M.T.O.Shahmaghsoudi®

M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi® was originally called M.T.O. which stood for Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi®. This literally translates into 'The school of the way of Oveyss'. However, after the tireless dedication shown by the previous Master, Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, the 41st Sufi Master of the School, the doors of Sufism: the reality of Religion, were open to students around the world like never before and the school then became known as Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi®.

Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) has said: "Amongst my people there is a man who has the ability to save all believers on judgment day". The Holy Prophet's companions enquired "who is this man?" He said: "A man of God". They replied "We are all men of God, as he has created each one of us." They asked the Prophet "What is his name?" Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) replied "Oveyss". 1

Hazrat Oveyss Gharani lived in Yemen and was a student of the Holy Prophet. However, he never physically met the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) but was able to cognise the teaching through a heart to heart connection with Him and this was later confirmed by his Holiness.

'The teachings of Islam were passed from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to Amir al Momenin. After his assassination, the Umayads came to power, most famous for their worldliness. However, the message of Islam remained intact through an unbroken chain of transmission by the great masters of Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi'. 2

At that time in history, there were two significant figures which represented two different paths to cognition, one was Oveyss Gharani and the other, Salman Farsi. Oveyss Gharani received the guidance of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) inwardly he represents the inward path of cognition and is known for saying: 'Keep thy heart'. 3

Salman Farsi was a Zoroastrian who later converted into Christianity after searching the land for the meaning of life. He eventually discovered what he was looking for after he met the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and as a result became a Muslim. Salman Farsi represents the outward search for knowledge as he physically set on a journey to discover his true self. Hazrat Oveyss Gharani and Salman Farsi both learned and finished inward and outward cognition with Amir Al Momenin but their paths were different.