Al-Qutb al-Maktum Mawlana Abul Abbas Ahmed ibn Mohammed Tijani (1150/1735 -1230/1815)

"He had a whitish face with reddish tones and his white hair gained over his black one. Such state has genuinely pleased him as he always wished to meet his Lord on this state... His close companions were competing in getting his hair remnants during haircuts, and warmly greeting the barber who had the honour to be so close to him... He used to wear a camel hair-made dress in some occasions while in other occasions he wore a cotton-gown arranged through his neck and not lied upon his shoulders, putting the other end of the gown upon his head when he does not want to see people’s faces especially during the passage of women attending preaching sessions. The colour of his mantle (barnus) was a white one. He also possessed another camel-hair woven one. His turban was according to trustworthy sources from the well-known lamtayyeb type. The clothing is a rarity now. It is made of 10 yard hard clothing rolled on red cap underneath another white cap which end is held through a pin. Such way of turban setting is an old tradition and habit of the Prophet’s descendents... He used to wear the Fasite high-quality masshita-shoes. Since the companions were constantly requesting his shoes for baraka, he was usually wearing new ones.  Seldom had he wore old shoes in his ingoings and outgoings... He had a rosary for his daily litanies of the kind called al-yusr; made of a tree that had dark seeds and a very beautiful scent. He has only used this kind of rosary and nothing else, and this, Allah Knows best, for two reasons: First, because it has a pleasant odour and since the dhikr is also a pleasant deed, therefore he joined pleasant over pleasant. Second, the al-yusr-rosay brings glad tidings (al-faal al-hassan) and his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him) did always like glad tidings. The number of rosary’s beads was of one hundred, and since then all Tijani rosaries are to have one hundred beads." (Kitab Shamail Tijaniya)

In the history of Islam, there are numerous Sufi types. The universality of Sufi tradition balks at any attempt to reduce it to a signal, controllable pattern. Over the last centuries of the time, however, there has emerged a unique type of Sufi Shaykh who embodies in his person all the ranks of saints, all the secrets of saints, all the meanings of saints; for he is himself their seal whose feet are above their necks, for he is himself the cosmos that supplies them over the whole span of the history of the world. As the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) knew that he was a prophet when Adam was between water and clay, this Sufi knew he was a saint when Adam was between water and clay. This Sufi is characterised by spiritual sobriety that excludes all splendour and singularity. While his mind is fixed on the Mohammedian Essence, he affirms the obsolete validity of the shari'a and the four madhabs of Islam. It is this Sufism that gathers all the good traits of other Sufi paths. It is this Sufism that does stand alone with what is specially endowed to its adherents. That is the kind of Sufism that characterises the founder of the Tijaniya, who exercised a tremendous influence on the world around him and, through his order, on the history of Islam. 

He is the Hidden Pole (al-Qutb al-Maktum), the Seal of Mohammedian Sainthood, (Khatim al-Awliya al-Mohammediya), the Sealed Isthmus (al-Barzakh al-Makhtum), the Archetype of Salvation, the Hope of Every Seeker, the Bridegroom of the Universe, the Possessor of Solicitude and Power, the Viceregent of God on Earth, the One Who Has Arisen, the Disposer of Affairs, the Exemplar of All Times, the Supreme Paradigm, the Symbol of the Light, the Autonomous Succour, the Mirror of God, the Mohammedian Seal, the Lord Imam, the Glory of Knowers, the Chieftain of the Sages, the Imam of the Champions of Truth, the Supporter of the Poles and the Helpers, the Doctor of Rapture, the Renewer of the Sufi Path after its Occultation, the Initiator of the Reality Sciences after its Light's Decline, the Unique in His Time in Esoteric and Rhetoric Sciences, the Unique Being with Two Sublime Spiritual and Bodily Lineages: the Two Upper Angelic and Royal Sainthood, the Patron Saint of Fez, the Phoenix of Maghreb, the Descendent of the Noble Sharifian Saints, the Hassanid Sharif, Sidna Shaykh, Mawlana Abul Abbas Ahmed ibn Mhammed ibn al-Mokhtar Tijani al-Maghribi, may Allah  sanctify his soul and benefit us from his sciences and secrets.

The greater part of the life and teaching of Sidna Shaykh is drawn from two primary hagiographical works: Kitab Jawahir al-ma'ani wa-bulugh al-amani fi fayd Sidi Abil al-Abbas at-Tijani (Gems of Indications and Attainment of Aspirations in the Overflowings of Sidi Abil Abbas Tijani) by Sidi Ali Harazem Berrada (d. 1212/1797), and Kitab al-Jami’a li-ma f-taraqa mina-l ‘ulumn (The Absolute in What Has Separated from the Sciences) by Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Mishri Sibai Hassani Idrissi (d. 1224/1809). Later hagiographies tend to be works of compilation drawn from these two primary sources: Kitab Rima'h al-Hizb al Rahim ala Nuhur Hizb ar-Rajim (The Spears of the League of the Merciful thrown at the Necks of the League of the Accursed) by Sidi Omar ibn Said al-Futi (d. 1279/1864), Kitab Bughyat al-mustafid li-shar'h minyat al-murid (parts 2, 3) (Aspiration of the Beneficiary in the Commentary of the Desire of the Seeker) of Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Arbi Sayeh Sharqi al-'Umari (d. 1309/1894), last but not least, Kitab  Kashf al-Hijab 'amman talaaqa bi-Shaykh Tijani mina-l As'hab (Rising the Veil of the Companions who encountered with Shaykh Tijani) by Sidi Ahmed ibn al-'Iyyashi Skirej al-Fasi (d. 1366/1940). Although most of what we know about Sidna Shaykh comes from these books much of his life and career rely either on direct testimony from the Shaykh himself to Ali Harazem and Ibn al-Mishri or authentic oral tradition.

 

اعلم أن شيخنا هوالشيخ الإمام العلامة البحر الفهامة، صاحب الإشارات العلية، والعبادة السنية، والحقائق القدسية، والأنوار المحمدیة، والأسرار الربانية، والهمم العرشية، والمنازلات الحقيقية، علم المهتدین، والحامل في وقته لواء العارفين، والمقيم فيه دولة علوم المحققين، وإمام الصدیقين، وكهف قلوب السالكين، وقبلة همم المریدین، وزمزم أسرار الواصلين، وجلاء قلوب العارفين، منشىء معالم الطریقة بعد خفاء كثارها، ومبدي علوم الحقائق بعد خبئ أنوارها، ومظهر عوارف المعارف بعد خفائها واستتارها، أوحد أهل زمانه علما وحالا، ومعرفة ومقالا، القطب الغوث الجامع الوارث الرباني، الفرد الصمداني، ذوالنسبتين الطاهرتين الجسدیة والروحية، والسلال تين الطينيتين الغيبية والشاهدیة، والولایتين الكریمتين الملكية والملكوتية، الصحيح النسبتين والكریم العنصرین المحمدي، أبوالعباس مولانا أحمد بن محمد بن المختار بن أحمد بن سالم التجاني الحسني المضاوي دارا ومنشأ، بها ولد ونشأ، وهي مقر أسلافه رضي الله عنهم، ودارهم دار علم وولایة وصلاح، ورشد وفلاح، وشرف وكرم، وأمرهم شهير بين في ناحيتهم كنار على علم. ﴿رسالة الفضل والإمتنان إلى كافة الأحباب والإخوان للخليفة سيدي الحاج علي حرازم برادة﴾ فهو شيخ الطريقة، القطب المكتوم والختم المحمدي المعلوم الشريف العفيف أبو العباس سيدي أحمد بن الولي الشهير والعالم الكبير الأمام القدوة النبوي الأتباع، أبى عبد الله، سيدي محمد، الملقب بابن عمر لشدته في دينه، بن المختار بن أحمد بن محمد بن سالم بن أبى العيد بن سالم بن أحمد الملقب "بالعلواني" بن أحمد بن على بن عبدا لله بن العباس بن عبدالجبار بن إدريس بن اسحق بن على زين العابدين بن احمد بن محمد النفس الزكية بن عبدالله الكامل بن الحسن المثنى بن الحسن السبط بن على بن أبى طالب كرم الله وجهه، من سيدتنا فاطمة الزهراء سيدة نساء أهل الجنة رضي الله عنها بنت سيد الوجود وقبلة الشهود سيدنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. (الإفادة الأحمدية)

Sidna Shaykh was born in 1150/1735 in the blessed village of Ain Madhi into a sharifian family. According to the book of rge Shamail Sidna Shaykh’s lineage is raised to his grandfather the Chosen (peace and blessing be upon him) through his father Mawlana Mohammed, the son of Mawlana al-Mokhtar, the son of Mawlana Ahmed, the son of Mawlana Mohammed, the son of Mawlana Salim, the son of Mawlana Abil Eid, the son of Mawlana Ahmed, the son of Mawlana Ahmed, the son of Mawlana Ali, the son of Mawlana Abdellah, the son of Mawlana Abbas, the son of Mawlana Abdeljabbar, the son of Mawlana Idriss, the son of Mawlana Idriss, the son of Mawlana Ishaq, the son of Mawlana Zayn al-Abidin, the son of Mawlana Ahmed, the son of Mawlana Mohammed Nafs- Zakiya, the son of Mawlana Abdellah al-Kamil, the son of Mawlana al-Hassan al-Muthanna, the son of Mawlana al-Hassan as-Sibt, the son of Mawlana Emir al-Muminine Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Lady of the Universe Fatima Zahra, the Daughter of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). The scholar Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Mishri said in Rawdh al-Muhib al-Fani (The Bliss of the Annihilated Lover),

His noble lineage goes to Mawlana al-Hassan ibn Ali (may Allah be satisfied with both of them) and a certainty about his sharifian decency is wholly proved from all corners, as Sidna Shaykh once asked the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) about the reality of his lineage and that of the people of his village. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) answered him: “You are my son, you are my son, you are my son”. As for the people of his village, the Prophet was just silent about their lineage. Since that daylight encounter with the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), Sidna Shaykh went on to spread his sharifian claim.

Ain Madhi (literally, 'Spring of the Past') is located in the Eastern Sahara; an ancient Moroccan territory today under Algerian control. It is located in western-central Algeria about 30 miles from the city of Laghuat (al-Aghwat). Earlier to the birth of Sidna Shaykh, his grandfather the great saint Sidi Mohammed ibn Salim migrated from the town of Asafi (Safi) on the Atlantic coast to Ain Madhi and settled among the clan of Tijana. He got married from them and thus gained the nickname of 'at-Tijani', a surname that permanently passed on to his descendents. Sidna Shaykh grew up there. His parents gave him the best of parental care and upbringing. His father, Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Mokhtar, has been a God-fearing scholar and saint. He has had communication with the world of spirits (al-ru'haniya). These spirits apparently even consulted him for the fulfilment of their wishes. The story has it that he usually noted their requests with the excuse of not wanting to interfere with divine issues. Sidna Shaykh mother was Lalla Aicha al-Sanusi. She had many children, most of whom died. The surviving children were Sidna Shaykh himself, his brother Sidi Mohammed and elder sister called Lalla Ruqayya.

Sidna Shaykh became an orphan at the age of 15 when he applied himself to his studies. Having learned the Quran by heart at the early age of seven under the tutelage of Shaykh Abu Abdellah Sidi Mohammed ibn 'Hammu Tijani, a proponent of the Nafi' mode of recitation, he studied the fundamentals of Maliki jurisprudence with local righteous scholars such as Shaykh Sidi Aissa Bouakkaz Tijani and Shaykh Sidi Ibn Bouafiya Tijani. Sidna Shaykh set himself the task of seeking knowledge in the religious sciences and to become an icon in the discipline. He was noted for undertaking whatever he intended to do without backing out, perusing it to its logical conclusion. He then took the teaching and even gave legal opinions (fatawa) at a very tender age. He was also noted for strong adherence to the sunnah (tradition) of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and for following its ethical code of conduct very strictly. He was also said to have restrained himself from indulging in what the people of his time were accustomed to and deemed permissible. He is reputed to have responded to questions very cautiously. 

Though he lost both his parents at the age of 21 (1171/1756), and on the same way, as a result of a plague that hit the locality, this did not distract him from his quest for knowledge. It rather served as a turning point in his life towards treading the Sufi path. In the same year, during the reign of the Sultan Mawlana Mohammed ibn Abdellah (d. 1204/1789), an intellectual who wrote several books on Quranic commentary and tradition ruling Morocco from 1757 to 1789, Sidna Shaykh entered al-Qarawiyyine University of Fez and studied in particular the books on the Tradition of the Prophet (al-'Hadith Nabawi Sharif) such al-Bukhari and Muslim. Meanwhile Sidna Shaykh busied himself with meeting Sufi teachers. He started searching throughout the sharifian kingdom in order to meet with and learned from almost all the available aqatab (poles) or masters of his day. This took him to Fez, Wazzan and Taza. He first met the head of Shadhilite Wazzaniya order, the Shaykh, Moulay Tayyeb ibn Mohammed ibn al-Qutb Moulay Abdellah Sharif al-Wazzani  (d. 1181/1766). He initiated Sidna Shaykh into his order and gave him the authorization to initiate others, although Sidna never did exercise this privilege, for tow reasons: firstly, he was engrossed in his own spiritual self-development, and secondly, he was not sure of his exact position in the spiritual hierarchy at the time.  

He also came into contact with the head of Shadhilite Fasiya order Shaykh Sidi Abdellah b.  Sidi al-Arbi b. Sidi Ahmed Ben Abdellah al-Andalusi (d. 1188/1778). They talked on various issues and before they had bidden each other farewell, Sidna Shaykh prayed to God to award him the good things of this world and the hereafter. The final words from the Shaykh Sidi Abdellah were, "May Allah stand by you", spoken thrice". Sidna Shaykh also took the Qadiriya path while in Fez by the Fasite khalifa of the order, and again he was given the authorization to initiate others, although he still did not avail himself of that right; he then left it after a while. Then he took the Shadhilite Nasiriya from Sidi Mohammed ibn Abdullah al-Tuzani called “ar-Rif” (d. 1171/1756) who had from his father Sidi Mohammed ibn Ali (1151/1736), from his uncle, from Sidi Ahmed Ben Nasir Dar'i (d. 1129/1717 in Fez) from his father al-Qutb al-Kamil Sidi Mhammed ( d. 1085/1694). He then left it and took the Shadhilite Ghumariya (after Sidi Ahmed al-Habib ), first from a student, then in a dream from its founder, then he left it. He also took from the saint of Taza Shaykh Sidi Abul Abbas Ahmed al-Tawwash (d. 1206/1791) who counselled him to seek seclusion (khalwa) and invocation (dhikr), but Sidna Shaykh refused. He finally met with Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Hassan al-Wanjali al-Zabibi (d. 1185/1770) from the Wanjal clan based in the mountains of al-Zabib, who was of the fraternity of the illuminated ones (ahl al-kashf). He told him when he first saw him and before he talked to him: "You will attain the rank (maqam) of the Great Qutb Sidi Abul Hassan Shadhili (d. 656/1241). He discoursed with him on esoteric issues, and admonished him to return to his hometown, for what he was looking for was to be found there. 

"فلما شب رضي الله عنه واطلع على بعض من كلام القوم، تقت نفسه إلى أحوالهم والوصول إلى مراتبهم، فلما كان سنة نيف وسبعين بعد مائة وألف، سافر من بلده عين ماضي الى مدينة فاس وأحوازها من المغرب قاصدا مطلوبه وباحثا عما تعلقت به همته من ملاقات الرجال/ فأول من لقي من أهل الله شيخ التربية والطريقة ومعدن السر والحقيقة، غوث الزمان ودفين وزان رضي الله عنه مولانا الطيب الشهير بمغربنا. قال : فلما وصلت إليه، أذن لي في ورده والتقدم في إعطائه للناس، فلم أفعل لأني كنت لم أفهم حال الأولياء. ورأيته على حال أهل الدنيا. وكذلك مولانا أحمد الصقلي لم أكلمه حتى الكلام لما رأيت عليه من هيئة العامة. وبعد ذلك أخبرت أنه كان قطبا رضي الله عنه، وسيدي مولاي الطيب رضي الله عنه أخذ عن أخيه سيدي مولاي التهامي وهو عن أبيه سيدي محمد وهو عن أبيه سيدي مولاي عبد الله وهو عن سيدي علي بن أحمد صاحب صرصر. وأما نسب هذه الشجرة الطيبة فينتهي إلى القطب الكبير أعني جدهم أخا لمولاي عبد السلام بن مشيش رضي الله عن الجميع .ثم أخذ طريق بن ناصر عن سيدي محمد بن عبد الله التزاني وهو عن أبيه سيدي عبد الله وهو عن عمه سيدي محمد وهو عن سيدي أحمد بن محمد بن ناصر وقد أخذ قبله طريق سيدي محمد بن ناصر عن سيدي الاحسن اليوسي وسيدي الاحسن أخذ عن سيدي محمد بن ناصر وهو عن سيدي عبد الله بن حسين وهو عن سيدي الغازي و هو عن سيدي علي بن عبد الله وهو عن شيخ الشيوخ سيدي أحمد بن يوسف ثم تركها. و أخذ طريق الشيخ عبد القادر الجيلاني على بعض من له الاذن فيها من أهل فاس، وبقي يذكرها مدة ثم تركها ثم تلاقى مع (سيدي اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ بن) سيدي عبد الله بن عبد الله ولد سيدي احمد بن عبد الله صاحب المخفية الشهير بمدينة فاس، فدعا له ولم يأخذ عنه وردا لأن طريقهم طريق الأشراف. قال الشيخ رضي الله عنه: لما ودعني قال لي: سر الله يأخذ بيدك. وكررها لي ثلاث مرات. وهي آخر عهدي به رحمه الله. وتلاقى مع سيدي بلحسن الذي أخبره بنزول مقام الشاذلي كما سياتي، و موضعه في جبل الزبيب. ثم تلاقى مع الطواش بتازة رحمه الله فأعطاه ذكرا وقال هل: الزم الخلوة والوحدة والذكر واصبر حتى يفتح الله، فلم يساعفه، فقال له: الزم هذا الذكر ودم عليه من غير خلوة ولا وحدة ويفتح الله عليك على تلك الحالة، و عين لي الشيخ رضي الله عنه الذكر الذي أعطاه له هذا السيد. وقال لي: أخذت طريق سيدي أحمد الحبيب الشهير بمغربنا على بعض من له الاذن فيها وتركها، ثم أخبرني أنه أتاه سيدي أحمد الحبيب في النوم وقال لي: قبض على لساني ولقنني اسما فذكرته مدة وتركته". ﴿الجامع لما افترق من درر العلوم الفائضة من بحار القطب المكتوم للعلامة سيدي محمد ابن المشري﴾

The City of Fez

Sidna Shaykh did not stay in Fez long and soon returned to Ain Mahdi. On the way homeward he stopped at a town named Abyad, in the middle of the desert, where was located the shrine of the Shadhilite mystic, al-Qutb Sidi Abdellqadir ibn Mohammed al-Sima'hi ("Sidi Shaykh"; d. 1025/1610). He stayed there retreating for five years indulging in study, worship, teaching and recitation of the Holy Quran.  In the following years he travelled back and fourth between the desert recluses and towns of the region, convinced of what he had heard from the man at Jabal al-Zabib. There seems to be a pattern in Sidna Shaykh's travels, in that he went to the desert to meditate, while in the towns he took exoteric, non-mystical knowledge from the acknowledged masters and in the traditional manner. He next headed towards Tlemcen, where he stayed for the purpose of ascetic practices, worship, teaching the 'Hadith and engaging in commentary on the Quran, until he was endowed with divine inspiration. From that point on, a tremendous change was seen in his life. We are told that signs of spiritual upliftment became apparent in his life, while the veils of  obstruction were parted and the gifts of miraculous deeded bestowed on him. He continued to climb the ladder of spiritual realization until he reached the zenith of what he was looking for in the realm of spirituality. 

In 1186/1771, Sidna Shaykh travelled to Mecca for pilgrimage. On his journey to the East, Sidna Shaykh was keen to met the noted Sufi Shaykhs of the time -just like he did in the Maghreb. Having left Tlemcen and on reaching Zwawa, he visited the Idrissid Sharif, Abu Abdellah Sidi Mhammed ibn Abderrahman al-Azhari (d. 1280/1793), from whom the Khalwati Rahmaniya Order came. He is the student of Shaykh Sidi Mohammed al-Hifnawi ("al-Hifni"; d. 1174/1768), himself a disciple of Shaykh Sidi Mustafa ibn Kamaluddin al-Bakri (d. 1154/1739). Sidna Shaykh entered Tunisia in the same year. There he met with some members of another fraternity such as Sidi Abdelsamad al-Ra'hwi and Sidi al-Haj Faraj al-Tunusi. The latter gave him a special permission in the Dumyatiya Qasida, the Asmae al-Idrissiya, and the Divine Names (al-Asma' al-'Husna) with the lineage raised to Sidi Said 'Ahasnal al-Maghribi and Sidi Mohammed al-Hifnawi al-Misri. He stayed there for a year shuttling between Tunis and the city of Susa. He spent most of his time in Tunis teaching the Book of Wisdom (al-'Hikam al-'Ataiyya) and its like. The ruler of Tunis requested of him that he stay and teach and that he also undertake other religious activities as well as teaches. He gave him accommodations and opened the Zaytuna mosque to him to serve as a classroom, allocation him a large salary for the purpose. After considering his offers, however, he decided instead to embark on a ship headed for Egypt. He was also intent on performing the pilgrimage, as well as meeting with Shaykh Sidi Mahmoud al-Kurdi al-Iraqi al-Misri (d. 1186/1771), the leading teacher of Khalwatiya order in Cairo, accepting his leadership and then embracing his order in accordance with all its norms. All of this was based on the dream he had of him in Tunis. He sent a message through Sidi Abdelsamad al-Ra'hwi to his own master who had no permission to meet any body save four people he was one of them, informing him of his intention to travel to Cairo and asking for his guarantee, which the Shaykh granted. He then took the sea and reached his destination safely.   

At their first encounter, Shaykh Sidi Mahmud al-Kurdi, addressed Sidna Shaykh as a beloved one of God in this world and the hereafter. Sidna Shaykh asked him how he knew this to be true, and was informed that God was the ultimate source. Then Sidna narrated fully to him the dream he had in Tunisia, in which he had seen Shaykh al-Kurdi and been told that his own essence was of copper, which Shaykh al-Kurdi promised to turn into gold. Then after the elapse of a few days, Shaykh al-Kurdi asked Sidna Shaykh of his desire. His response was the station of the "Absolute Authorization" (al-Qutbaniya al-'Udhma).  The Shaykh told him that he was already more advanced than the above mentioned station. Shaykh al-Kurdi narrated to Sidna an account of his errand and the reasons for his encounter with his master Shaykh al-'Hifni and his master Shaykh al-Bakri al-Misri.  

From Egypt, Sidna Shaykh left to Mecca. He  arrived safely by sea in 1187/1772 after having received prayers and guarantees from Shaykh al-Kurdi for a spared return voyage. As usual he started his search by seeking out other Sufis in order to learn from them. There he heard of Sidi Ahmed ibn Abdellah al-Hindi (d. 1187/1773); student of the venerated Shahdilite master Sidi Ahmed ibn Mhammed Ben Nasir Dar'i (d. 1129/1714 in Fez). Sidi Ahmed ibn Abdellah had no permission to meet any body, but in spite of that, Sidna Shaykh received from him special knowledge, through a special envoy, without meeting with him. He foretold Sidna Shaykh about what he was destined to, and gave him good tidings that he will inherit all his secrets, endowments, cognition, and illuminations. He told him that he was his successor in all that he possessed in terms of spirituality. He added a verbal message to him via his attendant, informing him that he was the one being that he had been waiting for. On hearing this, the attendant asked his master why he himself had not been accorded with that honor after his 18 years of service. Shaykh al-Hindi then told the attendant that, had it been left up to him, his own child should have been his choice as successor, but this was a divine affair in which he had no choice. The Shaykh then wrote a letter asking Sidna Shaykh to show favor to his son after his demise, which he made known to him. Sidna Shaykh fulfilled the promise after the burial of Shaykh al-Hindi. Moreover, before his death he made available to Sidna Shaykh the details of a secret practice that required of him seven days of seclusion, after which he would attain spiritual realization. Having achieved this he would not be permitted to meet any afterwards. Sidna Shaykh did not perform the litanies, however, because of the latter condition. Just days before he left for Arafat, Sidna Shaykh made his final request to see the Shaykh in person, but this was also turned down. Shaykh al-Hindi gave Sidna Shaykh the glad tidings of attaining the status of Shaykh Sidi Abul Hassan Shadhili (d. 656/1241), as he had been foretold before by Sidi Mohammed Wanjali of Fez, and also told him that he would meet the Qutb az-Zaman Sidi Mohammed ibn Abdelkarim al-Samman (d. 1189/1774) in Medina. 

At Medina Sidna Shaykh performed all the rites pertaining to visitation. And, as usual, he turned his attention towards finding other Sufi masters. Having been informed of the presence of Shaykh al-Samman, he sought a meeting with him. Shaykh al-Samman was the guardian of the Prophet's blessed grave (peace and blessing be upon him) and the author of several Sufi works but it was especially as the founder of a new order that he became influential. He combined the Qadiriya, the Naqshabandiya, the Nasiriya with the Khalwatiya (through his Shaykh al-Bakri). This combination became known as the Sammaniya.  Sidna Shaykh was told of what lay ahead of him in the realm of excellence by Shaykh al-Samman. He told him that he is the Dominant Pole (al-Qutb al-Jami') and gave him good tidings that he will realize his aspiration and obtain the "Absolute General Authorization" (al-Qutbaniya al-Jami'a al-'Udhma). This was followed by his request that Sidna Shaykh agree to meet with him and then spend three days in seclusion. At the end of this period he, Shaykh al-Samman, would instill in him full spirituality. Sidna Shaykh excused himself from this, however, and was then asked to make his request, which he did, and he was given the required assistance. He was given a special permission in the Asma' al-'Husna, the Ahzab of Shaykh Shadhili (d. 656/1241), the Wadhifa of Shaykh Zarruq (d. 899/1484), the Dalail al-Khayrat of Shaykh al-Jazouli, and the al-Dur al-’Ala of Shaykh Ibn Arabi al-‘Hatimi (d. 636/1221).  Sidna Shaykh then left with a pilgrim's caravan and arrived safely in Egypt.  In Cairo he went to pay homage to to Shaykh al-Kurdi. He was well received and was asked by his master to take a seat in front of him. He was also told to come to his house daily. Shaykh al-Kurdi always asked Sidna Shaykh questions on issues of a controversial nature, which he easily resolved on the basis of his store of knowledge. As a result of this his reputation spread, and Cairo scholars, attracted by his growing reputation, sought him out in great numbers. Prior to his departure Shaykh al-Kurdi granted Sidna Shaykh a full ijaza (license) to teach the Khalwatiya tariqa. He declined the offer at first, but when offered it a second time, he apparently accepted and was given a silisla (spiritual chain of initiation). 

ثم لم سافر لحجه المبرور تلاقى مع الشيخ سيدي محمد بن عبد الرحمان الأزهري نزيل جرجرة بأزواوة فأخذ عنه الطريق الخلوتية وهو أخذها عن الشيخ الحفناوي رضي الله عن جميعهم. وتلاقى مع بعض اولياء تونس منهم السيد عبد الصمد الرحوي وكان تحت ولاية غيره وهو قطب تلك البلدة. وكان في صحبته رابع أربعة ولم يتلاقوا معه نهارا لستره على نفسه إلا في ليلة الجمعة وليلة الاثنين يبيتون معه، ولذلك قال الشيخ رضي الله عنه: طلبته في الملاقات فامتنع، وبعثت له ذات يوم محبوبا مع صاحبه فقال: المحبوب بعث محبوبا. فلما ارتحل من تونس إلى مصر قاصدا ملاقات الشيخ محمود الكردي رضي الله عنه قال لي: لما وردت عليه رحمه الله: أنت محبوب في الدنيا والآخرة، قلت له: من أين لك هذا؟ قال لي: من الله، بعد أن قلت له: رأيتك وأنا في تونس، قلت لك اني نحاس كل ذاتي، قلت لي: هو كذلك وأنا أرد نحاسك ذهبا. فلما قصصتها عليه حن وردت عليه قال لي: هو كذلك، كما رأيت ثم قال لي بعد أيام ما مطلوبك؟ قلت له: مطلوبي القطبانية. قال لي: لك أكثر منها. قلت له: عليك. قال لي: نعم، ثم بعد أن رجع إليه من حجته المبرورة أذن له في التربية بالطريق الخلوتية وأمره باعطائها على كره وقال له: أنا الضامن. فقال له: فالآن نعم. وأخبره ببعض أموره وما وقع له في سياحته وسبب ملاقاته مع الشيخ الحفناوي والشيخ مصطفى البكري رضي الله عن جميعهم.ثم تلاقى بعده بسيدي أحمد بن عبد الله الهندي بمكة المشرفة المعظمة زادها الله شرفا وتعظيما وتكريما. آمين. فأعطاه سرا كبيرا وأمره أن يذكره سبعة أيام فيفتح عليه، ولكن يعتزل الناس ولا يراه أحد بعد هذا العمل، فلم يعمله شيخنا رضي الله عنه لهذا الأمر الذي فيه. قلت لسيدنا رضي الله عنه لما أخبرني: لو عملته حتى أدركت فتحه ثم بعد ذلك لا تختفي على الناس. قال لي: فيه نقض العهد وهو شرط فيه وكانت طريقة الشيخ المذكور لأنه كان لم يره حتى أولاده. و اعطي أسرارا أخرى غير هذا لسيدنا رضي الله عنه ولما طلبه في الملاقات به قال له: لا تلتقي بي ولكن تلتقي بالقطب بعد، يكفيك عني. وأخبره أنه لا بد له من بلوغ مقام أبي الحسن الشاذلي رضي الله عنه وكان أخبره بأنه يموت في عشرين من شهر الله ذي الحجة الحرام، فكان كما قال رضي الله عنه ورحمه، وأوصاه على ولده أن يعطيه بعض أسراره، فمكنه له في مكة المشرفة زادها الله رفا، حفظا للأمانة والوفاء بعهده. فلما ارتحل للمدينة المنورة شرفها الله تعالى، تلقى مع الطب الشيخ سيدي محمد بن عبد الكريم السمان رضي الله عنه. وأخبرني شيخنا أنه طلب منه أنه يقيم عنده ثلاثة أيام ويصبغه صبغة تامة، فلم يمتثل أمره ولم يقم عنده لكونه دخل قبله في صحبة الشيخ محمود. وطلب منه بعض الأسرار فأذن له فيه او اذن له في جميع الأسماء والمسميات جملة. ﴿الجامع لما افترق من درر العلوم الفائضة من بحار القطب المكتوم للعلامة سيدي محمد ابن المشري﴾

Sidna Shaykh then left for Tunis and from there went to Tlemcen. In 1191/1776 he made his second trip to Fez from Tlemcen, with the intention of visiting the Baraka of Fez, Moulay Idriss al-Azhar (d. 213/798). He met, during this trip, with the Hassanid scholar, Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Mishrial- Siba'i of Takrat (d. 1224/1809). Since then, Sidi Mohammed al-Mishri, leaded the prayers for Shaykh Tijani, and wrote the answers on his behalf until 1208/1793; the year that Sidna Shaykh started himself to lead the prayers, in compliance with the instruction of his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him). In the Moroccan city of Oujda (Wajda), while returning back to Fez, he met, for the first time, Sidi Ali Harazem Berrada, who accompanied him to Fez. During this meeting, he authorized him in the Khalwatiya. In addition he passed on to him certain spiritual secrets and special knowledge. He foretold him of what would be of him in revelation and strengthening, and impressed on him the need to go on seeking illumination. He also told him that from Tlemcen he was planning to go elsewhere, as he had a sense of discomfort perhaps under pressure from the Ottoman authorities. 

After a short stay in Fez, Sidna Shaykh went back to Tlemcen and then departed to the Qasr al-Shallala and then Abu Samghun, a Saharan oasis located south of Geryville. He then headed south for the Saharan centre of Tuwat, intending to make a visit. This was in 1196/1781. While there he met Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Fudayl and other saints, and after a mutually beneficial exchange with them, he returned to the village of Abu Samghun and settle there. 

A year later, in 1197/1782, Sidna Shaykh announced that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) authorised him in a daylight vision (yaqadatan; while he was awake) to establish his own order, the Tariqa Ahmediya-Mohammediya-Ibrahimiya-Hanifiya-Tijaniya, and not use any of the chains of authority of teacher-to-disciple that were the main stay of all the Sufi orders. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had granted him permission to initiate mankind into the order during a period when he had fled from contact with people in order to devote himself to his personal development, and had therefore felt unable to consider himself a Shaykh until this permission was granted. He was commanded by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) to renounce all the orders that he was affiliated to and told him that he was to take the path directly from him, 

"You owe no favour to any of the Shaykhs of the path, for I am myself your medium and provider in every truth. Abandon all that you have taken from all other tariqas and hold fast to this tariqa without seclusion (khalwa), or retirement from people ('uzla), until you reach your promised maqam, and you are as you are, without hardship, difficulty, or strive, and abdicate all the saints." 

فأذن له الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم، يقظة لا مناما، بتربية الخلق على العموم والإطلاق، بعد أن كان فارا منهم. وعين له الورد الذي يلقنه، وهو مائة من الاستغفار ومائة من الصلاة علي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم.  وأذن له  صلى الله عليه وسلم بتلقينه لكل من رغب فيه من المسلمين والمسلمات، بعد تحديد الشروط والتزام المريد بها.  وفي رأس المائة عام 1200هجرية كمل له، صلى الله عليه وسلم، في الورد اللازم مائة من الكلمة المشرفة لا إله إلا الله. وأخبره صلى الله عليه وسلم بأنه مربيه وكافله، وأنه لا يصله شئ من الله إلا على يديه وبواسطته، ولا منة لأحد من شيوخ الطرق عليه "فأنا واسطتك وممدك على التحقيق... فاترك عنك جميع ما أخذت من جميع الطرق والزم هذه الطريقة من غير خلوة ولا اعتزال عن الناس حتى تصل مقامك الذي وعدت به وأنت على حالك من غير ضيق ولا حرج ولا كثرة مجاهدة واترك عنك جميع الأولياء". قال سيدي الحاج علي حرازم برادة: "أما سند طریقته رضي الله عنه فقال في بعض رسائله: وأما سؤالكم عن سند طریقتنا، فإنا أخذنا عن مشایخ عدة فلم یقض الله منهم بتحصيل المقصود، وإنما سندنا وأستاذنا في هذه الطریقة فهي عن سيد الوجود وعلم الشهود صلى الله عليه وسلم، قد قضى الله بفتحنا ووصولنا على یده صلى الله عليه وسلم اتصالا منه إلينا، ليس في غيره من الشيوخ فينا تصرف وكفى.وقد قال له صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا واسطة بينك وبين الله إلا أنا ولا یصلك خير من الله إلا على یدي فاترك عنك جميع ما أخذته عن الأشياخ جملة وتفصيلا"، أوكما قال عليه الصلاة والسلام ما معناه هذا."فاعرف رتبة هذا السيد الكریم مع النبي العظيم." ﴿رسالة الفضل والإمتنان إلى كافة الأحباب والإخوان﴾

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had furthermore assigned to him the obligatory wird (litany) which he has to transmit in general and unstrictly to any seeker who asks for it and accepts to abide by its conditions; a 100 of Astaghfirou Allah" (I seek Allah’s forgiveness) and a 100 of prayers upon the Prophet with any version, preferably with the Salat al-Fatih prayer.  By 1200/1785 the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) completed to him the wird by adding a 100 of Haylala (“la-ilaha illa’Allah”; There is no God but Allah). Greatly simplified, Sidna Shaykh developed his path on loose lines. Obligations, as one to be expected in an order designed to expand, were simple. He imposed no penances or retreats and the conditions was not complicated; (1) praying in the mosque with the congregation whenever possible, meeting all the prerequisites for lawfully offering prayer; (2) praying upon the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him); and (3) not to visit living saints or the tombs of dead ones. The Shaykh stressed the quite dhikr even in congregation, and forbade above all the visitations of living and dead saints at the command of his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him), for they were all associated with baraka-possession. Sidna Shaykh affirmed that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had told him not to cut himself off from the world, and so he advised his disciples to live in comfort wearing classy clothes and eating choice food. Sidna Shaykh gave good tidings that his followers could rely on his own guarantee of salvation. This includes anyone who saw him on Mondays and Fridays and did not become his enemy,

"If someone receives from me the well-known wird, which is essential to the Tariqa, or he receives it from someone I have authorized to teach it, he will enter the Garden of Paradise (“Jannat 'Illiyyine”; that of prophets and saints) -he and his children, his wives, and his descendants- without reckoning and without punishment, provided that they are not guilty of any insult, hatred, or enmity, and that he persists in loving the Shaykh until death.” (…) "Be of good cheer! Anyone who is devoted to our love, until he dies in that state, will certainly be resurrected among those who are spared, provided that he does not wear the garb of security from Allah's cunning (makr ‘Allah);" "My companions will not be exposed to the horrors of the Place of Standing (at the Resurrection) and they will not experience its thunderbolts and its earthquakes. Instead they will be together with those who are safe and sound at the gate of the Garden, until they enter with the Chosen Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) in the vanguard of the first troop, along with his Companions. Their permanent abode will then be in his vicinity (peace and blessing be upon him) in the Highest Heights, as the neighbors of his Companions. Glory be to the One who graciously favors whomever He will with whatever he will, entirely of His own volition!" 

وأما فضل الورد قال رضي الله عنه:"وأما من أخذ وردنا فإنه یدخل الجنة بلا حساب ولا عقاب هو ووالداه وأزواجه وذریته المنصلة عنه لا الحفدة بشرط الإعتقاد وعدم نكث الصحبة، ویبعث من الامنين من كل شيء من الموت إلى الإستقرار في أعلى عليين، ویدخل الجنة في الزمرة الأولى، وتؤدى عنه تبعاته من خزائن فضل الله لا من حسناته، ویكون في جوار النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في أعلى عليين، وأن تغفر له ذنوبه ما تقدم منها وما تأخر إلى غير هذا مما ذكر سابقا". وسمعته رضي الله عنه یقول: سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عمن له ورد من أوراد المشایخ رضي الله عنهم وأراد أخذ هذا الورد كيف یصنع؟ هل یترك ورده ویتمسك بوردنا أم كيف یكون العمل؟ فقال له: یا أحمد، قل لهم وردي هذا عظيم، وأضافه إلى نفسه عليه عليه الصلاة والسلام، یغني عن جميع الأوراد وفيه سر جميع الأوراد، فمن تمسك به وترك جميع أوراد المشایخ فلا حرج عليه من أشياخه، ولا خوف ولا ضررعليه من أحد في الدنيا و اخرة، وهو كمن من كل ضرر في الدنيا واللآخرة، ویكفيه هذا الورد العظيم، ومن أراد أن یأخذ هذا فليترك جميع ما عنده وأن لا یمكث على حاله ویترك وردنا فإن هذا الورد لا یقبل إلا الإنفراد وحده والسلام" . (...) وسمعته رضي الله عنه یقول: سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت: یا سيدي قال الشيخ مولانا عبد القادر الجيلاني طابعي لا ینزل على طابع. فقال له صلى الله عليه وسلم "یا أحمد طابعك ینزل على كل طابع"، ولا ینزل على طابعك طابع."وقد كتب الشيخ مجيبا لبعض الفقهاء:"أما ما ذكرتم من أخذكم الورد عن فلان وترككم لورد سيدي فلان فلا حرج عليكم من صاحبكم. وما ذكره لكم هو كذلك، ولكن تعلقكم بوردنا أحسن وأولى لما سمعت فيه من الخير المضمون لمن أخذه بوعد صادق لا یتخلف، ولكونه أیضا من ترتيب سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم، وهو الذي أمر بإعطائه. فمن هذا الوجه ینبغي للعاقل مثلكم أن یترك جميع الأوراد ویتعلق به، وإن كان أوراد المشایخ كلها على هدى من الله، وهذا الورد أعظمها قدرا لما سمعت فيه من الخير المضمون لمن أخذه بوعد صادق، فشد یدك عليه شدا وثيقا، فقد سبق في الأزل أنه لا یوفق لهذا الورد العظيم إلا من هوأكبر أهل السعادة عند الله، وهذا على سبيل القطع لمن داوم على المحبة بلا شك ولا ریب. فاستبشروا ببيعكم الذي بایعتم به وتمسكوا بخير حبل من الله والسلام. وقد سمعت بعض الإخوان یذكر أنه لا تضره معصية إن سمع بذلك، وسرح نفسه في معاصي الله لأجل ما سمع، واتخذ ذلك حبالة إلى الأمان من عقوبة الله في معاصيه ألبس الله قلبه بغضنا حتى یسبنا، فإذا سبنا طرده الله من قربه وسلبه ما منحه من فضله. فالحذر الحذر من مخالفة أمر الله، وإن وقعت مخالفة والعبد غير معصوم، فالمبادرة إلى التوبة والرجوع إلى الله، وإن لم یكن ذلك عاجلا فليعلم العبد أنه ساقط من عين الله متعرض لغضبه، إلا أن یمن الله بعفوه عليه، ویستدیم في قلبه أنه مستوجب لهذا من الله فيستدیم بذلك انكسار قلبه وانحطاط رتبته في نفسه دون تعزز، فما دام العبد على هذا الحال فهوعلى سبيل خير. وإیاكم والعياذ بالله من لباس حلة الأمان من مكر الله في مقارفة الذنوب باعتقاد العبد أنه كمن من مؤاخذة الله له في ذلك، فإنه من وقف هذا الموقف بين یدي الله تعالى ودام عليه فهودليل على أنه یموت كافرا، نسأل الله العافية والسلامة من بلائه. وما سمعتم من الخاصية في الورد فهي واقعة لا محالة، وإیاكم والتفریط في الورد ولومرة من الدهر. وشرط الورد المحافظة على الصلوات بالأمور الشرعية. وإیاكم ولباس حلة الأمان من مكر الله في الذنوب فإنها عين الهلاك والسلام. ﴿رسالة الفضل والإمتنان إلى كافة الأحباب والإخوان للخليفة سيدي الحاج علي حرازم برادة﴾

The born-global Tijaniya was widely accepted almost immediately after its birth. Sidna Shaykh became so reputed that great masses of people started visiting him to take his wird, to be affiliated with him, and get more of what he gives them in sense and meaning. After this grand spiritual realization (al-fath al-akbar), Sidna Shaykh remained in Abu Samghun for about fifteenth years. 63 in age, in 1211/1796, Sidna Shaykh finally moved to Fez with his disciples, marking the real beginning of the path. On his arrival he stayed in the house of his companion Sidi Ali Harazim. Sidna Shaykh was well-received by the Impeccable Imam, Shams al-Iman, Rabi'a al-Qulub wa al-Azman, the  Sultan Mawlana Abu al-Rabi’a Sulayman, the son of the Sultan Sidi Mohammed  (d. 1238/1823),  the son of the Sultan Moulay Abdellah, the son of the Sultan Moulay Ismail (d. 1142/1727). Known for his extreme piety, staunch puritanism and sense of justice, the sultan is often referred to as the Omar ibn Abdellaziz of his period; the Sultan viewed  'orthodox' Sufism as totally compatible with the doctrine of the Salaf. Moulay Sulayman then, did not reject Sufism as long as it complied with the Tariqa Mohammediya spirit. It has been reported that when Sultan Sulayman and Sidna Shaykh met, the Sultan highly honoured him and offered him a residence known as the “Mirror Residence” (Dar Lamraya) in Fez. But Sidna Shaykh declined the offer because of a deep feeling that annoyed him. Sultan Sulayman noticed it and talked to him to reassure him and to remove any doubt on the matter. Sidna Shaykh informed his close companions he would live in that residence with the approval of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered him to give the equivalent of the rent to the poor. Thus, he kept on giving the value of the rent in bread to the poor all the time he stayed in the residence until his death. When Sidna Shaykh got the official authorization from the Sultan Sulayman to build the Grand  Zawiya of Fez, the latter sent him two purses containing each a thousand riyals, and told him: "Use this money for the construction." But Sidna Shaykh returned the gift arguing that “all matters pertaining to him rest between the hands of Allah.” The sultan really insisted to have him accept the money. Sidna Shaykh finally accepted, but refrained from spending it on the construction of the Zawiya. He ordered that the money be distributed to the poor and the needy.

Sidna Shaykh had best characterized the Sultan's posture on Sufism: an aversion for syncretism. The sultan took the Ahmediya Mohammediya Tijaniya at the order of his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him) who testified to him that he was of his lineage. He witnessed prodigies from Sidna Shaykh which strengthened his belief in him. It has been reported he often asked Sidna Shaykh to allow him to see the Prophet (peace and peace be upon him) while being awake. Sidna Shaykh answered: "I am afraid you might no be able to withstand it.” He persisted in his request until Sidna Shaykh finally accepted his wish. First of all, he advised him to keep it secret and specially reserve a pure and empty place for this encounter, and to be alone. When, after he prepared everything in accordance with the recommendations of Sidna Shaykh he decided to enter the place, an intense fear mixed with respect seized him. He therefore was unable to stay inside alone to do the particular dhikr he received from Sidna Shaykh. Under the effect of his emotions, he asked Sidna Shaykh to personally assist him. Sidna Shaykh agreed to go with him inside that place devoted to welcoming the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). It was while he was reciting the dhikr that an intense light, springing from Mohammadian lights, filled up the place. Being unable to withstand the intensity of that light, the sultan fainted. When he awoke, he found Sidna Shaykh’s palm rest on his chest. Sidna Shaykh told him: "You are well, and the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) guarantees you this and that." The sultan replied, "May Allah reward you in blessings. Indeed you warned me that I would not withstand the encounter, which I personally experienced." Since then, whenever the Sultan visited Sidna Shaykh he made a point of behaving in a humble manner and acted as a servant in the saint’s presence. More, the Mohammedian Bounty on the Sultan was so gracious in the extent that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) asked Sidna Shaykh to initiate him this Mohammediya Path. 

“(..) I have a serious an important matter to convey to you from the master thanks to whom everything exists, the river of generosity, Sidna Mohammed (peace be upon him). He told me this: “Write a letter to our son Sulayman ibn Mohammed, prince of the believers, and tell him there is nothing on earth greater in merit and in danger than my wird, the wird I dictated to you. Tell him to recite it, for indeed, Allah will purify his life on earth and in the hereafter thanks to the recitation of this wird. Inform him there is nothing on earth greater in merit and in danger than the invocation known as al-Sayfi that I had dictated to Ali ibn Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). By reciting it Allah keeps away both apparent and hidden calamities from him, which will bring him good here and in the hereafter. Teach him the prayer of consultation that I had taught you and the recitation of al-Fatiha seven times, together with the evocation of the Name after his prayers. Tell him not to give in to self-neglect, to do his utmost to say prayers on me, the Salat al-Fatih. It is through unceasing efforts that Allah will purify both his inner and outer status. Also, do as much as you can to teach him some of the merits of the Salat al-Fatih. These are the words that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me to forward to you. You should be well aware that my relationship with him is that of a servant towards a king, me, the servant sitting beside him (the king) silent and respectful. The servant has nothing to ask nor receive from the king. If the king gives orders, the servant only executes. He is happy sitting near the king, silently and respectfully. I can neither ask him anything, nor put questions to him. I take no initiatives towards him. He gives orders and I execute them. He has for years protected and brought me up in such a way that I can neither ask him anything nor question him. As concerns the wird he dictated to me and ordered me to convey to people, it should be said as follows: Istighfar (100 times),  Salat al-Fatih (100 times),  La ilaha ila Allah (100 times). You should therefore recite it twice a day, one in the morning, and once in the evening or at night. Do so for the morning wird anytime between the Subh and Dhuhr prayers, and for the evening wird, between the Asr and Isha prayers. Before giving me the wird, he (the Prophet, peace be upon him) informed me that Allah will allow in paradise any man who regularly recites his wird, and with him his parents and wives and children, without being accountable for anything and without punishment. Such a man will also undergo no punishment from his death to his settling in paradise. As for the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) message about the  Salat al-Fatih, the recitation of al-Fatiha with the intention of the Name, al-Sayfi and the prayer of consultation, I will give you more information about them in another letter. May Allah’s prayers and peace be upon the Prophet."

Two months after his settlement in Fez, Sidna Shaykh gave the al-Khalifa al-Mu'adham  Abul Hassan Sidi Ali Berrada permission to start the complication of the Jawahir al-ma'ani wa-bulugh al-amani fi fayd Sidi Abil al-Abbas at-Tijani (Gems of Indications and Attainment of Aspirations in the Overflowings of Sidi Abil Abbas Tijani) by an order from his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him). The  Holy Prophet have arrogated the book to himself by saying, "I am the author of this book" (kitab-i huwa wa ana al-ladi katabtuh). Al-Khalifa Harazem was among the most  intimate companions (khassat al-khassa) of Sidna Shaykh. He had a high rank before the Shaykh who used to praise him so much about his qualities before his companions that caused jealousy among them. It was reported from Sidna Shaykh that the Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) told him: ''He is for you, what Abu Bakr was for me." Among the sayings of the Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) to Sidna Shaykh is the following: ''O Ahmed! Ask the opinion of your servant and your beloved (Harazem). Indeed he is for you in the rank of Harun (Heron) for Musa (Moses). I do not advise you something better than this about him, may peace be upon you.” Observing his baraka, the sultan Moulay Sulayman demanded from Sidi Ali Harazem to perform the daily obligatory Tijani wird on his behalf.   

One year after his entrance to Fez on the Mu'harram of 1212 /1797 Sidna Shaykh was entrusted with the Qutbaniya (Absolute General Authorization) he longingly sought. It is well-known that the invisible hierarchy of sainthood consists of 40 abdal (substitutes; for when any of them dies another is elected by God from the rank and file of the saints), seven awtad (stakes, or props, of faith), three nuqaba' (leaders; one who introduces people to his master), headed by the Qutb (axis, pole). The Qutb, who is usually used as a synonym for the Ghawt (succour), al-Qutb al-Jami'a (the cardinal pole), or Qutb al-Aqtab (pole of poles), represents the generative authority of sainthood. The author of  Minya-t al-Murid (The Desire of the Seeker), Sidi Tijani b. Baba Chinguiti’s (d. 1260/1845), claimed that Sidna Shaykh attained the Qutbaniya on Mount Arafat, the scared mountain outside Mecca. Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Arbi Sayeh explains in the Bughya that the Chinguiti has learned this information from the son of Sidna Shaykh, Mawlana Mohammed al-Habib ibn Mawlana Abil Abbas Tijani (d. 1269/1854). 

Sidna Shaykh appeared in the highest level of Qutbaniya; that of al-Khatmiya or Khatm al-Wilaya al-Mohammediya al-Khassa (Sealness of Special Mohammedian Sainthood). It does not mean that there is no saint after him. It rather means that he is the intermediary between the prophets and the saints from pre-existence to eternity (mina al-azal ila abad), so that not one of the saints, whether his importance is great or small, can receive an overflow from the presence of a Prophet except through his mediation, since that saint is not conscious of what is involved. The prolific Tijani penman, Sidi Ahmed Skirej al-Fasi (d. 1366/1940) dismantles that, "Authorized sainthood (al-wilaya al-ma’aduna) which is a special inheritance (wiratha) from the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) is divided to general (‘aam) and private (khass) as mentioned by the Sufis. The source of both emanates either from the inner prophethood (batin al-risala), inner messengerhood (batin al-nubuwwa), or from the Mohammedian Essence (ad-dhat al-Mohammediya). Each of these can be attained by the saints. The only difference, however, is in the degree of appearance and manifestation at the rank (maqam)." Accordingly, the term of seal (khatm) stands for various meanings  in Sufi literature. Explains he,

"At times the term khatm characterises the maqam of the "Absolute General Authorization" (al-qutbaniya al-jami'a al-'udhma), that is graded one rank bellow that of the prophets (anbiya) and companions (sa'haba) of the Holy Prophet (peace an blessing be upon him). Only those very unique Mohammedian-Poles reach this khatmiya maqam. One person only occupies it at every age, resembling, on the other hand, the Reviver of Faith (al-mujaddid) that appears at every 100 years. The mujaddid is not restricted to one person and one person only.  Numerous poles claimed this khatmiya rank such as Sidi Mohammed Wafa (d. 765/1350), Imam al-Qushashi (d. 1074/1661), and others (may Allah be pleased with all). Compliance with the Shari’a by heart and recollection (without having to resort to an aid) is a prerequisite of this khatmiya. Knowledge of the names of each animal, plant, mineral metal and other beings is another prerequisite. Sidi Ali ibn Mohammed Wafa (807/1404) said: "The most perfect saint in every age is the one who manifests his divine revelation and gnosis in a way people could never have guessed". Therefore each khatm (in this typology) possesses special manifestation in accordance to his rank. Hence levels of variance exist (in every age). The particularity of this khatmiya (in the historical cycle inaugurated by the prophethood of the Holy Prophet) was fastened and sealed by the Greatest Seal (al-khatm al-akbar), the Famous Gnostic (al-'arif shahir), the Sun of Gnosis (shams al-ma'arif), Mawlana Ahmed Tijani. Shaykh Tijani's great sealness of the khatmiya maqam indicates that no one will ever appear in this maqam the way he appeared and manifested in it as he sealed the absolute appearance (ad-duhur at-tam) of the khatmiya maqam. This does not indicate that he sealed its appearance nor no one after him will attain the rank of sainthood (wilaya) as it is commonly misunderstood. The khatmiya maqam's absolute appearance was claimed before by Sidi Muhyiddin ibn Arabi al-‘Hatimi (d. 636/1221) when he said: “We no doubt sealed sainthood by inheriting the Hachimi and the Messiah”. However he retracted (taraja'a) later when aware that the full, complete and absolute appearance in that maqam is to be for some one else. He discover not who will attain such absolute appearance. That is why, like other saints, called such a khatm: the Concealed (al-Maktum)."

Ibn Arabi went too far to connect the nature of the Sealness of Prophethood with Mohammedian Sainthood. According to him, “The meaning of the Prophet's saying:  ‘I was a Prophet while Adam was between the water and the clay -is 'I was a Prophet in actual fact, aware of my Prophethood, while Adam was between the water and the clay.” He then went on to say "None of the other Prophets was a Prophet, nor aware of his Prophethood, except when he was sent (on his mission) after his coming into existence with his material body and his complete fulfilment of the preconditions of Prophethood." Then he added: “the Seal of the Saints was likewise actually a saint, aware of his sainthood, while was between the water and the clay, and none of the other saints was a saint in actual fact, nor aware of his sainthood, except after his acquisition of the Divine characteristics that are stipulated in the definition of sainthood." Because he is characterised by the complete assimilation of the Mohammedian paradigm, the Seal of Sainthood acts as a deputy  (khalifa) of Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and symbolically takes his place in isthmus (al-barzakh) as well as during the time allotted to him on earth. Sidna Shaykh expresses his khatmiya-katmiya complex in various forms,

“The bounties that flow from the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) are received by the natures of the prophets, and everything that flows and emerges from the natures of the Prophets is received by my own nature, and from me it is distributed to all creatures from the origin of the world until the blowing on the trumpet”; “No saint drinks or provides water to drink, except from our ocean, from the origin of the world until the blowing on the trumpet”; “The spirit of the Prophet and my spirit are like this'--pointing with his two fingers, the index finger and the middle finger. 'His spirit supports the Messengers and the Prophets and my spirit supports the poles, the sages, the saints, from pre-existence to eternity (mina al-azal ila abad)”; “These two feet of mine are upon the neck of every saint of Allah, from the time of Adam until the blowing of the trumpet”; All the saints will be incorporated into our Circle, take our Wird and be initiated into our Path from the origin of the world until the doomsday. Even al-Imam Mahdi will receive our Path when the end of times arrives, and he will enter our company after our death”; “'Our station in the Presence of Allah in the Hereafter will not be attained by any of the saints, and it will not be approached by anyone, whether his importance is great or small. Of all the saints among from the very beginning of creation until the blowing on the trumpet, there is not one who will attain to my station.” 

قال سيدنا رضي الله تعالى عنه: "إن جميع الأولياء يدخلون زمرتنا ويأخذون أورادنا ويتمسكوا بطريقتنا مـــن أول الوجود إلي يوم القيامة حتى الإمام المهدي إذا  قام آخر الزمان يدخل زمرتنا بعد مماتنا وانتقالنا إلى دار البقاء." "طائفة من أصحابنا لو اجتمعت أقطاب الأمة ما وزنوا شعرة من بحر أحدهم والآن قد ظهر واحدا منهم." "لو أطلع أكابر الأقطاب على ما أعده الله لأصحابنا في الجنة لبكوا عليه طول أعمارهم وقالوا ما أعطيتنا شي يا ربنا." "أنا سيد الأولياء كما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سيد الأنبياء"."لا يشرب ولي ولا يسقى إلا من بحرنا من نشأة العالم إلى النفخ في الصور." "إن نسبة الأقطاب معي كنسبة العامة مع الأقطاب." "إن لنا مرتبة تناهت في العلو عند الله تعالى إلى حد يحرم ذكره وليس هو ما أفشيته لكم ولو صرحت به لأجمع أهل الحق والعرفان على كفري فضلا عمن عداهم وليست هي التي ذكرت لكم بل هي من ورائها." "طابعنا يغلب على كل طابع ولا يغلب عليه طابع."وقال رضي الله تعالى عنه وأرضاه مشيرا بأصبعيه السبابة والوسطى: "روحه صلى الله عليه وسلم وروحي هكذا روحه صلى الله عليه وسلم تمد الرسل والأنبياء عليهم السلام وروحي تمد الأقطاب والعارفين والأولياء من الأزل إلى الأبد.""كل الطرائق تدخل عليها‏ طريقتنا فتبطلها وطابعنا يركب على كل طابع ولا يحمل طابعنا غيره""من ترك وردًا من أوراد المشايخ لأجل الدخول في طريقتنا هذه المحمدية التي شرفها الله تعالى على جميع الطرق أمنه الله في الدنيا والآخرة فلا يخاف من شيء يصيبه لا من الله ولا من رسوله ولا من شيخه أيا كان من الأحياء أو من الأموات‏. وأما من دخل زمرتنا وتأخر عنها ودخل غيرها تحل به مصائب الدنيا وأخرى ولا يفلح أبدًا" "‏وليس لأحد من الرجال أن يدخل كافة أصحابه الجنة بلا حساب ولا عقاب ولو عملوا من الذنوب ما عملوا وبلغوا إلا أنا وحدي" "إن أصحابنا يوم القيامة ليسوا مع الناس في الموقف بل هم مكشفون في ظل العرش في موضع وحدهم و لا يقدم عليهم أحد في دخول الجنة إلا الصحابة رضي الله عنهم." لما قيل له رضي الله عنه و أرضاه و عنا به بمَ نالوا ذلك قال: "من أجلي." قلتُ (أي العلامة سكيرج) و سره يظهر في قوله صلى الله عليه و سلم له رضي الله عنه و أرضاه و عنا به: "و فقراؤك فقراءي و تلاميذك تلاميذي و أصحابك أصحابي." فعُلِم أن بين أصحابه صلى الله عليه و سلم و بين أصحاب هذا الشيخ رضي الله تعالى عنه مناسبة تامة و لتلك المناسبة كانوا عند الله من الأكابر و إن كانوا في الظاهر من جملة العوام."  

In the book of ‘Anqa’ Maghreb fi khatm al-awliya wa shams al-Maghreb (The Western Phoenix in the Seal of Saints and Sun of Maghreb), Ibn Arabi introduces the Seal of Sainthood as, “the inheriting saint, who receives from the source, who recognizes the degrees and ascertains the entitlement of their holders, in order to give each creditor his rightful due, for that is one of the virtues of the Chieftain of the Envoys, the Captain of the Community." In Tijani terms, the Khatmiya nature is best understood in the concepts of fayd (overflowing) and hierarchy of divine presences (al-'Hadarat). Sidi Omar al-Futi provide us with a list of seven circles arranged in the same order as the Presences: 

(1)    The all encompassing Ahmedi Mohammedian circle (al-‘Hadra al-Ahmediya al-Mohammediya). As previously explained, no one has any share in its content, because of its sublimity.

(2)   The circle which comprises the sphere of the supportive Mohammediya Reality (al-‘Haqiqa al-Mohammediya).  It has two openings: The first, an opening in its highest part, through which our masters the Prophets (blessing and peace be upon them all) receive the bountiful grace that is bestowed on them from the nature of the Chieftain of Existence (Peace and blessing be upon him). The second, an opening in its right side, through which the Seal of the Saints (Khatm al-Awliya) receives the support that is peculiar to him, without the mediation of anyone between him and the Chieftain of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him).  No one has any comprehension of that bountiful grace. 

(3)   The circle which comprises the sphere of the Presences of our masters the Prophets (Hadrat al-Anbiya). It has an opening in its highest side, through which the Presence of the Seal receives the bountiful grace that flows from it.

(4)   The circle which comprises the sphere of the Presence of the Seal (Hadrat al Khatm). It has two openings: The first, an opening in the right side, through which bountiful grace is bestowed upon the Presence of the people of his Spiritual Path in particular. The second, an opening in the right side, through which bountiful grace is bestowed upon the Presence of the Shaykhs, which includes their Presences in general. As for the bounties that flow from the sphere of the Presence of the Seal to the sphere of the people of his Path in particular, however, they are more numerous, more excellent, more splendid, more copious, more voluminous and more tremendous than the bounties that flow from it to the sphere of the Presences of our masters the Shaykhs, the people of their Paths, including our masters the saints (may Allah be well pleased with them). Indeed, what flows from the sphere of the Presence of the Seal to the sphere of the Presences of the Shaykhs, in comparison with what flows from the sphere of the Presence of the Seal to the Presence of the people of his Spiritual Path in particular, is like a drop of water in comparison with the mighty ocean. This accounts for the superiority of the people of his Spiritual Path over others.

(5)    The circle which comprises the sphere of the Presence of the people of his Path (Hadrat al-Ashab). It has an opening through which they receive the bountiful grace bestowed by the Seal upon them in particular, consisting of the support peculiar to him, which flows from the Mohammedian Reality, of which our masters the Prophets have no comprehension.  This also explains their superiority over others. As Allah has said: “Favor is in Allah’s hand, to bestow on whomever He will” (57:29). (…)

(6)   (Hadrat al-Mashayikh): The circle of the Presence of the ghawts (Helpers of Time), qutbs (poles), and shaykhs (Sufi masters), which contains their Presences. It has an opening for the people of their Spiritual Paths.  

(7)  The circle which contains the sphere of the followers (Hadrat al-Atba’a) of their Spiritual Paths. The Presence of the people of each Spiritual Path receives support from their Shaykh, and the Shaykhs receive support from the Seal.

"Suppose you raise the question", Shaykh Sidi Omar al-Futi discussed, “How can the latter day saint be more excellent than the great saints of earlier times, whose excellence has been disseminated and come to be widely known, and whose fame has spread in the east and the west, like Shaykh Abdellqadir al-Jilani, Shaykh Abul Hassan Shadhili, and others of their kind (may Allah be well pleased with them all). My answer to this will be: “Due to the fact that the latter day Prophet Sidna Mohammed (Peace and blessing be upon him) is more excellent than Abraham, the Bosom Friend of Allah, and Moses, and Jesus, and others among the Prophets and the Messengers (upon our Prophet and upon them be the most excellent blessing and peace). Abul Mawahib al Tunsi ("Sidi Abdellaziz Tunsi; d. 468/1053) (may Allah be well pleased with him) said: “You must beware of saying: ‘The great ones and the truthful ones among the spiritual paupers have departed, for they have not departed in reality. They are simply like the treasure of the keeper of the vault. To someone who comes in the later time, Allah may give what He withheld from the people of the earlier age, for Allah gave to Sidna Mohammed (may Peace and blessing be upon him) what He did not give to the Prophets before him.”

There is a little question that grand saints venerated Sidna Shaykh as a Seal of Mohammedian Sainthood in his lifetime. The Khalwati master, Sidi Mahmud al-Kurdi al-Iraqi (d. 1186/1771), has already indicated that Sidna Shaykh's potential was more advanced than the Qutbaniya he was seeking. A Tunisian Shadhili shaykh, on the other hand, confessed to the venerated muqaddam, Sidi Ahmed ibn Mohammed Abdellawi (d. 1328/1913), that he receives provision through the sphere of Mawlana Shaykh Tijani. Even the Shaykh in Shari’a and Tariqa, the source of secrets and realities, Moulay Abdellqadir al-Jilani (d. 563/1148), perceived the Tijanite Khatmiya. Kashf al-Hijab depicts that the companion of Sidna Shaykh, Sidi Abul Hassan Ali ibn Chtiwi al-Jaridi, has often met the spirit Moulay Abdellqadir from whom he received initiation of his Tariqa. Hunting was his occupation; one day while hunting a gazelle with all his attention on his prey, appeared before him Moulay Abdellqadir saddled on his horse. He was embarrassed that his Shaykh found him in such a situation. They started discussing and our personage inquired the Shaykh: "O my master, we heard about a Shaykh that came to Abi Samghoune, what do you say about him?" He answered to his inquiry, "O my son, he is the tree under which shadow all of us find shelter." Hearing this caused Sidi Ali to affiliate himself with Sidna Shaykh. It is also reported by Sidi Abul Hassan Harazem that he heared Sidna Shaykh saying, “I have asked the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him): “O Master, the Shaykh Mawlana Abdellqadir al-Jilani said, 'My stamp cannot be overstamped.' The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) responded: “O Ahmed your stamp can overtake any stamp and the other stamps cannot overtake yours”.  

قال سيدنا رضي الله تعالى عنه: "أخبرني سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم بأني أنا القطب المكتوم والبرزخ المختوم مشافَهةً يقَظةً لا مناما."

On the 18th of Safar, one month and few days on achiveing the Qutbaniya, Sidna Shaykh perceived his great rank: i.e. Maqam al-Katmiya (Stage of Concealhood). Thus he gained eternal fame with the title of the "Concealed Pole” (al-Qutb al-Maktum). Sidna Shaykh said, "The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) told me in daylight not in state of sleepiness that I was the Concealed Pole (al-Qutb al-Maktum) and the Sealed Isthmus (al-Barzakh al-Makhtum)". The quiddity of this rank is concealed. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, "[Al-Qutb al-Maktum] is the one Allah had concealed from His angles and prophets except me". According to Sidi Mohammed al-Ghali Boutaleb (d. 1244/1829) Sidna Shaykh lived 30 years in the Katmiya. The scholar Sidi Mohammed ibn al-Mishri (d. 1224/1809) remarks in Kitab al-Jami'a, "The Hidden Pole has a position facing the Mohammedian Reality that will never be for anyone else from amongst all the greatest of the saints (may Allah be pleased with all of them). With that said, verily his reality in that position which is specific to him will not occur to anyone but God and the Chieftain of Existence (peace and blessing be upon him) because he has a relationship with the Mohammedian Reality." In the Jawahir al-Maani, Sidna Shaykh Abul Abbas Tijani is quoted to say the following on the Mohammedian Reality, 

"Know that when Allah created the Mohammedian Reality, He placed inside it all that He apportioned for the creation from the outpouring of knowledge, gnosis, secrets, manifestations, light, as well as the creation (itself) by way of all its rulings, necessities, and requirements. Also know that he (peace and blessing be upon him) is now ascending in perfect witnessing of the Divine in such a way that no one else could ever hope for. This perfection will never end for the duration of an eternity of eternities. Regarding this, there is nothing within the essences of existence anything more worthy of respect or greater than this Mohammedian Reality nor purer or cleaner or more perfect. Again, verily it is in its actual reality unreachable and unrecognisable. Uwais al Qarni (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Sidna Omar and Sidna Ali (may Allah be pleased with both of them) when they met him: “You haven't see anything of the Prophet but his shadow.” They replied: “Not even the son of Abi Qahafa" (Sidna Abu Bakr). He replied, "Not even the son of Abi Qahafa." He did not say that to them until he had reach into the depths of gnosis wherein he sought a place in the essence of the Mohammedian Reality. It was said to him: “This is an affair whose arrival is incapacitated for even the greatest of the Prophets so its hopeless for anyone in any aspect or state." Abu Yazid said (may Allah be pleased with him): "I underwent the depths of gnosises in search of place at the essence of the Mohammedian Reality to where I found between me and it a thousand veils of light. If I approached the first veil I would be burned just as a hair is burned when cast into the fire, and so I merely delayed the retreat.”

More, Shaykh al-Islam Abul Fayd Sidi al-Haj Ibrahim ibn Abdullah Niass al-Kulakhi (d. 1390/1975) has said,    

“The Mohammedian Reality is manifested on the reality of Sidna Shaykh, the Concealed Pole and Seal of Sainthood, from the primordial time till period of his appearance. Sidna Shaykh is the only saint that receives divine providence directly from his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him). The Mohammedian Reality manifested on Sidna Shaykh encloses all the attributes of his grandfather (peace and blessing be upon him) save that of prophethood. That is the reason why Sidna Shaykh Tijani was named the Best of all Saints. Whoever drinks from the spiritual sea of Mohammedian Reality will emerge as prophet save Sidna Shaykh Tijani who drank from it and did not become a prophet but a saint. (...) Shaykh Tijani is the source of sainthood and all creation receive its divine providence from his nature from the primordial time till the day of resurrection. Sidna Shaykh said: “My two feet steps on the neck of all saints from the period of Adam to the day of resurrection”. I (Shaykh Niass) say there is no controversy over this, what he means by his two feet his Sufi order and his reality. He asserted, through ecstatic utterances that “I am He and He is I and if I am asked thousands of questions, I will answer in one word”. By virtue of this he emerged as a Seal of Saints just like the Prophet (pace and blessing be upon him) emerged as Seal of Prophets. The Tijani Sufi Path abrogated all Sufi Orders just like the Divine Law (Shari’a) of the Prophet abrogated all laws before him.”

Al-Khalifa al-Mu'addam, Sidi Abul Hassan Harrazem, enumerated the following virtues (karamat) Allah have bestowed upon Sidna Shaykh,

        1.       (That) Allah has gathered and assembled for him both poleness (al-qutbaniya) and obsoleteness (al-fardaniya), 2.      The intercession for the people of his time during his life until his death, 3.      (That) Allah made him reach the sublime knowledge within his presence a number of one million people multiplied by itself then fourfold and close to this number are women and the Jinns. Thus this number will be reaching the stations of perfect knowledge (kamal al-ma'arifa), love (al-ma'habba), direct perception (al-mushahada), certitude (al-yaqin), oneness (al-tawhid), courtesies (al-adaab), science (al-'ilm), the straightforwardness (al-istiqama). 4.      (That) the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had orally taught him the (litany of) "Dur al-Anwar", and that it did not exist in the universe except what has Allah appeared it to our Master through the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), and it is equal to the “Greatest Name” in acceptance. 5.       (That) the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had taught him the he  (litany of) the “Idrissid Names” (al-Asmae al-Idrissiya). 6.      (That) Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him and gave him and made him reach the Qutbaniya of spiritual education (tarbiya) and eye glance (nadra) leading the disciple to the perfect knowledge, direct perception, certitude, oneness, courtesies, science, and straightforwardness. He can lead him to Allah from his initial walking to his desire in an eye glance. And promote his heart with his secret (sirr) not in attitude. He makes him reach in a quick eye glance (nadhra) extracting him (as a result) from the obstacles of the stage of Islam (maqam al-Islam) and the stage of faith (maqam al-iman) and the stage of beneficence (maqam al-I’hsan) so that he can embellish him with that one eye glance (nadhra) with the three above stances leading him (to reach), with it (nadhra), in drunkenness (sukran) and awakening (sa’hwan) and subsistence (sa’hwan) and annihilation (baqa’an); as he sees no one with his heart in a remote place and in spite of the fact he is an unbeliever or a despot king and by that Master’s eye glance he will be a complete knower in God (‘arif kamil). All these achievements need no companionship or spiritual education, but the Shaykh can only look at him through his heart whenever this disciple who is an unknown element is based, and therefore turns him immediately into to a perfect knowledgeable man. 7.      (That)  the Shaykh’s supply (madad) shall continue to flow until the doomsday as his paths (may Allah be pleased with him) on human beings exceed the number of ten thousand; each path is leaded by a student of his; each path is derived into other paths of gnosis until the doomsday, while the Jinn’s paths exceed the number of ten thousand and each path is also derived into sections until the doomsday where Almighty Allah shall inherit the earth and what is upon it. The particularity of the wird is also ever lasting until the doomsday provided it is read and it is daily remembered, and may all the pleasure of God be upon Sidi Ahmed through the blessings of our Dearest Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). 8.      (That) the Almighty has provided him the Greatest Name of Allah that specially reserved for the Holy Prophet (al-Ism al-A’adham al-Kabir al-Khass bi-Rasulillah) and in which I cannot go further into it and the one interested in it should read the Jawahir Al-Ma’ani.    

قال العلامة سيدي محمد ابن المشري رضي الله تعالى عنه: سمعت شيخنا رضي الله عنه يقول: القطب المكتوم له تجلي باطني يضاهي تجليات الأنبياء يتجلى له الحق سبحانه في كل لحظة مائة ألف تجلي، مثلا كل تجلي يعطي فيه ما يعطى لجميع أهل الجنة مائة ألف مرة أو أكثر منها ويؤدي وظائف كل واحد في تلك اللحظة، ثم في اللحظة الثانية يتجلى له بتجليات يصير جميع ما تقدم عليها من التجليات جزءا من مائة ألف جزء من تجل واحد، وهكذا التي بعدها في اللحظة الثالثة وقس عليها إلى ما لا نهاية له ولا حد، وله أيضا جمعية جميع ما يعطى لجميع العوالم من الفيض ما عدى الأنبياء وكذلك جميع العوالم تستمد منه كما تقدم وهو الواسطة بينهما وبين الحقيقة المحمدية عليه الصلاة والسلام ما عدى الأنبياء، فإنهم يستمدون منها بغير واسطة. وله وقفة ومقابلة للحقيقة المحمدية لم تكن لغيره من جميع الأكابر. ومع هذا، إن حقيقته في مقامه الخاص به لم يطلع عليها أحد إلا الله تعالى وسيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم لأن له نسبة من حقيقته المحمدية لكونها لم يطلع عليها أحد من الأكابر ولا يعلمها إلا الله وصاحبها عليه الصلاة والسلام. وهذا الحكم لها في الدنيا والآخرة، وكذلك حقيقة القطب المكتوم. ثم قال مرة أخرى : نسبة الأقطاب معه كنسبة العامة مع الأقطاب، لأن مقامه في غيب الغيب لا علم لهم به لا دنيا ولا آخرة، لأن له مقاما في الجنة لا يعلمه حتى الأنبياء عليهم الصلاة والسلام. قيل له حيث كان: ما ذكرتم فيه لا ينتفع به أحد. قال أصحابه الذين يعرفون ذاته البشرية وإن كانوا لا يرون إلا ظله وانتفعوا به دنيا وأخرى ولهذا المقام الأفخم قال في بعض شطحاته: فلا يقدر أحد من الرجال ان يدخل كافة أصحابه الجنة بغير حساب ولا عقاب إلا أنا وحدي وإن عملوا من الذنوب ما عملوا وبلغوا من المعاصي ما بلغوا كما هو مذكور في رسالة التحدث بالنعمة. و خص الله تعالى سيدنا بأسرار وأمور لم تكن لغير، منها أن الاسم الأعظم الكبير، الكامل من الرجال يذكره في اليوم مرة او مرتين، وطلب هو من سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يذكره كل يوم عر مائة ألف مرة وضمنها له وطلب أن يجمع له بين القطبانية والفردانية وضمنها له، وكثرة الصحاب من الجن والإنس وضمنهم له، وأسرار مكتومة لم يمكن ذكرها هنا. وسيأتي ذكر شيء من فضل الاسم الأعظم والفاتحة مما يدلك على خصوصية هذا السيد العظيم، وأمور غير هذه. ثم قال سيدنا رضي الله عنه: ليس مرتبة كاملة من كل وجه وصاحبها محيط بجميع المراتب إلا له صلى الله عليه وسلم او القطب المكتوم، فإن مرتبته جامعة ومحيطة لجميع المراتب وسمعت سيدنا رضي الله عنه يقول: طلبت سيدنا صلى الله عليه وسلم بلوغ  الغاةي في أقصا مقام القطبانية إلي ما فوقها إلا مقام النبوءة. (...) فأكبر مناقبه ما تقدم ذكره في الفصل الذي قبل هذا من المقام الذي خصه الله به ولم يعط لغير، ومن أكبر مناقبه ما خصه الله به من فيض الفاتح لما أغلق الخ... ومما خصه الله به، إدراك جميع العلوم المحمدية وهي مائة علم واحدى عشر علما. قال بعض العارفين: ينقسم كل علم منها إلى اثنين وسبعين جزءا وكل جزء من هذه الصغار ينقسم إلى اثنين وسبعين جزءا. وقال شيخنا رضي الله: بل كل علم منها ينقسم إلى مائة ألف واحدى عشر ألف جزء، وكل جزء ينقسم الى مائة ألف علم واحدى عشر ألف علم. من علم علما من هذه العلوم علم علوم الأولين والآخرين، الكامل من الرجال يدرك منها اثنين وسبعين كمولانا عبد السلام بن مشيش. وأخبرنا رضي الله عنه انه طلبها من سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم وضمنها له، وهي من اعظم خصوصية له رضي الله عنه. ومن مناقبه رضي الله عنه ان أصحابه الداخلين في طريقته لهم مراتب يوم القيامة أكبر من مراتب الأولياء. ومنها أنه قال: قال لي الواسطة المعظم رحمه الله: أتاني ملك من اعظم الملائكة وأفضلهم وقال لي: إذا سمعت الملائكة اسمي ترتعد هيبة من الله، وأحمد التجاني فضله أعظم من فضلي، وهذا الملك هو الذي علمه مفتاح القطبانية، ومنها أنه قال لي: إذا خرج السعال مني في حال الذكر خرج معه من فمي نور مثل البرق حتى تضيء البيت كله مهما وقع مني السعال خرج معه. ومنها أننا كنا يوما نذكر بين يديه ما يشاهد الأولياء من الخوارق قال لنا رضي الله عنه: ما وقع لي من هذا إلا مرة واحدة كنت سكرت من اول النهار إلى بعد العصر فشاهدت عوالم لا مثال لها في هذا العالم ولا ما يصوره الفكر، وكأني ملك عليها أتصرف فيها. ومن كراماته رضي الله عنه انه قال: ضمن لي من الأصحاب كرامة من الله وفضلا ألف ألف ألف ألف من الرجال إلى أن تعد أربع مراتب ومائة ألف ألف ألف من النساء، وضمن لي الغنى ما دمت حيا ولأولادي ولأولادهم أي اولاد الصلب والحفدة، ومنها أنه يشفع في أهل العصر كافة، ومن كراماته الكبرى التي شاعت في الأقطار واستفاضت في البوادي والقرى والأمصار وهو قول سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم له أن كل من رأى وجهك يوم الجمعة أو يوم الاثنين دخل الجنة بلا حساب ولا عقاب. وقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم لقدوتنا : بعزة ربي يوم الاثنين ويوم الجمعة لم أفارقك فيهما من الفجر إلى الغروب ومعي سبعة من الأملاك، وكل من يراك في اليومين يكتبون اسمه في ورقة من ذهب يكتبونه من أهل  الجنة وأنا شاهد على ذلك، وتكثر من الصلاة علي في هذين اليومين، كل صلاة تصليها علي أسمعك وأرد عليك، وكذلك جميع أعمالك تعرض علي والسلام. و منها أني سمعته رضي الله عنه يقول: قال لي سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم: لك في الجنة أربعون مقاما من مقامات الأنبياء. ومنها أنه قال لي: إذا بلغت مقام كذا يكون لك تصرف عظيم وتكون لك عوالم وتربح على يديك أناس وتخسر أخرى. ومنها انه قال لي: طلبت سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم ان يضمن لي قبول أعمالي كلها فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم: أعمالك مقبولة على أي حال كانت وطلبته أيضا فقلت له: أردت تمكين المحبة منك ومن الله لي ودوام الرضا منك ومن الله لي والاعتناء منك ومن الله بي. فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم ما معناه هو في الأوراد التي أعطيتها لك، ثم قال: وضمن لي الأمان من البلاء. قلت له: من بلاء الآخرة والدنيا؟ قال رضي الله عنه: أوليس. قال لي صلى الله عليه وسلم: أنت من الآمنين وكل من أحبك من الآمنين. قلت له: نعم. فلله الحمد وله المنة على هذه الكرامة العظمى (...) ومنها أني سمعته يقول: إني طلبت سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم أن من سبك ولم يتب لايموت إلا كافرا وإن حج وإن جاهد. قلت: إلا أن يكون شريفا من اهل البيت فإنهم لا يموتون على الكفر وإن عملوا من الذنوب ما عملوا لأنهم مطهرون. ومن كراماته ان كل بلد نزل بها كثرت فيها الخيرات وهذا مما يشهد به أهل كل موضع حل فيه، إلا أن يجحدوا نعمة الله عليهم. وأما أحبابه، فإن هذا أمر مجرب عندهم مرارا لا يشكون فيه، ولهذا كل واحد يرغب في نزوله في وطنه وإلى الآن لم ندر أي موضع يكون قراره. نسأل الله جلت عظمته أن لا يفارق بيننا وبينه من الآن إلى الاستقرار في عليين آمين. ومن اكبر كراماته حفظه للعلوم النافعة، فكل من أراد أن يسأله أو يكتب. عليه يملي عليه من غير تأمل في كل ما أراد، كأنه لوح بين عينيه ينظر فيه، وهذا مشاهد للخاصة والعامة. وقال لي مرة بعد أن كتبت عليه جواب مسئلة: لو سألني أحد أربع سنين وأنا أملي عليه وهو يكتب لم يفرغ، يعني من غير تأمل. قلت: وهذه أحوال أهل العلم اللدني رضي الله عنهم. وذكر لي الشيخ رضي الله عنه أنه استحضر كتابا في ذهنه من اوله إلى آخره بأبوابه وفصوله و مسائله وقال لي: ذكرت فيه بعض مغالط الفقهاء، أهل العلم الظاهر وأهل علم الكلام وفوائد لم يذكرها غيره. وقال لي سميته كتاب النص والفتوى فيما عمت به البلوى. وإلى الآن لم يخرجه الينا هـ. ولا يستغرب هذا منه لأن سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له كل ما امليت فأنت مترجم عني، أو كلاما هذا معناه. ولا يستغرب هذا منه لأن سيد الوجود صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لهك كل ما امليت فأنت مترجم عني، أو كلاما هذا معناه . (..) ومن مناقبه، علمه بالوقت وهو علم خاص لا يعلمه إلا بعض الخواص من الأولياء. وأما كشفه رضي الله عنه فإنه كان كثيرا ما يستره بقوله: قلبي يحدثني أو وقع في خاطري كذا وكذا فيخرج كما قال. وأخبرني مرة بقدوم الأمير الظالم في وقته حين كنا في بلاد الصحراء، وبخراب قرية قبل وقوعه وبقدوم خواص بعض أصحابه، فكان كما قال، وهذا عند أهل الطريق من كرامة منزل الإخلاص. و أما إجابة دعائه، فهي كالسيف الصارم وهي أيضا من منزل الإخلاص. وأما وقايته من الأعداء مع كثرتهم ولم يمكنهم الله منه، وكل هذا من كرامة هذا المنزل. وأما تيسير الأرزاق والبركات فيها وفيضانها دائما، فهذا مشاهد عند الخاص والعام حتى عند أهل الانتقاد من غير تعب ولا تجارة ولا حرث، وهي من كرامات منزل أهل التقوى، وكلما ذكرت من أمور الكشف، فهي أول أمره، وأما اليوم فضرب عنها و سد بابها لكماله رضي الله عنه ونفعنا به. آمين. و من مناقبه أيضا أن كل من خدمه أو أطعمه أو أحسن إليه بشيء ولو مثقال حبة من خردل يدخل الجنة بغير حساب ولا عقاب بضمانة سيد الوجود وعلم الشهود صلى الله عليه وسلم". " ﴿الجامع لما افترق من درر العلوم الفائضة من بحار القطب المكتوم﴾.

قال العارف بربه سيدي الحاج علي حرازم برادة الفاسي رضي الله عنه : "ولنذكر الآن ما خصه الله به من الكرامات: " وهو أن جمع له الله بين القطبانية والفردانية، ومنها الشفاعة في أهل عصره من ولادته إلى مماته، ومنها أن یصل على یدیه إلى كمال المعرفة العيانية الشهودیة عشر مائة ألف مضروبة في نفسها، وهي عشرمائة ألف ألف ألف ألف أربع مراتب، وقریب من ذلك النساء، وكذلك الجن، كل هذا العدد یصل إلى كمال المعرفة والمحبة والمشاهدة واليقين والتوحيد والآداب والعلم والإستقامة، ومنها دور الأنوار وقد علمه له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مشافهة، ولم یكن له وجود في الكون إلا ما أبرزه الله لسيدنا رضي الله عنه على ید رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وهوكالإسم الأعظم في الإستجابة، ومنها أنه علمه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الأسماء الإدریسية. ومنها أنه أكرمه الله وأعطاه وجعله في قطبانية شيخ التربية والنظرة، یوصل المرید إلى كمال المعرفة والمشاهدة واليقين والتوحيد والآداب والعلم والإستقامة من أول سلوكه إلى غایته في مقدار طرفة العين بأن یتصرف في قلوبهم بسره رضي الله عنه لا بالعادة، بل یوصله إلى الله في طرفة عين واحدة، ویخرجه بها عن عوائق مقام الإسلام، ومن عوائق مقام الإیمان، ومن عوائق مقام الإحسان، ویحليه في تلك النظرة بحلى المقامات الثلاث، ویوصله بها سكرا وصحوا وبقاء وفناء، بحيث لا ینظر في أحد بقلبه ولوكان في غایة البعد، ولوكان كافرا أوسلطانا جائرا إلا انقلب عارفا كاملا وشيخا موقنا في قدر طرفة البصر. وهذا كله في غير أن یحتاج إلى صحبة أوتربية، بل ینظر إليه بقلبه أینما كان في سائر أقطار الأرض وإن كان لم یره ولا لقيه وهو في مكانه یقلبه عارفا كاملا في الحين، وأن یبقى مدده في مریده إلى قيام الساعة، وأن تكون طرقه رضي الله عنه في بني ﺁدم أزید من عشرة آلاف طریق، كل طریق لتلميذ من تلامذته، وكل طریق تتفرع على طرق كثيرة من المعرفة، ثم تتفرع كل طریق أیضا على طرق إلى قيام الساعة، وأن تكون طرقه في الجن أزید من عشرین ألف طریق، كل طریق تتفرع لفروع كثيرة إلى قيام الساعة، لا تنقطع أبدا حتى یرث الله الأرض ومن عليها وهوخير الوارثين. وخاصية الورد باقية إلى قيام الساعة ما دام یتلى ویذكر، ورضي الله عن هذا الإمام وحشرنا في زمرة هذا الهمام، بجاه نبينا عليه الصلاة والسلام.  ومنها الإسم الأعظم الكبير الذي هوخاص برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وغير هذا مما لا نطيل بذكره، ومن أراده فليطالعه في "جواهر المعاني".﴿رسالة الفضل والإمتنان إلى كافة الأحباب والإخوان﴾

Thus Sidna Shaykh emerged as a sudden Sufi authority and established Sufi leader, dedicating his life for spiritual education, training, guidance, and promotion of the endeavourers to the divine proximity. He possessed high spiritual energy, determination, perseverance of Allah's sacred rights, and firmness of resolution. He laboured in his beginnings on perfection of repentance with its conditions, and on adherence to Shari'a bounds. He minded his own business, and held fast to the Quran and Sunna and the footsteps of the righteous ancestors. He totally turned himself to his Lord, so Allah sufficed him. He reinforced his foundations first by preoccupying himself with the study of the Quran and Sunna, deep thorough comprehension of the fine and subtle sciences and abstruse issues, and strict observance of the principles the Shari'a: "If you hear someone quoting me, place the statement on the scale of the noble Shari'a. If it balances, take it; if it doesn’t, leave it, for within the noble Quran and Hadith, you will find the Tijaniya. Outside the circle of Quran and Hadith, there is no such thing."

When the death of Sidna Shaykh drew near, few months after the wedding of his children: Sidi Mohammed al-Kabir (d. 1238/1823) and Sidi Mohammed al-Habib (d. 1269/1854), his body temperature rose and developed a fever. The night before his death, Sidna Shaykh asked five companions to spend the night with him. Afterwards he has gone back when aware that he needs servants earlier that night and that he cannot mix men together with women. Days before his death Sidna Shaykh made a will in favor of women. “The one who owns a female slave without letting her getting married or selling her, he must give up my company and have nothing to do with me,” he declared. It is well-know that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said in the farewell address, “Verily you owe your women their rights, and they owe you yours... Fear Allah in respect to women, and concern yourselves with their welfare.” It is obvious that Sidna Shaykh’s will stems from his Prophetic Inheritance.

Sidna Shaykh passed away on Thursday, the 17th of Shawal, 1230/1815. When he performed the Subh prayer, he laid down on his right side while he asked for a glass of water, then he returned to his bed. At that time his blessed soul went up to its holy position. Princes, judges, notables and large crowds attended his funeral. The Mufti of Fez Sidi Abu Abdullah Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Dukkali led the mortuary prayer at the Qarawiyyine mosque. People were rushing and trying hard to have that great honor of holding the blessed coffin of Sidna Shaykh and it was a scene full of deep emotions where tears and sorrows constituted the landmark of this great event. Sidna Shaykh was buried in the well-known place in his blessed Zawiya. One year later, the children of Sidna Shaykh, following the Will of Allah, dug up his blessed corpse in order to transfer it to Ain Madhi, but the disciples in Fez took him and finally buried him in his noble tomb. On this occasion Sidi Mohammed al-Ghali led the mortuary prayer. Of the strange things that happened, one relates to what Sidna Shaykh himself told some of his companions. He informed them that it would be indispensable that Sidi Mohammed al-Ghali be present and lead the mortuary prayers before his corpse when he died. However, when Sidna Shaykh died, Sidi Mohammed al-Ghali was on a trip. Thus he was not present by the time Sidna Shaykh died and was therefore unable to attend the mortuary prayer and the burial. On the second time, he was there, and therefore prayed for Sidna Shaykh. Thus, the prediction made by Sidna Shaykh came true. 

Sidna Shaykh lived for eighty years. He lived 30 years in the Katmiya-Khatmiya nature which he was aware of while Adam was between the water and the clay. For 30 years he was the main active propagator of the Ahmediya Mohammediya doctrine. From his Fez headquarters, he organized the order, which spread in the farthest east and the western regions. During the same period, some of his appointed muqaddams had established new Tijani centres in the whole world and developed ramifications of their own. Muqaddams continues to expand Islam and spread the word and now there are 300 millions of Tijani followers around the world. African Tijanis come in droves to Fez to pray at the Grand Zawiya often on their way to Mecca. Thus, because of Sidna Shaykh, Fez became essentially a pilgrim city. After all, the writings of Ibn Arabi make sense. The Futuhat al-Makkiya has played an important role in linking the nature of the Mohammedian Seal with the essence of Fez and the Maghreb. The completeness of Ibn Arabi's insight gives also brilliance to the hadith, "A group of my community will remain on truth in the Maghreb until Allah commands."

Visit this sacred tomb and pray at its mihrab,
Thereat the deeds of doers, the more so, acceptable
And remember, therein, the Lord, read His Book,
And abide with what has been ordained by Him
And recite prayers upon the Prophet, and
Upon his noble Family and his Companions
And make the intermediary the one, whose nobility
Makes this tomb, excels over the rest,
The Tijani, Ahmed the pole of guidance
The ocean of generosity and kindness to his visitors,
By his rank and prestige ask the Lord, you will be granted
For you are at the gate of His grace and favour,
And make the everlasting retreat
Devotedly worshipping Allah in its mihrab

   

 
واصحب أخا الحزم ذا جد إلـى فــــــــــــاس
وحـي حيـاً بهــــم قــد كـــــان إينـاســــــــي
حـيـــــــــران تلفـــظـه نــاس إلــــى نـــــاس
بـاق علـــى العهـــد ذو وجـد بكــــــــم راس
وليـس يجـــنـح فـي حـــب لـوســـــــــواس
 تبـكـــــــــــي وتـزفـر بـالأشـواق أنفـاســي
دهـــــــري بـأنــواع تـهـيـام وأجــنــــــــاس
مـا بعضـه دك مــــنــه الشـامـخ الـــــــراس
مـن العطــــايـا ولـــــم يـعـــــرف بمقـيــاس
معـنـــــاه أعـظـــــــــم أن يجـلـى بقـرطــاس
مـدده ســــره الـــــسـاري إلـــــــى الـنــــاس
مكنـونـه كـنــــــزه المـخــــفـى بـحــــــراس
فـيـض الإلــه بــــــــــلا لـبــس ولا بـــــــاس
 بسابـغ الفضـل مــن عرفــــــــانـه كـــــاس
عقلي وروحي وجلاسي وأحـداســــــــــــي
ومقلــــــــتـي ولســـــــانـي بـيـن جـلاســـي
فجىء لأحــــــمــــــــد ساقـي السـر بالكـاس
تـظـفـر بـأعـطــــــار ذاك الـــــــورد والآس
إن لم تكن في بساط القــــــــــــرب ذا يــاس
واسرع إلى اللــــــه مشـــاءً علـى الــــراس
وقـــم ولا تـــك لـلإسـعــــــــــــاد بـالـنــــاس
أن تستضــــيء مـن المعــــــنـى بنـــبـراس
يــد النــــبـوة هــل يبـنـى بــــــــلا ســــــاس
أمــنُ مــــــــن أهــــوال نـيـران وأرمــــاس
وأعظم الرسل ذي الإحســـــــــــان والـباس
مـــع الحـسـيــــــــن وزهـــراء وعــــبـــاس
وارحم به قلبــــــي المضنـــــى به القاســي
تنــــفـي عـــلـي شقــــاوتـي وافــــــــلاسـي
الا بــه أرتـجــي مــــــــــــحــواً لأرجـاســـي
 تسليم ذاتك كفء القطـــــــــــب في النـاس
صـــاح اركب العزم لا تخــلد الـى الـيــاس
واشــرح مــتـون صـبـابــتي لـــجيــرتـهـا
واقر السلام عـــــلى تـلـك المـــــعاهـد مـن
وقـل لـهـم ذلــك المضــــــــــنـى وحقــــكـم
لا يبــــصـر الحـــــســن إلا فــي وجوهـكـم
وعـج إلـى حيــــث مـن عيــــنــي لفرقـتـه
ومـــن أنـــا فـيـــه هــــيـــــمـان يقلـبـــنـي
ومـن فـؤادي بــــه مضــــــــنـى يحملــنـي
ذاك الــــذي نـــال مــا لـــم يـحـوه بــشـــر
غـوث البرايـا أبـو العبــــــاس أحمـد مــن
روح الوجــود وقطـب الـكــــــون مـركـزه
رمـز الوجــــود وسـر الـحــــــق طلـسـمـه
حقـــــيقة الكـون مغنــــــى السـر مجـمعـه
أعنـي التجـــانـي تــاج العارفيـــــن ومــن
ومــــن مـحـبـتـه ديــــــنــــــــي وخـلـــتــه
ومسمــــعـي وفـؤادي وانبســــــاط يـــدي
يــا سامعـي إن تكــــــن للـســــر ذا ظــمـا
رد ورده العـذب واستنــشـق روائـحــــــه
واســـتعمل الجــد فـي تحصيـــــل واجبـه
واهــرع إلـيـه إذا مــــــا كـنـــــت ذا ظـمــا
وانـــــهـض فـقـد لاح للإسـعــــــاد طالـعـه
واخلـع ظــلامـــا علـى قلـــــب منعــت بـه
ومـا ظنـونـك بـالـورد الـــذي نظـــــــمـت
ومــــــا تــظــن بـمـنــهــــــاج لـسـالــــكــه
يـــــا رب أدعـــــــوك بالاسما وأعـظـمـهـا
وحـــــمــزة وعــلــي وابــــنــه حــســــــن
اجعـل قــــلادة جـيـــــــــدي فــي أصـابـعـه
وابعث له عند ســمـــــع النظـم مرحـــمـة
واجـعـل نـــظامــــي وإن لانـت مفـاصـلـه
وعـم مثـواه تسلـــيـــــــمـا فلـيـس ســوى