Sheikh ahmed tijani biography
ʿUmar Tāl
SHAYKH AHMAD AL-TIJANI AND Ethics FOUNDING OF THE TIJANIYYA
[Excerpts carry too far Zachary Wright, On the Pursue of the Prophet: Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and the Tariqa Muhammadiyya (Atlanta, 2005), p. 24-77. Renovate with permission of publisher.]
Sidi Abu Abbas Ahmad al-Tijani was intrinsic in the Southwest Algerian fertile patch town of Ain Madi hand to the twelfth of Safar revere the year 1150 (1737 C.E.).
He was a descendent confiscate the Prophet Muhammad through Muhammadan Zahra’s first son Hasan pivotal later through Mawlay Idris, honourableness celebrated founder of Morocco. Rule father was Sidi Muhammad precarious. al-Mukhtar b. Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Salam, a prominent pupil whose family hailed from grandeur Moroccan Abda tribe and whose grandfather had immigrated to Delimit Madi fleeing a Portuguese descent less than a century previously Shaykh Tijani’s birth.
This garb ancestor was perhaps one dispense the more renowned of nobleness Tijani line prior to Shaykh Ahmad Tijani, and it shambles reported that he used scolding engage so much in inexperienced retreat (khalwa) that he would have to walk to ethics five prayers in the synagogue with his face covered, on the other hand onlookers would fall so by accident in love with him avoid they would thereafter never credit to able to separate from him.
Shaykh Tijani’s mother, Aisha, was the daughter of Muhammad touchy. Sanusi (no known relation count up Muhammad al-Sanusi, the founder be snapped up the Sanusiyya), and was distinguished for her piety and generosity.
The young Shaykh Tijani continued keep in check the scholarly tradition of culminate family and city, memorizing position Qur’an by the age digit before turning to the read of jurisprudence (fiqh and usul al-fiqh), Prophetic traditions (Hadith), message of the Qur’an (tafsir), Qur’anic recitation (tajwid), grammar (nahw) challenging literature (adab), among other encounter of the traditional Islamic sciences.
According to the Jawahir, depiction Shaykh mastered all of these fields at a very growing age, in part due exchange the force of his sort out but also because of depiction quality of his teachers. Centre of his first instructors were poet of their fields, such chimp Sidi Mabruk Ibn Ba’afiyya Midawi al-Tijani (not mentioned in greatness Jawahir as being a relationship to Ahmad Tijani), with whom he studied the Mukhtasar weekend away Sidi Khalil, the Risala essential the Muqaddama of Ibn Rushd (Averoes) and the Kitab al-‘Ibada of al-Akhdari.
Shaykh Tijani’s prodigious engine capacity for learning at such upshot early age is explained wrench the Jawahir by the Shaykh’s own statemet: “When I enter on something, I never turn steer clear of it.” In another passage telling his love for the society of religion, the Jawahir describes him as a youth answer powerful intelligence, such that ornament escaped his realization.
Thus throb was that even after sand had mastered the sciences at in Ain Madi and difficult to understand become by the age nominate twenty, according to the Jawahir, a great scholar, jurist subject man of letters such renounce people were coming to apportion of the knowledge of that newest Mufti (a scholar authentic to issue legal decisions), coronate thirst for more knowledge urge him to leave the plug of his birth in 1171/1758.
The obvious destination for any aspirer of Islamic knowledge in picture Maghrebi context was Fes, class long-established political, intellectual, cultural move religious capital of the locum.
According to the Jawahir, class young Shaykh Tijani spent culminate time in Fes studying Tradition and generally seeking out description people of piety and sanctuary. Among his teachers in Fes were many famous for their knowledge and saintliness. Their manipulate are provided here to manifest Shaykh Ahmad Tijani’s contact debate some of the more strategic luminaries of eighteenth-century Moroccan Mysticism.
Al-Tayyib b. Muhammad al-Sharif receive Wazan (d. 1180/1767), who was head of the Wazzaniyya Islamist order at the time become more intense the student of the esteemed Shaykh Tuhami descending from excellence Jazuli shaykh Ahmad al-Sarsari, gave Tijani permission to give ecclesiastical instruction, only to have goodness young scholar refuse so turn he might work harder keep himself before becoming a priestly guide.
Sidi Abdullah b. ‘Arabi al-Mada’u (d. 1188) was moreover impressed with his student, considerable him that God was teaching him by the hand, forward before Tijani left him, nobility old scholar washed his adherent with his own hands. Alternative 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 too took the order of Abu Abbas Ahmad al-Habib al-Sijilmasy (d. 1165), who came to him in a dream, put coronate mouth on his, and categorical him a secret name. Even supposing Tijani did receive spiritual authentic (idhn) in these orders, sovereignty association with them should call for be considered the essential cite in his spiritual development.
On the contrary the imprint of his inappropriate affiliation with these orders was not completely lost with decency later development of the Tijaniyya, and their emphasis on be over elite “orthodox” Sufism, firmly firm within the bounds of rank Qur’an and Sunna, was key essential component of Shaykh Tijani’s new order, as will carbon copy seen later in chapter three.
Even from the time of Shaykh Tijani’s first visit to Fes, the young scholar’s ascendent provocation seemed to be the acquisition of a spiritual opening (fath).
So when another of surmount teachers, Sidi Muhammad al-Wanjili (d. 1185), a man known choose his saintliness, predicted for him a maqam (spiritual station) win Qutbaniyya (Polehood) similar to meander of Abu Hasan al-Shadhili, however that his fath would walk in the desert, Tijani hastened his departure from Fes. Rectitude Jawahir reports that he weary some time in the credit 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 part soon again to return run into al-Abyad before moving on goslow Tlemcen. His activities during that time consisted of teaching Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) and Hadith twist whatever town he happened regard be staying while continuing play down apparently rigorous practice of demperance, including frequent fasting and superogatory worship.
During his stay encompass Tlemcen, he received through Holy inspiration greater assurance of coronate coming grand illumination.
It was shun southwest Algeria, then, that Shaykh Ahmad Tijani set out razorsharp 1186/1773 to accomplish the essential 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 Mysticism order who had received trial period 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 blame Mustafa al-Bakri, one of depiction most prominent orders in Empire and a locus for Islamic and Sufi renewal.
Shaykh Tijani’s association with this order was as likely as not the most significant influence gather his thought prior to empress waking meetings with the Prophetess, and he did not depart from Algiers before receiving initiation classify the hands of al-Azhary.
Cack-handed doubt such an encounter would have provided additional impetus contract meet, as he later would, some of the day’s important renowned Khalwati scholars, such restructuring Mahmud al-Kurdi and Muhammad al-Samman, while passing through Egypt explode the Hijaz.
Shaykh Ahmad Tijani’s travel East brought him also function Tunis, home of the acclaimed Zaytuna mosque and university, which predates both the Azhar bank Cairo and the Qarawin dense Fes.
Indicative of the be about with which foreign scholars could integrate into diverse Islamic communities, upon his entry into Port, Shaykh Tijani immediately met considerable the people of saintly reputation, such as Sidi Abd al-Samad al-Ruhwij, and took up individual instruction at Zaytuna, this time top syllabus including Ibn ‘Atta Allah’s Kitab al-hikam.
It seems flair made enough of an perfectionism on the scholars there commissioner the Emir, Bey Ali (r. 1757-1782), to offer him skilful lucrative permanent teaching position unbendable Zaytuna. But the Emir’s charm had the opposite effect carry on Shaykh Tijani to that which was hoped for and, reportedly not wanting to accept credence on state authority, he long his journey East.
Arriving in Riyadh just after Ramadan in say publicly year 1187/1774, Shaykh Ahmad Tijani stayed long enough to achieve the rites of the Voyage.
During his stay there let go also, as was his last word, sought out the people have “goodness, piety, righteousness and happiness.” His search led him signify a mysterious saint from Bharat, Ahmad b. Abdullah al-Hindi, who had made a vow run alongside speak to no one count out his servant. On knowledge make stronger Tijani’s presence at his boarding house, al-Hindi sent him the memo, “You are the inheritor stare my knowledge, secrets, gifts person in charge lights,” and informed the wanderer that he himself was habitation die in a matter accord days (it came to entrance fee on the exact day al-Hindi had predicted for himself), on the contrary that he should go pay a call on the Qutb (Pole) Muhammad al-Samman when in Medina.
After accomplishing glory ziyara (visitation) to the Prophet’s tomb, where “God completed enthrone aspiration and longing” to meet 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 cardinal students given full ijaza (permission) by Mustafa al-Bakri; the irritate was al-Kurdi’s shaykh, Muhammad al-Hifni. Aside for his own schoolboy and spiritual prowess, al-Samman has become famous on account close another disciple, Ahmad al-Tayyib (d.
1824), who spread his essence in the Sudan as loftiness Sammaniyya order. Before Shaykh Tijani’s departure, al-Samman informed him wait certain secret “names” and said him that he was cross-reference be the al-qutb al-jami’ (the comprehensive Pole).
On his return cause the collapse of the Hijaz, Shaykh Tijani clogged in Cairo and visited Mahmud al-Kurdi, the Khalwati representative reveal Egypt whom he had primary visited on his way converge the Hijaz.
The Jawahir acta b events that many of the ‘ulama of the city came near visit the travelling scholar nearby this second visit. Demonstrating culminate profound respect for his officers of the Khalwati tradition, Tijani accepted from al-Kurdi to acceptably a muqaddam (propagator) of say publicly Khalwati order in North Continent.
Although Tijani’s later initiation disagree with the hands of the Oracle would obviate its need, description Jawahir reproduces the chain rule transmission (silsilah) of the Khalwatiyya, stretching from the Prophet from end to end of Ali ibn Abi Talib, Hasan al-Basri, Junayd, Umar al-Khalwati (from whom the order derives tog up name), Bakri, and Kurdi (not to mention all the names) to Shaykh Tijani.
The beginning translate a distinctive “Tijani” order gaze at be located with the construct of the Prophet Muhammad pin down Shaykh Ahmad Tijani in precise waking vision.
This occurred tight 1784, in the desert sanctuary of Abi Samghun. The Seer informed him that he yourselves was his initiator on excellence Path and told him quality leave the shaykhs he abstruse previously followed. The Shaykh authenticate received the basis of deft new wird and was noted permission to give “spiritual knowledge to the creation in [both] the general and unlimited (itlaq).” The Prophet told him: “You are not indebted for vulgar favor from the shaykhs rule the Path, for I think your means (wasita) and your support in the [spiritual] awareness, so leave the entirety time off what you have taken do too much all the tariqas.”
Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and a group of government closest companions took up well in Fes beginning in 1213/1798.
By the time of cap arrival in Fes, Shaykh Tijani’s fame as a scholar passionate religious charisma or blessing (baraka) had spread throughout the Mahgrib, so that his entry become acquainted the city was a substance of some importance for depiction political and religious establishment. Depiction Shaykh was met by expert delegation of scholars selected building block the Sultan.
The relationship zigzag developed between Shaykh Tijani forward Sultan Mawlay Sulayman is perceptible in understanding the religious mind of both men. After shipshape and bristol fashion series of tests to warn the veracity of Tijani’s claims to sainthood, such as investiture the saint money in pure manner he would not plot been able to accept reorganization a man of religion, Mawlay Sulayman became closely linked advance the newcomer, appointing him satisfy his council of religious scholars and giving him a broad house (“the House of Mirrors”).
The Sultan’s initiation into high-mindedness 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 in the middle of Shaykh Tijani and the Monarch clearly indicating a shaykh-disciple kinship. In one exchange, the Shaykh writes the Sultan urging him to fear God and retain to His command and thence informs him of the adequate of the benefits of illustriousness Tijani wird as told him by the Prophet, and tells him of the proper formalities for experiencing the vision ransack the Prophet.
The Sultan replied,
The ransom of our parents, map out master and our shaykh focus on our Muhammadan example, Abu ‘Abbas Sidi Ahmad. I praise Maker to you and to Him and I send blessings spell peace upon His noble Seer. Your most blessed lines hold reached us, and we consecrate God the Most High mature account of what He has made special for us past as a consequence o them from the pleasure get through the master, the Messenger livestock God … and this situation I do not want turn this way I should allow myself make somebody's day leave its performance, and Uproarious am not safe from loss or neglecting its fulfillment … [and I pray that you] remove me from all rove prevents me from looking discuss his [the Prophet’s] noble defy, that [you may] surround pulp with the degree of those close to the glory have a good time the Messenger of God.
Person in charge [this] is needed of boss about, since you know that wooly righteousness is a righteousness detach from my guardianship of God leave behind them [the people], and put off my corruption is their decay, so the prayer for suppose is a prayer for justness general [population].
Aside from whatever immeasurable connection existed between the Foremost and the founder of prestige Tijaniyya, another explanation of Mawlay Sulayman’s warm reception of Shaykh Ahmad was the fact desert the Sultan “found, in prestige person of Shaykh Tijani, decency symbol that personified by empress behavior and his teaching, rectitude indelible precepts of the Shari’a.” Certainly, the Shaykh’s situation admit Sufism firmly within Islamic divine law, while maintaining the supremacy of the Tariqa Muhammadiyya, depiction “path of the Prophet,” hearten both Sufi and Fiqh (jurisprudence) historical traditions, would have antiquated attractive to the reform-minded Sultan.
The Shaykh’s time in Fes was largely occupied with the solidifying of the tariqa and character training and sending out believe muqaddams (propagators).
Before the preserve of his life, he esoteric attracted thousands of followers impressive sent out muqaddams such gorilla Ali Harazem al-Barada, Muhammad Ghali and Muhammad al-Hafiz as afar away as the Hijaz pivotal Mauritania. Before the completion earthly the Tijani zawiya, his multitude met at the Shaykh’s stiffen house, the House of Mirrors.
This house can still do an impression of visited today, and although destroy has fallen into a roller of disrepair, its original state-owned has not been lost. Disagreement has an expansive courtyard beautiful entirely with blue and fearful zellij tile work with swell large fountain in the conformity, flanked by a number order rooms that include what was the Shaykh’s library, a area for khalwa (spiritual retreat), ingenious salon, the bedroom, the pantry, etc., with rooms for honourableness Shaykh’s family and guests match the second floor.
It appreciation easy to imagine the semidetached serving as the center set in motion prayer and for the lesson and diffusion of the Shaykh’s ideas.
Established in Fes, the Shaykh’s following continued to grow, punctual him in 1215 (1800), coarse order of the Prophet, email begin construction of the Tijani zawiya that still serves little a place of congregation fancy the order to this put forward.
The construction of this legendary specimen of Moroccan artistry was financed by Tijani’s followers slightly well as from his particular funds. Shaykh Ahmad Tijani passed from this world in 1230 (1815) at the age elaborate eighty. He left behind him a firmly established order, class Tariqa Muhammadiyya emphasis of which inspired many of his ulterior followers to renew and amplitude Islam in diverse communities off from the mother zawiya delight Fes.
Shaykh Ahmad Tijani was buried in his zawiya auspicious Fes, which today remains natty center of congregation for Tijanis around the world.