Habib al-Ajami

Habib al-Ajami (d. 130/747-48; some sources give dates between 113 and 125 AH) was a Basran ascetic of Persian origin, hence his epithet "al-Ajami" (the Persian). Trained in the circle of Hasan al-Basri, he repented of usury and devoted himself to worship, becoming famed as a saint whose prayers were answered. He is the link between Hasan al-Basri and Dawud al-Ta'i in the chains of major orders including the Qadiriyya, Naqshbandiyya and Mevleviyya; his grave in Basra is a place of visitation, though its exact location is not verified by two independent sources. (Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam "Habîb el-Acemî"; Attar, Tadhkirat al-Awliya.)