Millions of Muslims around the world call themselves 'Tijanis' as they have made a committment to follow orthodox Islam, but also to train to reach spiritual elevation by adopting Sheikh Tijani's methods. The number of his followers, around the world are still growing even in the twenty-first century.
Tijani's Early Years
Sheikh Ahmad Al Tijani was a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam's holiest prophet. He was born in Aïn Madhi, Algeria in the mid 1730's to parents, Muhammad and Aisha. By the age of seven he had memorized the entire Holy Quran. Unfortunately by 15 years old he was orphaned, but was able to continue his studies in Islamic juisprudence (fiqh). By his early twenties he had completed his Islamic scholarship. Due to his insatiable thirst for more knowledge he left his hometown for Fez, Morocco in 1758.
Whilst in Fez he studied hadiths (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) in the University of Al-Karaouine. He also sought out prominent sufi masters of the time to increase his spiritual knowledge. Fez was and still is a major hub for sufi development and study. He was fortunate enough to come across many highly thought of sufi leaders. Including, Muhammad al-Sharif of Wazan who gave him permission to instruct others on spiritual matters, though at that time Sheikh Tijani felt he was not ready and so declined the offer. He went on to meet many other great sufi scholars leading him to initiation into the, Qadiriyyah, Nasiriyya and Shadhilite Ghumariya. Later whilst on his travels eastward towards Cairo and Mecca he took on the Khalwatiya Tariqa (sufi path). He was in the habit of going into seclusion to meditate on the meaning of life and the creator Allah.
Tijani Destined for Sainthood
Each time he met highly prominent sheikhs and scholars they recognized him as a soul destined for great spiritual heights. According to Tijani.org the sheikh would occasionally meet leaders of sufi orders in his dreams. In Fez a sheikh called Sidi Muhammad al-Wanjili (d. 1185), prophesized that Sheikh Tijani would one day become the 'Qutub' which is the pole or highest spiritual position. This would take place when he was in the desert. He traveled a lot meeting more sufi teachers and would sometimes return home to Aïn Madhi, to teach.
When on a journey to do the Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca the sheikh was informed again, through an envoy, that he was to be the Qutub by Ahmad b. Abdullah al-Hindi an Indian sufi saint, who was at the time under a vow of silence. Sheikh Tijani was also told that all the secrets that the Indian saint had accumilated would be passed on to him and that he would and should meet the Qutub of that time Muhammad al-Samman whilst in Medina. When he eventually met Sheikh Muhammad al Samman (d.1775) he imparted more secrets and confirmed that Sheikh Tijani would become the al-qutub al-jami’ (the comprehensive Pole).
Vision of The Prophet Muhammad
It was in the early 1780s that Sheikh Ahmad Al Tijani announced that he had seen The Prophet Muhammad in a vision whilst he was still awake. He was told by the holy prophet that he need not follow any of the previous tariqas as he would now be the leader of a new path, that would have come directly from himself (the Prophet Muhammad). The components that make this sufi order distinctive, apart from the daily ritual litanies, is the strict adherence to the shariah as laid down in the Quran and Sunnah (practises of the holy prophet). He was also informed that he would symbolize the seal of the tariqas and that there would be no other new tariqas until the end of time.
Followers of Sheikh Tijani
The new order quickly gained many followers. People continued to take the tariqa even after his death in Fez in 1815 at the age of eighty. His tomb is visited by millions of followers who come from all over the world.
Sources
Tidjaniya.com: Sheikh Ahmed Tijani, The Seal of Mohammadian Sainthood
Tijani.org: Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and the founding of the Tariqa Tijaniyya
Elsie Ofori - Elsie Ofori graduated from London Metropolitan University in 1999. Prior to freelance writing, she taught English in an adult college.
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