Martial Arts

Since 1992 Shaykh Taner Ansari has been working to develop a martial practice founded in the physical discipline of the martial art of Pencak Silat and the traditional teachings of Futuwwah (spiritual chivalry) and Sufism. His vision is that this martial practice could be made available to humanity without reference to creed, race or gender. Silat Zulfikari is the culmination of his work and Shaykh Taner is the founder and head of this system and is sole director of its criciulum and activities..

Shaykh Taner has created this because he felt that the world would benefit from the code of chivalry and tools for self development contained within the Treasured Inheritance of the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa and wanted to make these resources available in a more secular format that would be both comfortable and useful for everyone rather than just people drawn to the Sufi path.

The name Silat Zulfikari comes from two words with deep meaning.

Zulfikar is the name of the sword of Ali ibn Abu Talib (ra) who was the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the model for Sufi Chivalry, and the word Silat is taken from "Silaturahim" which means "Brotherhood
and Unity" in Arabic. It also represents the connection to the martial arts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the South Philippines from which we derive most of our physical technique.

So the name can be taken to mean "The Brotherhood of the Sword of Ali"

The system of Silat Zulfikari is, on the physical level, is based predominantly on the West Java family of Silat practices. Specifically from Cimande and Ciualar, with skills also drawn from Sabandar, Raja Monyet and the arts of Mindanao.

The philosophy of Silat Zulfikari is taken from Futuwwah, the practice of "Spiritual Chivalry", which teaches brotherhood, generosity, and noble character.

The teachings of Futuwwah come from the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa (Sufi Order) and are a legecy (pusaka) handed down through the Order for over a thousand years.

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Other Martial Arts supported by Shaykh Taner:

Silat Mubai

Gerakan Suci

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