#tijani

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim In The Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Allahumma salli `alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammadini ‘l-faatihi limaa ughliq, wa ‘l-khaatimi limaa sabaq, naasiri ‘l-haqqi bi ‘l-haqq, wa ‘l-haadi ilaa Siraatika ‘l-Mustaqeem, wa `alaa aalihi haqqa qadrihi wa miqdaarihi ‘l-`azheem. O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before. He makes the truth victorious by the truth and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendor.

Allahumma inni as-aluka fahmal-nabiyyen wa hifdhal mursaleen wal malaaika al-muqarrabeen. O Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the prophets and the memory of the messengers, and those nearest to You.

This paper aims to expound on Sufism, it’s concepts, history in the Philippines and Muslims who are antagonist of it.

Sufism, also known as the science of Tasawwuf, has many meanings attached to it both by its practitioners and enemies. It is widely known definition came from two root words which are Safa or Purity and Suwf, referring to a wool cloth. In simple terms, Tasawwuf is the science of Ihsan and purification of one’s self for the love of Allah. It involves certain Tariqas, practices and litanies. The counterpart of Tariqas in the catholic faith are the spiritual orders like the Jesuits,Franciscans and Dominicans. Many tariqas now exist in the Philippines with their respective followers scattered around the country. Despite of their peace-loving nature they have been subject of abuse from the Wahhabis.

Contrary to what the enemies of Tasawwuf believe, Sufism is not a sect in Islam. It is one of the Islamic sciences and a treasure of the Muslim Nation. Most of the Sufis are Sunnis while only minority of Shias claim to be affiliated to it. As Sayyiduna Shaykh Muhammad Adil Rabbani, the spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi Aliya path, said: “Sufism is the essence of Islam.” It is also important to understand that the terms used by Sufis did not exist in the time of the Prophet Muhammad alayhis salatu was salam yet its essence already existed since his time. One of these terms is Tariqa which is an Arabic word for path,way or order. The Sufi masters have emphasized the importance of following a Shaykh and a path from their saying “Whoever does not have a Shaykh, his shaykh is shaytan.” Non-Muslims would relate more to Tariqa if we translate it to mean as spiritual order. There have been many tariqas that existed throughout the Islamic history but now there are only 41 major tariqas. The 4 acknowledged by many scholars as the main tariqas are the Naqshbandi,Qadiri,Shadhili and Chisti.

In these different tariqas, certain practices and litanies are done by the mureeds as recommended by their Murshids. These involves voluntary ritual acts of worship, prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad alayhis salatu was salam, remembrance of Allah and litanies of the saints. Along with these remolding one’s character to be in line with the prophetic character is also done. This actions are in reference to the Hadith Qudsi: My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts of worship so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him…” Hadith Qudsi (Sahih al-Bukhari, 81:38:2), And the Ayah: Qul ateeAAoo Allaha waalrrasoola fa-in tawallaw fa-inna Allaha la yuhibbu alkafireena( Say: “Obey God And His Apostle”: But if they turn back, God loveth not those Who reject Faith.) 3:31. Some known practices of Sufis in our country are Mawlid, Gatherings for Isra wal Mi’raj, Reciting surah Yasin on Nisfu Sha’ban, Visiting the graves of the pious ones and Tahlil Arwah. These practices have been preserved until now despite the increasing adherents of Wahhabism who are very antagonistic of it claiming these are non-Islamic practices.

Sufism arrived to the country with the arrival of the Sharif Sab’ah or Lumpang Basih. These were the Sufi missionaries who brought Islam to the Philippines. Since then some concepts of Tasawwuf became mixed with the existing spiritual beliefs of the people in the south. These led to  the development of Indigenous Islam or Ilmuh kamaasan. It is best described by Professor Yusuf Morales as “an indigenized amalgamation of Islam from the preceding schools of thought and local cultural customs. This is actually contextualized and simplified according to how the elders have understood Islam and the process of Islamization of the communities.”  This, in turn, became a treasure of the Moro culture and tradition. Among the Tausugs of Sulu, it became  a heirloom for the succeeding generations.

Accordingly,  Ilmuh kamaasan is so wide and each family or master of it possesses a unique part of it. Nowadays, there’s a decline of its practitioners mainly because of two reasons: The growing numbers of Wahhabis who declare it as Bid’ah or Shirk and the immaturity of the present generation to carry such special knowledge. According to Sayyiduna Shaykh Khaled Abou El Fadl the rise of the Wahhabi ideology was due to the wealth of Saudi Arabia and retreat of the very rich cultural elements in the Islamic tradition like the Turks, Malays and Filipinos from the mainstream picture. This is because the nuance that they brought to the picture and the traditions of spirituality are remarkably rich nuances

There are already many practitioners of Sufism in the country coming from different social status. The Tariqas that are present in the country are the Naqshbandi Aliya, Naqshbandi Chisti, Qadiri, Rifai, Shattari, Rifai Qadiri Shadhili, Tijani and Khalwati. Among them the Naqshbandi Aliya tariqa have the most followers which are in Manila, Cebu,Zamboanga, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The ameer of the Naqshbandi Aliya tariqa in the country is Sidi Khalid Ismael and there are also separate Kadeems for the different areas.  Some of the Sunni scholars from Temboro are Naqshbandi Chistis.  There are also Sufis from the students and alumnis of known universities like the ADMU, ADZU and WMSU.

The Sufis and the science of Tasawwuf was widely accepted by Sunnis in the country. However, with the rise of Wahhabism, there are already many Muslim Filipinos who are against it. This is primarily due to the misconceptions, lies and fabrications of the Wahhabis. They labeled Sufis and Sufism as either Kafir,Mushrik or Bid’ah. This is not surprising since Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab along with the Wahhabi scholars after him committed many atrocities to the Sufis. Some of these were the desecration of the graves of the Saints, abuses to the Sufis and murders of Sufi masters. Even the ISIS killed many Sufi scholars in the places they have invaded. The Wahhabis and Salafis have this audacity to speak of Tasawwuf when they have not even a single knowledge of it.  These arises from the bigotry and zealotry they have engrossed themselves with.

To illustrate a point of what was stated, let us refer to a simple analogy. Common sense would dictate that if you need to consult someone of a sickness you have you would go to a doctor and not an engineer, likewise, if you need to consult someone for constructing a building you would go to an engineer and not a doctor. Additionally, even someone would read all the books of a certain field of study this would not qualify him to speak of it without its proper understanding. Information and knowledge are different things, especially in our present time wherein most are overwhelmed by information yet deprived of true knowledge. Knowledge, Understanding and Practice are also distinct from each other. One may possess one but be deficient of the two.  In the science of Tasawwuf, practice and experience are the core of it. One is not a Sufi if he has not tasted nor experienced the secret of this exalted science. Therefore, non-Sufis should refrain from talking about Tasawwuf, be humble enough to its practitioners, conquer their zealotry as well as their bigotry and prove their claim that they only wished for the well-being of the Muslims.

This should make us realize of the value of Sufism in our country and our present situation today. Sufism,  the essence of Islam,  which is based from the love of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad alayhis salatu was salam is effective for countering and preventing violent extremism. There have been no Sufi who became a terrorist and called for the killing of their brothers in humanity. The Sufi masters have always highlighted ,both in practice and in teaching, that Sufis should be of service to God’s creation. They have also been good exemplars for tolerance and compassion to everyone despite the differences and flaws we all have. It would also be beneficial in the character reformation of our youths today.  This would improve their Adab to everyone, especially to their families which is the foundation of our community. This would then lead to the improvement of our society.

WAllahu Wa Rasuluhu A’lam Allah(awj) and His Messenger alayhis salatu was salam knows best!

The writer is but a dust in the feet of the Prophet Muhammad alayhis salatu was salam, The Prophet’s Ahlul Bayt, The Prophet’s Companions,The Salafus Salih,The Friends of Allah, the Righteous Scholars of Islam and Shaykh Muhammad Adil Rabbani

WAllahu Wa Rasuluhu A’lam Allah(awj) and His Messenger alayhis salatu was salam knows best!

`Alaa ashrafi ‘l-`alameena Sayyidina Muhammadin salawaat.

`Alaa afdali ‘l-`alameena Sayyidina Muhammadin salawaat.

`Alaa akmali’ l-`alameena Sayyidina Muhammadin salawaat.

Salawaatullaahi ta`alaa wa malaa’ikatihi wa anbiyaaihi wa rusoolihi wa jami`ee khalqihi `alaa Muhammad wa `alaa aali Muhammad `alayhi wa `alayhimu ‘s-salaam wa rahmatullaahi ta`alaa wa barakatuh.

Wa radi-Allahu tabaraka wa ta`alaa `an-saadaatinaa as-haabi rasoolillaahi ajma`een. Wa `ani ‘t-taabi`eena bihim bi-ihsaanin, wa `ani ‘l-a’immati ’l-mujtahedeen al-maadeen, wa `ani ‘l-`ulamaai ’l-muttaqeen, wa `ani ‘l-awliyaai ‘s-saaliheen, wa `an mashayikhinaa fi ‘t-tareeqatin naqshibandiyyati ‘l-`aliyyah, qaddas Allaahu ta`ala arwaahahumu ’z-zakiyya, wa nawwarr Allaahu ta`alaa adrihatamu ’l-mubaaraka, wa `adallaahu ta`alaa `alaynaa min barakaatihim wa fuyoodatihim daa’iman wa ‘l-hamdulillaahi rabbi ‘l-`alameen. Upon the Noblest of all Creation, our Master Muhammad, blessings.

Upon the most Preferred of all Creation, our Master Muhammad, blessings.

Upon the most Perfect of all Creation, our Master Muhammad, blessings.

Blessings of God (Exalted is He!), of His angels, of His prophets, of His Emissaries, and of all creation be upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad; may the peace and mercy of God (Exalted is He!) and His blessings be upon him and upon them. May God, the Blessed and Most High, be pleased with every one of our Masters, the Companions of the Emissary of God, and with those who followed them in excellence, and with the early masters of juristic reasoning, and with the pious scholars, and the righteous saints and with our Shaykhs in the exalted Naqshbandi Order. May God (Exalted is He!) sanctify their pure souls, and illuminate their blessed graves. May God (Exalted is He!) return to us of their blessings and overflowing bounty, always. Praise belongs to God, the Lord of the worlds, al-Fatihah.

Extrait de Kashful albass: Baye Niasse

Quant à son utilité, c’est la purification du coeur vers la connaissance de Dieu et l’on peut dire que sa fin en soi est de forger l’âme et le coeur afin d’obtenir de saines vertus et de pouvoir frayer avec les créatures. Saches que cette connaissance n’est pas verbale mais qu’elle se goûte et s’expérimente.

Elle ne s’acquiert pas par les livres mais plutôt par ceux là qui l’ont expérimentée. Elle ne s’obtient pas par ouï-dire mais plutôt auprès des hommes de Dieu et de ceux qui ont accédé à la perfection. Je jure devant Dieu que nul n’obtient le salut plus que celui qui marche avec ceux qui l’ont obtenu."

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Members of Tijānī on a procession through the principal streets of Asante Mampong in celebration of Mawlid; the birthday of the prophet. 

Our Master [Shaykh Aḥmad al-Tijānī] (may Allah be pleased with him) had been, in his beginning stages, adhering to the recitation of the following supplication every Friday night before sleeping. It is:

“O, Allah! To You belongs all praise according to the grandeur of Your Immense Greatness, the limit of Your knowledge and the apex of Your Satisfaction. O, Allah! To You belongs all praise, as corresponds to Your Noble Countenance and Mighty Majesty. O, Allah! To You belongs all praise for You blessings and Incomparable Gifts. O, Allah! To You belongs all praise for Your perpetual generosity and the beauty of Your worship. I ask You by the Immense Qur’an and by the light of Your Noble Countenance, by which You rent asunder Your Heaven and Your earth. I ask You by Your Name, with which You cause the rain and mercy to descend upon whomever You will among Your slaves. O, Allah! O, Allah! O, Allah! Indeed, You have power over all things. O, Allah! I ask You to provide me with the vision of the face of Your Prophet, Muḥammad (may Allah bless him and give him peace), in the state in which he existed when he was in the abode of this world. Indeed, You have power over all things. O, Most Merciful of the merciful. O, Lord of the worlds.”

The International Influence of the Faydah Tijani!! 

By: Abdou Coundoul

The Fayda was founded by Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse in 1929 – 1930, which was a period of turmoil and world crisis, it was a Fayda that was much awaited by the whole world, it is something that Baye Niasse brought for every human on earth so that everyone can have an opening to Divine Knowledge because people today need Divine Knowledge more than anything, that is what Baye knew and that is why he shared it with everyone, he put people on the right path, give them the Tarbiyya and finally help us attain our utmost goal which is get to know Allah.

 Since he is sent by Allah and that Allah told Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the Quran “Wama arsalnaka illa kaffatan lilnnasi basheeran wanatheeran walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona” Ch 34 Ayat 28, "And We have not sent you except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all Mankind, but most of mankind know not." Baye knew instantly that the message of Allah does not limit itself to only Senegal, which is when he decided to start his journey around the world, to a multitude of people, cultures and beliefs, to have a conversation with them in their own language and tell them what exactly is the Fayda and what it has brought.

 People immediately understood the message and accepted it in masses. That can be considered as a big impact on the international community because we can see that whoever accepted Baye has never taken a step back which shows us that what he brought has a positive effect on the people. After he founded Medina Baye in 1930 and after his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1937, the one that would be called Sheikh Al Islam was quickly known in the whole of Senegal and around the world, not only by the diversity of the knowledge he had but also by his implication in everything that involved humans on earth. Baye has travelled all over the world during his lifetime, England, Belgium, Indonesia, China, Pakistan, Latin Americas, Middle Eastern countries (Yemen, Saudi Arabia etc.) to name just a few places  where Baye Niasse has disciples who adhered to the Fayda.

 During his travels, he of course also met with world leaders and influential people of different communities like Gamal Abdel Nasser, Kwame Nkrumah; he even went to China when Senegal had no diplomatic relations with them.  More than forty million (40,000,000) have converted to Islam to date because of him, in Ghana Baye Niasse converted in one day forty thousand (40,000) people who were idol worshipers. We should all try our best to make this Fayda more know through the media, through good communication, through social networks, to tell the people that this Fayda is not just a question of religion but something that is here for everyone, to give the people what they are really looking for; freedom, independence, to feel liberated from the veils that are hiding the reality of Allah.

 It is a Fayda that is beneficial to every human, that is why the people who understood it at the early stage have given in to the Fayda and have since then been living in a state of internal peace, have a very well balanced life in all its sense (spiritually, social, personal), peace of mind, pure and light filled hearts, a healthy spirit and healthy body, all this is thanks to the Fayda Tijanya, which Mawlana Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse brought. As a disciple of Mawlana Sheikh Ibrahim, what do we have to contribute? The only thing we can do today is to see ways that can make the message be known to the most people possible. 

-Sidi Abdou Coundoul

amir sulaiman - a declaration of love

“you are the sun at noon

you are the kahf and the nun

you are the baa and the seen 

and seen and unseen

you are a shoreless sea

you are a nightless day

you are the meaning of being along with the angels we pray 

O Mon Fils récite abondamment la Salatul Fatihi, elle ouvre les Portes du Bien tout entier et purifie les Cœurs, dissipe les soucis , son invocation est la subsistance des Anges car ses Lettres et sons proviennent du Tout Miséricordieux.

Elle est un Remède contre les Vicissitudes de cette époque, des Afflictions, elle est comme une Pluie torrentielle qui irrigue les Cœurs assoiffés.

Comme un Souffle qui fait revivre une contrée desséchée , qui abreuve par son secret tous les Horizons,