A Thareeqa is a school of Sufism. A Thareeqa has a murshid (guide) who plays the role of leader or spiritual director of the organization. A Thareeqa is a group of murīdeens desiring the knowledge of knowing God and loving God or "the needy to God's knowledge (الفقير إلى الله).

There are five main Thareeqa in Sufism, Qadriya order , Shazuliya Order, Naqshbandi Order, Chishti Order and Suhrawardi Order. The "Qādirīya order" named after Shaykh `Abd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī (Kadda Sallahu Sirrahul Aziz) is most famous Sufi Saint of this order, the Shazuliya Order named after Imam Abul Hasan ash-Shadhili (Radhiyallahu Anhu), the Naqshbandi Order named after Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari (Radhiyallahu Anhu), the Chishti Order named after Khawaja Moduud Chisti (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and Suhrawardi order named after Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi . Often, ṭuruq are offshoots of another tariqa. For example, the qalandariyya order is offshoot of Suhrawardi order, Nowshahi Order is offshoot of Qadriya order.

Allah has revealed the Deenul Islam to Seyyiduna Ibraheem (Alaihiwa Sallam) with all the four divisions. Since Islam was revealed only to Seyyiduna Ibraheem (Alaihiwa Sallam) the five Prophets who proceeded him were preaching the Thareeqath according to the some soofi scholers. There were no revealed books namely, Thowrath, Zaboor, Injeel and Holy Quran. There for five Prophets propagated the divine command.

From the Seyyiduna Ibraheem (Alaihiwa Sallam) to the time of the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihiwa Sallam) all the Prophets propagated Sharee’ath and Thareeqath. When the Rasul (Sal) preached Islam after the Nubuwwath, he taught Kalima repeatedly to the Sahaba for 11years and nine months. All the verses and Surahs of Qur-an which were revealed to the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihiwa Sallam) during this 11 years and 9 months were emphasizing only Thowheed. After 11 long years and 9 months, the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihiwa Sallam) went to Mi’raj and brought the 5 times prayer (Namaz).

Within 10 months of the ordination of Namaz (Salath), Thareeqath was introduced. This is conformed in the verse 48:18 of the Holy Qur-an. The Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihiwa Sallam) went to Hijrath after ona and a half years. 2 years later, that is three and a half years after the ordination of Threeqath, Fasting came. Zakath and Hajj came later. The holy Qur’an in four places instructs mumins to get Baiath (from spiritual master) about the importance of following Thareeqath in order in Ayaath 48:10-48:18-60:12-72:18.

From this it’s clear that the Thareeqath is much more elevated in position than Fasting, Zakath and Hajj. This is the opinion of some soofees.

Those who want to go in a Spiritual way they have to certainly establish a relationship with a Kamil Shaik and follow his Thareeqath and advices.

The four important stages in Islam, to attain the status of Insaan Kamil(Wilayath). They are division's in Islam namely
01. Sharee’at or the low of relating to the external procedural aspects of worship.
02. The Thareeqath or the spiritual aspect of life.
03. The Haqeeqath or the knowledge with which Allah has blessed some chosen people including the prophets and which Allah has described as “Ilmul Ladunni” vide 15:65 of the Holy Quran.
04. Ma’rifat or the inner knowledge of the hidden aspects relating to the creator.

One of the above mentioned items, three divisions can be acquired by human beings expect the fourth, that is the Ma’rifat which is a spontaneous gift of Allah.

Shareeath, Thareeqath, Haqeeqath and Ma'arifath. Let us detail each of its status and the attributes that could be possessed through these four channels. The support of the Maqamaaths is necessary to be well understood in the process of attaining the highest status of Insaan Kamil, the aim of which is to reach the last and highest stage of Ma'arifath. The Maqamaaths are namely Maqam Nafs, Maqam Qalb, Maqam Rooh, Maqam Sirr, Maqam Qurb and Maqam Wisaal.

Shareeath in the first place will identify a Muslim from a Non-Muslim. In these we practice actions and follow what is prescribed and whatever is rejected. This is more applicable in the status of Maqam Nafs where we show ourselves conscious to the religion than putting into practice the true religion at heart. This Maqam Nafs commences from the age of puberty until death in the majority of Mankind, unless he or she attempts to switch off to the next path, which is Thareeqath. This path cannot be treaded unless the one who desires to attain perfection seeks for a Shaikh Kamil who should be a Waliullah under whose instructions the guidance becomes obligatory to reach the status of Haqeeqath. While in the process of advancing the inner self through the Shaikh Kamil the Shareeath has to be taken into serious consideration. It is with the support of the Shareeath the Shaikh Kamil gives instructions to recite certain Auradhs which will consist from the verses of the Holy Quran, Zikrs and Salawaaths. Putting into regular practice of the instructions and warnings given by the Shaikh Kamil the Murideens gradually switch on to the Maqam Qalb(coming to know ones ownself) though certain amount of misfortunes, hardships and sickness may prevail. The Murideens should give up fearing the Shaithan, but strive hard to cross over the obstacles and reach the Maqam Rooh.

Thareeqath plays a major role in Maqam Rooh which brings the love of the Shaikh Kamil's Rooh to touch at heart the Rooh of the Murideens, who becomes seriously devoted to the Shaikh Kamil and loves Him more than anything in the world(fana fi Shaikh). By completely following the Shaikh Kamil's ways and performing all acts in accordance to the Shareeath with the instructions, having sometimes the misfortunes, hardships and sickness which may also still prevail at this stage too, until the Murideens love for the Shaikh Kamil reaches upto the stage of witnessing the Sirr within his or her ownself through the Shaikh Kamil. Then the Murideen attains the stage of Maqam Sirr. Thareeqath is the path to Haqeeqath with the stage reaching Maqam Qurb.

Haqeeqath becomes the attribute to the soul and body while the Nafs loses its grip and is disappointed because the Shaithan is getting into the chains, on the progress the Murideen attains through his or her love for the Shaikh Kamil. The misfortunes, hardships and sickness gradually paves its way out of the body unable to tolerate the Saboor and Shukoor the Murideen is tamed by the Shaikh Kamil to reach Allahu Jalla Jalaluhu. Now the pride, arrogance, greed, passions etc., which the Murideen had is all burnt, as he or she has attained the stage of Maqam Qurb(nearness to Allahu Jalla Jalaluhu). While strictly following the Shareeath and Thareeqath by the soul and body, all actions within the Murid rises him or her from Rooh into Noor reaching Maqam Wisaal. Though the Murideen will feel much comfortable and relaxing without any bodily and worldly burdens he or she will be experiencing certain amount of imbalances within him or her in reaching the final goal of Maqam Wisaal. At this stage he or she may not go back to lower stages from where they climbed up, but will be eager to attain the last final destination Maqam Wisaal.

Ma'arifath the last highest status for Mankind is thus attained by means of (Mushahada) direct witnessing Allah which is Maqam Wisaal. The body attains the quality of Noor where he or she does not go behind anything in this world, but everything desired comes to them. The body needs nothing of this world whereby the qualities of the Anasirs (earth, water, wind and fire) qualities of the body is completely lost or burnt by the Auraads from the Shaikh Kamil. The Noor of Ma'arifath sparks and turns to experience Karaamaths and are always ready to help those who have not attained such status. Such are Awliyas of Allah who can walk over the fire because the quality of the fire is lost with them. Like Hazrath Ibrahim Alaihissalaam put into the fire by Namrood, but was not burnt. They can walk on the surface of the water because the quality of water is lost with them. Like Hazrath Musa Alaihissalaam split a road in the sea because His followers cannot walk on the water. They can fly in the air because the quality of wind is lost in them. Like the Queen Bilqis's throne was brought within moments to Hazrath Sulaiman Alaihissalaam but their bodies never rot in the graves because they have lost the qualities of earth in their bodies. For all these to be understood and realized well, Allah sent Hazrath Eisa Alaihi salaam as Roohullah. To make the wise understand that none can crucify the Rooh which the Nasranis claim. So the status of Awliyas of Allah are such. Very few people may understand about them.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَ بَارِكْ عَلٰى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاٰلِه وَصَحْبِه ، عَدَدَ مَا فِيْ عِلْمِ اللّٰه صَلَاةً دَائِمَةً بِدَوَامِ مُلْكِ اللّٰه

Allāhumma salli wasallim wa bārik ‘alā sayyidinā Muhammadin waālihi wa sahbihi, adada māfī ‘ilmi-Llāhi salātan dā’imatan bidawāmi mulki-Llāh
O Allāh, bestow your benedictions, peace and blessings upon our liege-lord Muhammad, his family and companions, in the number that is in Thy Knowledge, such that those benedictions may continue forever eternal as Thy Kingdom.

“The Salutation of Aisha” [salatu-l 'â'ishah] is the Prophetic benediction that distinguishes the Aroosiyyathul Qadiriyyah spiritual path [tariqah]. It is one of the three elements of the Hareeqathul Aroosiyyathul Qadiriyyah litany.
In the Shafi’i fiqh compendium, fathu-d dayyân fi fiqhi khairi-l adyân, our Grand-Shaikh, Imam Al-’Arus (may Allah perfume his resting abode), introduces the salutation as follows:

… I give below the salutation [salat] that my spiritual master [shaikh] (i.e. Taika Sahib Abdu-l Qadir al-Kirkari), may Allah have mercy on him, advised me to recite. This is the same salutation that Lady Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) recited ten-thousand or fourteen-thousand (10,000/14,000) times every day. When the Prophet (Allah bless him and gave him peace) came to know of it, he said to her, “You reciting this salutation once will bring you the merit of reciting a hundred-thousand (100,000) salutations.”

Our Shaikhuna has mentioned in his panacea for the body and soul in Al-Munjiyat, that reciting this salutation 1,000 times on Friday nights (i.e. Thursday evenings) is a means to beholding the vision of the beloved Prophet’s blessed countenance in one’s dreams, Allah bless him and give him peace.

The luminous Qur-an exegete [mufassir] Imam Abudl Fadl Jalalud Din Al-Suyuti, Allah be pleased with him, is reported to have said that a single recitation of this salutation (i.e. durûd-e-sa’âdat) yields 600,000 rewards, and anyone who recites it 1,000 times will be fortunate in both worlds.