Skiredj Library of Tijani Studies
(by Professor Mohammed Erradi Guennūn Al-Idrissi Al-Hassani)
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Praise be to God, and may peace and blessings be upon our master Mohammed, the Opener, the Seal, the Victorious, the Guide, as well as upon his family and companions.
The three principal works of the Tijani path, written during the lifetime of our master Cheikh (may God be pleased with him), are Jawahir al-Ma'ani ("The Pearls of Meanings"), Al-Jami' ("The Compendium"), and Rawd al-Muhib al-Fani ("The Garden of the Dissolved Lover"). Most of these texts were written in the desert, between Abi Samghoun, Chellala, and Aïn Madhi, with only a few writings completed in Fes.
The Tijani path first shone in 1196 AH in Abi Samghoun when our master Cheikh was 46 years old. Thus, it becomes apparent that Cheikh led his path for 34 years, 17 of which were spent in the desert and the other 17 in Fes, then the scientific and administrative capital of Morocco.
The principal works of the path were completed in the first half of this period, prior to his establishment in Fes in 1213 AH. Only a few scattered pieces were written in Fes; the majority of the path’s heritage was produced during the desert period. Nonetheless, not everything was recorded, as noted by the noble Sidi Al-Haj Ali Harazim in Jawahir al-Ma'ani, where he mentions that what he left unrecorded represents only a small part of what he could have included.
However, there is a marked difference between the desert period and the time spent in Fes. The Fes period was a time of great enlightenment for our master, as he attained the rank of the supreme pole and the hidden seal. Unfortunately, no new works were written during this golden era, as those most capable of recording, such as Sidi Al-Haj Ali Harazim Barada (who passed in 1218 AH) and the renowned Sidi Mohammed Ben al-Mashri al-Sibai (who passed in 1224 AH), had already left this world.
On this subject, the scholar Sidi Ahmed Skiredj writes: “Had Sidi Al-Haj Ali Harazim’s life been extended by even ten more years, and had he remained alongside our master in Fes, he would have recorded teachings and insights that would surpass human comprehension.” Skiredj adds that certain scholars, either due to modesty or lack of awareness, failed to document the words and guidance given by our master during this period.
During these years in Fes, our master was at the peak of his scholarly activity. As Sidi Mohammed Al-Hajouji Al-Hassani recounts in It-haf Ahl al-Marateb al-‘Irfaniya, a disciple remarked: "Our master delivered so much knowledge that I felt overwhelmed by its depth."
The only text recorded during this final period was Al-Ifada al-Ahmadiya, by the noble Sidi Al-Tayeb al-Sufyani. While it may not reach the level of the three foundational texts, it holds great importance, as it captures key moments of this latter era, albeit through brief statements and short passages.
One final point: Sidi Mohammed Al-Hajouji had composed a manuscript compiling the fatwas and teachings of the Cheikh in Fes. Regrettably, this document disappeared after being displayed at the first Tijani path conference in Fes in 1983.