Abu'l-Fath al-Wasiti was an Iraqi-born Sufi who served as a khalifa (deputy) of Ahmad al-Rifa'i, the founder of the Rifa'i order. He was dispatched by al-Rifa'i to Egypt, settling in Alexandria to propagate the Rifa'i path, and through him the Rifa'iyya became the first Sufi order to be organized in Egypt. He delivered his teachings at the Attarin Mosque in Alexandria, where he trained his followers in the principles of the order. Sources record that he was the maternal grandfather of Ibrahim al-Dusuqi, and some accounts state that Abu'l-Hasan al-Shadhili also benefited from his guidance. He died in Alexandria in 632 AH (1234-35 CE) and was buried in a shrine located near the tomb of the Companion Abu al-Darda'. Sources: TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi ("Rifâiyye"; "Ahmed er-Rifâî"); Arabic Wikipedia "أبو الفتح الواسطي"; Marefa Encyclopedia.
