attained a distinguished status among the other Sufi orders.
His disciples’ guidance along the lines of Islamic Sufi education carried the sheikh’s imprint. His books reflecting his expansive knowledge and secrets include Murshid al-Murid fil Fiqh wal Tasawwuf wal Tawheed; Muftah al-Ghuyub fi Tib al-Qulub; and al-Murid al-Kamel wal Nasiha; and Lamahat Hamdiyya wa Ghayriha. He was an avid reader, eloquent, decent, polite, good-natured, tender-hearted, possessed expansive knowledge, and was known for his good manners, humility, and generosity. He was also handsome and well groomed.
His crowded study circles were tantamount to a school for instruction, refinement, and guidance over which love, rapport, and fraternity prevailed. In his study circles, he explored the subjects of fiqh (jurisprudence) and Sufism and held frank and comprehensive discussions on topics in different fields. With keen and open hearts, his disciples flocked to attend his sessions to obtain his guidance and attain some of his knowledge.
He crowned his work with establishing al-Majma’ al-Islami and al-Hamdiyya al-Shadhliyya Mosque (where his shrine lies). Through the services it offers in the various religious, social, and health fields, it became the largest Islamic institution in Greater Cairo.
He died in 1396 AH.