The
Zahediyeh Sufi Order was founded by Sheikh
Zahed Gilani (Zahid Guilani) of
Lahijan. As a precursor to the
Safaviyeh Order, which was yet to culminate in the
Safavid Dynasty, the Zahediyeh Order and its
Murshid, Sheikh
Zahed Gilani, reserve a distinct place in the history of
Iran.
The Turkish Bayrami and Jelveti orders are derived from him.