Skiredj Library of Tijani Studies
(Prof. Mohamed Erradi Genoune)
In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.
May Allah send His prayers and peace upon our master Sayyidina Muhammad, upon his family, and upon his companions.
Every year, the 17th of Shawwal returns as a deeply cherished date for the people of the Tijani path. It is the day on which Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī, may Allah be pleased with him, left this world. Remembering this day is not merely an act of historical recollection. It is a renewal of love, gratitude, loyalty, and reflection on the legacy of one of the greatest saints and scholars of Islam.
This commemoration honors a majestic spiritual pole whose life united people across color, language, culture, and ethnicity. Around the recitation of the Wazifa, he brought together white, black, and all other peoples in one assembly, as though they were the heart of a single man: joined in love, peace, affection, fraternity, and spiritual affinity.
A Shaykh Who United Hearts
One of the most remarkable signs of Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī’s radiance is his power to gather hearts. His path crossed borders and overcame differences. Men and women from distant regions, different languages, and diverse social backgrounds found themselves united through his teaching in the remembrance of Allah and love of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
This was not the unity of slogans. It was the unity of souls drawn together by sincerity, adab, and devotion. That is why his presence continues to be felt across the world today.
A Living Example of Knowledge, Action, and Virtue
Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī was not only a spiritual guide. He was a living embodiment of knowledge, righteous action, and noble character. He was also a perfect example of conformity to the Sunnah of his grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
One of the clearest and most powerful descriptions of him came from the scholar Sidi Mohamed Hafiane Charqi, one of his close companions. When asked to describe the Shaykh, he replied:
“He was a man who commanded what Allah and His Messenger commanded, and who forbade what Allah and His Messenger forbade.”
The one who had asked the question responded:
“That is more than enough.”
And indeed, it is more than enough. This single testimony captures the essence of true greatness in Islam.
A Saint Whose Rank Has Been Recognized for Centuries
This commemoration is the commemoration of a majestic pole whose knowledge and piety have been acknowledged for more than two centuries and continue to be acknowledged today.
His followers are found not only in Morocco, but across the five continents. His disciples are present in immense numbers throughout Africa, the Arab world, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and many other regions. The Tijani path has spread so widely that it now reaches tens of thousands, and often millions, in many lands.
His followers number more than 200 million around the world. They are known for attachment to religion, noble conduct, honesty, and reverence for the teachings of Islam.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, spoke the truth when he said:
“My community will never agree upon misguidance.”
The Testimony of Sidi Ibrahim Riyahi
Among the greatest testimonies about Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī is that of the renowned Tunisian scholar Sidi Ibrahim Riyahi, may Allah be pleased with him.
At the beginning of his book Mibrad al-Sawarim wa al-Asinna, after the introduction, he wrote:
“Know that the aforementioned Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas al-Tijani, may Allah be pleased with him, is among the men whose mention has crossed all horizons, and whose mastery of the outward and inward sciences has been affirmed by countless groups of companions. His speech in the field of gnosis and in other domains is among the clearest proofs of this.”
He then added:
“I met him several times in his zawiya in Fez, and also in his house, and I prayed behind him the ‘Asr prayer.”
Then came one of the most striking parts of his testimony:
“I have never seen anyone who mastered prayer better than him, nor anyone who prolonged his prostration as he did. And I was delighted to finally see the prayer of the elders, the prayer of our righteous predecessors.”
This is the witness of a major scholar, a leading authority, and a man of discernment.
The Testimony of Sidi Badr al-Din Hmoumi
Another powerful testimony comes from the great Qarawiyyin scholar Sidi Badr al-Din Hmoumi of Fez, who loved and venerated Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī and met him often.
When Sidi Badr al-Din traveled to Egypt for pilgrimage, he carried with him his own commentary on al-Murshid al-Mu‘in in jurisprudence. There, he showed his work to one of the Egyptian scholars. While reading it, the scholar strongly objected to one explanation and asked:
“No one has ever given such an explanation. Who said this?”
Sidi Badr al-Din quickly replied:
“These are the words of a man whose speech, in our city of Fez, is regarded in jurisprudence like the Mudawwana itself. His word is a reference. It is an authoritative proof, and we do not seek to demonstrate it. His word is correct, and that is beyond dispute.”
Such a statement shows the extraordinary scholarly authority Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī held among the great scholars of his time.
The Testimony of Sidi Mohamed ben Soulayman al-Manna‘i al-Tounsi
The great Tunisian scholar Sidi Mohamed ben Soulayman al-Manna‘i also spoke of Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī in words of astonishing force.
He said:
“He is an ocean.”
Then he explained:
“He is an ocean in the outward sciences of religion. I have never seen anyone like him in that field. No one resembles him in this. He had memorized among the books of jurisprudence the Mukhtasar of Ibn al-Hajib, the Mukhtasar of Khalil, and the Tahdhib of al-Baradi.”
He also reported that the Shaykh had such extraordinary memory and mastery that he learned everything he heard once, simply by hearing it once.
Then he said:
“He is a great scholar. How could he be criticized by someone who does not even know the obligations of ablution?”
And regarding hadith, he said:
“As for the books of hadith, he had memorized Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Muwatta’. In the field of hadith, he is like Imam al-Ghazali in our age.”
This is not the speech of an ordinary admirer. It is the witness of a major scholar who recognized a rare and exceptional mastery.
The Testimony of Sidi Mohamed Akensous
The jurist and scholar Sidi Mohamed Akensous, may Allah be pleased with him, also spoke of the unique rank of Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī.
In the introduction to his book al-Jawab al-Muskit, he recalled how his teachers used to mention the Shaykh whenever they encountered a difficult scholarly statement or a subtle point in gnosis. Whenever they did not understand something from a scholar or a gnostic, they would say:
“Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī said such-and-such.”
Akensous said that his teachers spoke so highly of him every time his name was mentioned that he eventually asked:
“Who is this man who is praised so much whenever his name is mentioned?”
He was told:
“He is a great saint who has mastered all the sciences perfectly. Whenever he is asked a question, he responds with precision and pure truth, without hesitation and without needing to reopen a book. We immediately begin writing down what he dictates, and it is as though he were reading every answer directly from an authentic reference.”
This testimony reveals not only his sainthood, but also his immediate command of the religious sciences.
His Presence Elevated Those Around Him
The greatness of Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī was such that even being seen in his company became a mark of honor.
One day, the famous Qarawiyyin scholar Sidi Hamdoune ibn al-Hajj al-Sulami prayed behind an ordinary man, the saint Sidi Mukhtar Tilimsani. When this was pointed out to him, he replied:
“I saw him sitting beside Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī. Anyone who sits beside him is worthy, for me, that I pray behind him, whoever he may be.”
This shows the depth of confidence and reverence that the learned had for the Shaykh and for those close to him.
Why the 17th of Shawwal Still Matters
The commemoration of 17 Shawwal is not simply about the passing of a saint. It is about remembering a man whose life became a proof of what sacred knowledge, sincere worship, deep Sunnah, noble character, and spiritual authority can look like when gathered in one person.
It is a reminder that true greatness in Islam is not built on noise, claim, or appearance. It is built on obedience to Allah, fidelity to the Messenger, service to creation, and the power to unite hearts around truth.
That is why the remembrance of Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī remains alive across the world. His legacy continues to shape millions. His path continues to nourish souls. His teachings continue to call people to Allah through purity, discipline, love, and remembrance.
Conclusion
On the 17th of Shawwal, the people of the Tijani path remember Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī, may Allah be pleased with him, with love, gratitude, and reverence. They remember a hidden pole, a seal of sainthood, a scholar of immense mastery, a guide of hearts, and a servant of Allah whose influence continues across continents and generations.
May Allah be pleased with his pure soul.May countless greetings be upon his noble station and blessed mausoleum.And may Allah keep hearts attached to truth, remembrance, and sincere love.
Wa al-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
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