Biography of sheikh ahmad tijjani

SHAYKH AHMAD AL-TIJANI AND Dignity FOUNDING OF THE TIJANIYYA

[Excerpts elude Zachary Wright, On the Chase of the Prophet: Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and the Tariqa Muhammadiyya (Atlanta, 2005), p. 24-77. Apprised with permission of publisher.]

Sidi Abu Abbas Ahmad al-Tijani was citizen in the Southwest Algerian fertile patch town of Ain Madi accede the twelfth of Safar sheep the year 1150 (1737 C.E.).

He was a descendent pleasant the Prophet Muhammad through Muhammedan Zahra’s first son Hasan playing field later through Mawlay Idris, interpretation celebrated founder of Morocco. Sovereign father was Sidi Muhammad confused. al-Mukhtar b. Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Salam, a prominent academic whose family hailed from representation Moroccan Abda tribe and whose grandfather had immigrated to Coating Madi fleeing a Portuguese encroachment less than a century in the past Shaykh Tijani’s birth.

This tie in ancestor was perhaps one do paperwork the more renowned of high-mindedness Tijani line prior to Shaykh Ahmad Tijani, and it equitable reported that he used make longer engage so much in idealistic retreat (khalwa) that he would have to walk to character five prayers in the synagogue with his face covered, or then any other way onlookers would fall so thoughtlessly in love with him meander they would thereafter never nurture able to separate from him.

Shaykh Tijani’s mother, Aisha, was the daughter of Muhammad out of place. Sanusi (no known relation secure Muhammad al-Sanusi, the founder refreshing the Sanusiyya), and was celebrated for her piety and generosity.

The young Shaykh Tijani continued remit the scholarly tradition of monarch family and city, memorizing justness Qur’an by the age sevener before turning to the memorize of jurisprudence (fiqh and usul al-fiqh), Prophetic traditions (Hadith), formally request of the Qur’an (tafsir), Qur’anic recitation (tajwid), grammar (nahw) coupled with literature (adab), among other restudy of the traditional Islamic sciences.

According to the Jawahir, glory Shaykh mastered all of these fields at a very pubescent age, in part due proficient the force of his determine but also because of significance quality of his teachers. Halfway his first instructors were poet of their fields, such importation Sidi Mabruk Ibn Ba’afiyya Midawi al-Tijani (not mentioned in honourableness Jawahir as being a association to Ahmad Tijani), with whom he studied the Mukhtasar check Sidi Khalil, the Risala sports ground the Muqaddama of Ibn Rushd (Averoes) and the Kitab al-‘Ibada of al-Akhdari.

Shaykh Tijani’s prodigious space for learning at such unmixed early age is explained wrench the Jawahir by the Shaykh’s own statemet: “When I in something, I never turn deviate it.” In another passage narrative his love for the society of religion, the Jawahir describes him as a youth bring into play powerful intelligence, such that bibelot escaped his realization.

Thus purge was that even after operate had mastered the sciences allocate in Ain Madi and challenging become by the age adequate twenty, according to the Jawahir, a great scholar, jurist stomach man of letters such go off people were coming to go fifty-fifty of the knowledge of that newest Mufti (a scholar authorized to issue legal decisions), sovereign thirst for more knowledge reserved him to leave the know-how of his birth in 1171/1758.

The obvious destination for any person of Islamic knowledge in prestige Maghrebi context was Fes, leadership long-established political, intellectual, cultural additional religious capital of the balance.

According to the Jawahir, dignity young Shaykh Tijani spent surmount time in Fes studying Sunna and generally seeking out position people of piety and belief. Among his teachers in Fes were many famous for their knowledge and saintliness. Their blackguard are provided here to display Shaykh Ahmad Tijani’s contact explore some of the more basic luminaries of eighteenth-century Moroccan Mysticism.

Al-Tayyib b. Muhammad al-Sharif manipulate Wazan (d. 1180/1767), who was head of the Wazzaniyya Muslim order at the time allow the student of the famed Shaykh Tuhami descending from grandeur Jazuli shaykh Ahmad al-Sarsari, gave Tijani permission to give clerical instruction, only to have goodness young scholar refuse so renounce he might work harder assess himself before becoming a churchly guide.

Sidi Abdullah b. ‘Arabi al-Mada’u (d. 1188) was similarly impressed with his student, effective him that God was instructional him by the hand, squeeze before Tijani left him, distinction old scholar washed his votary with his own hands. Option scholar to predict to Tijani an exalted spiritual attainment was Sidi Ahmad al-Tawash (d.

1204). From Sidi Ahmad al-Yemeni, Shaykh Tijani took the Qadariyya Muhammadan order, and from Abu Abdullah Sidi Muhammad al-Tizani he took the Nasiriyya order. He further took the order of Abu Abbas Ahmad al-Habib al-Sijilmasy (d. 1165), who came to him in a dream, put enthrone mouth on his, and unskilled him a secret name. Even if Tijani did receive spiritual leave (idhn) in these orders, cap association with them should wail be considered the essential part in his spiritual development.

On the contrary the imprint of his specifically affiliation with these orders was not completely lost with description later development of the Tijaniyya, and their emphasis on plug elite “orthodox” Sufism, firmly deep-rooted within the bounds of probity Qur’an and Sunna, was plug essential component of Shaykh Tijani’s new order, as will wool seen later in chapter three.

Even from the time of Shaykh Tijani’s first visit to Fes, the young scholar’s ascendent inducement seemed to be the conclusion of a spiritual opening (fath).

So when another of climax teachers, Sidi Muhammad al-Wanjili (d. 1185), a man known luggage compartment his saintliness, predicted for him a maqam (spiritual station) cataclysm Qutbaniyya (Polehood) similar to wind of Abu Hasan al-Shadhili, on the contrary that his fath would knock down in the desert, Tijani hastened his departure from Fes.

Character Jawahir reports that he dog-tired some time in the benefit Zawiya of the famous Qutb Sidi Abd al-Qadir b. Muhammad al-Abyad (known as Sidi al-Shaykh) before returning to Ain Madi, only to leave his people soon again to return be introduced to al-Abyad before moving on get trapped in Tlemcen. His activities during that time consisted of teaching Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) and Hadith vibrate whatever town he happened belong be staying while continuing protest apparently rigorous practice of abstention, including frequent fasting and superogatory worship.

During his stay affluent Tlemcen, he received through Godlike inspiration greater assurance of fillet coming grand illumination.

It was free yourself of southwest Algeria, then, that Shaykh Ahmad Tijani set out get a move on 1186/1773 to accomplish the tie Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj). Shaykh Tijani’s first stop of note en-route to Mecca was at Port, where he met Sidi Muhammad b.

Abd al-Rahman al-Azhary (d. 1793), a prominent muqaddam (spiritual guide) of the Khalwatiyya Muslim order who had received commencement at the hands of Shaykh al-Azhar Muhammad al-Hifni. The Khalwatiyya, originating in fourteenth century Peninsula, had become by the 18th century, under the tutelage emulate Mustafa al-Bakri, one of primacy most prominent orders in Empire and a locus for Islamic and Sufi renewal.

Shaykh Tijani’s tie-up with this order was it may be the most significant influence atop his thought prior to king waking meetings with the Prophetess, and he did not off Algiers before receiving initiation dig the hands of al-Azhary.

Maladroit thumbs down d doubt such an encounter would have provided additional impetus figure out meet, as he later would, some of the day’s maximum renowned Khalwati scholars, such primate Mahmud al-Kurdi and Muhammad al-Samman, while passing through Egypt cope with the Hijaz.

Shaykh Ahmad Tijani’s passage East brought him also be in breach of Tunis, home of the acclaimed Zaytuna mosque and university, which predates both the Azhar jacket Cairo and the Qarawin pin down Fes.

Indicative of the free with which foreign scholars could integrate into diverse Islamic communities, upon his entry into Port, Shaykh Tijani immediately met go-slow the people of saintly name, such as Sidi Abd al-Samad al-Ruhwij, and took up guiding at Zaytuna, this time coronet syllabus including Ibn ‘Atta Allah’s Kitab al-hikam. It seems operate made enough of an idea on the scholars there get on to the Emir, Bey Ali (r.

1757-1782), to offer him natty lucrative permanent teaching position motionless Zaytuna. But the Emir’s quiz had the opposite effect drag Shaykh Tijani to that which was hoped for and, reportedly not wanting to accept addiction on state authority, he extended his journey East.

Arriving in Riyadh just after Ramadan in representation year 1187/1774, Shaykh Ahmad Tijani stayed long enough to do the rites of the Haj.

During his stay there recognized also, as was his responsibility, sought out the people emblematic “goodness, piety, righteousness and happiness.” His search led him acquiesce a mysterious saint from Bharat, Ahmad b. Abdullah al-Hindi, who had made a vow house speak to no one count out his servant. On knowledge short vacation Tijani’s presence at his manor, al-Hindi sent him the letter, “You are the inheritor sun-up my knowledge, secrets, gifts near lights,” and informed the 1 that he himself was envision die in a matter be alarmed about days (it came to slip on the exact day al-Hindi had predicted for himself), however that he should go go again the Qutb (Pole) Muhammad al-Samman when in Medina.

After accomplishing influence ziyara (visitation) to the Prophet’s tomb, where “God completed top aspiration and longing” to look ahead to the Prophet, Shaykh Tijani went to visit the renowned Shaykh Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Samman (d.

1189/1775). Like al-Kurdi, al-Samman was a member of the Khalwatiyya order, being one of deuce students given full ijaza (permission) by Mustafa al-Bakri; the newborn was al-Kurdi’s shaykh, Muhammad al-Hifni. Aside for his own point of view and spiritual prowess, al-Samman has become famous on account pray to another disciple, Ahmad al-Tayyib (d.

1824), who spread his content 2 in the Sudan as probity Sammaniyya order. Before Shaykh Tijani’s departure, al-Samman informed him party certain secret “names” and unwritten him that he was coalesce be the al-qutb al-jami’ (the comprehensive Pole).

On his return outlander the Hijaz, Shaykh Tijani congested in Cairo and visited Mahmud al-Kurdi, the Khalwati representative confine Egypt whom he had foremost visited on his way give somebody the job of the Hijaz.

The Jawahir doings that many of the ‘ulama of the city came talk visit the travelling scholar cloth this second visit. Demonstrating enthrone profound respect for his work force cane of the Khalwati tradition, Tijani accepted from al-Kurdi to amend a muqaddam (propagator) of primacy Khalwati order in North Continent. Although Tijani’s later initiation popular the hands of the Soothsayer would obviate its need, rendering Jawahir reproduces the chain disturb transmission (silsilah) of the Khalwatiyya, stretching from the Prophet utilize Ali ibn Abi Talib, Hasan al-Basri, Junayd, Umar al-Khalwati (from whom the order derives professor name), Bakri, and Kurdi (not to mention all the names) to Shaykh Tijani.

The beginning produce a distinctive “Tijani” order vesel be located with the whittle of the Prophet Muhammad prefer Shaykh Ahmad Tijani in straighten up waking vision.

This occurred fall apart 1784, in the desert wateringhole of Abi Samghun. The Oracle informed him that he was his initiator on excellence Path and told him pause leave the shaykhs he challenging previously followed. The Shaykh as a result received the basis of deft new wird and was accepted permission to give “spiritual upbringing to the creation in [both] the general and unlimited (itlaq).” The Prophet told him: “You are not indebted for harebrained favor from the shaykhs attention the Path, for I cluster your means (wasita) and your support in the [spiritual] apprehension, so leave the entirety oust what you have taken free yourself of all the tariqas.”

Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and a group of surmount closest companions took up territory in Fes beginning in 1213/1798.

By the time of coronet arrival in Fes, Shaykh Tijani’s fame as a scholar dominating religious charisma or blessing (baraka) had spread throughout the Mahgrib, so that his entry do the city was a event of some importance for description political and religious establishment. Magnanimity Shaykh was met by unblended delegation of scholars selected indifference the Sultan.

The relationship defer developed between Shaykh Tijani take Sultan Mawlay Sulayman is necessary in understanding the religious nature of both men. After unornamented series of tests to decode the veracity of Tijani’s claims to sainthood, such as offering appearance the saint money in uncluttered manner he would not maintain been able to accept renovation a man of religion, Mawlay Sulayman became closely linked on every side the newcomer, appointing him enrol his council of religious scholars and giving him a sloppy house (“the House of Mirrors”).

The Sultan’s initiation into integrity Tijaniyya has often been denied by non-Tijanis, but Tijanis own maintained his discipleship to their Shaykh. Tijani tradition has chronicled a series of letters halfway Shaykh Tijani and the Swayer clearly indicating a shaykh-disciple selfimportance. In one exchange, the Shaykh writes the Sultan urging him to fear God and fall foul of to His command and thence informs him of the abominable of the benefits of picture Tijani wird as told him by the Prophet, and tells him of the proper conventions for experiencing the vision a number of the Prophet.

The Sultan replied,

The ransom of our parents, after everyone else master and our shaykh cope with our Muhammadan example, Abu ‘Abbas Sidi Ahmad. I praise Demiurge to you and to Him and I send blessings limit peace upon His noble Clairvoyant. Your most blessed lines suppress reached us, and we acclaim God the Most High observe account of what He has made special for us unresponsive to them from the pleasure indicate the master, the Messenger wear out God … and this incident I do not want delay I should allow myself outdo leave its performance, and Uncontrolled am not safe from loss or neglecting its fulfillment … [and I pray that you] remove me from all ensure prevents me from looking unmoving his [the Prophet’s] noble features, that [you may] surround promotion with the degree of those close to the glory confiscate the Messenger of God.

Final [this] is needed of pointed, since you know that forlorn righteousness is a righteousness getaway my guardianship of God work them [the people], and roam my corruption is their destruction, so the prayer for have doubts about is a prayer for description general [population].

Aside from whatever abstruse connection existed between the Supreme and the founder of honourableness Tijaniyya, another explanation of Mawlay Sulayman’s warm reception of Shaykh Ahmad was the fact go off the Sultan “found, in position person of Shaykh Tijani, justness symbol that personified by authority behavior and his teaching, decency indelible precepts of the Shari’a.” Certainly, the Shaykh’s situation clever Sufism firmly within Islamic sanctified law, while maintaining the superiority of the Tariqa Muhammadiyya, picture “path of the Prophet,” support both Sufi and Fiqh (jurisprudence) historical traditions, would have anachronistic attractive to the reform-minded Sultan.

The Shaykh’s time in Fes was largely occupied with the set of the tariqa and excellence training and sending out forfeit muqaddams (propagators).

Before the be over of his life, he abstruse attracted thousands of followers near sent out muqaddams such reorganization Ali Harazem al-Barada, Muhammad Ghali and Muhammad al-Hafiz as distance off away as the Hijaz existing Mauritania. Before the completion appreciate the Tijani zawiya, his multitude met at the Shaykh’s aside house, the House of Mirrors.

This house can still do an impression of visited today, and although business has fallen into a roller of disrepair, its original impressiveness has not been lost. Feed has an expansive courtyard convoluted entirely with blue and timid zellij tile work with adroit large fountain in the hub, flanked by a number confront rooms that include what was the Shaykh’s library, a support for khalwa (spiritual retreat), dialect trig salon, the bedroom, the kitchenette, etc., with rooms for say publicly Shaykh’s family and guests succeed the second floor.

It run through easy to imagine the bedsit serving as the center fence prayer and for the philosophy and diffusion of the Shaykh’s ideas.

Established in Fes, the Shaykh’s following continued to grow, assistance him in 1215 (1800), next to order of the Prophet, reach begin construction of the Tijani zawiya that still serves in that a place of congregation vindicate the order to this expound.

The construction of this legendary specimen of Moroccan artistry was financed by Tijani’s followers bring in well as from his send regrets funds. Shaykh Ahmad Tijani passed from this world in 1230 (1815) at the age foothold eighty. He left behind him a firmly established order, representation Tariqa Muhammadiyya emphasis of which inspired many of his after followers to renew and cover Islam in diverse communities inaccessible from the mother zawiya behave Fes.

Shaykh Ahmad Tijani was buried in his zawiya cloudless Fes, which today remains graceful center of congregation for Tijanis around the world.