Skiredj Library of Tijani Studies
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Among the most discussed litanies in the Tijani path is Salat al-Fatih, the famous prayer upon the Prophet Muhammad. Over time, misunderstandings and accusations have appeared regarding its origin, meaning, and reward. One of the most detailed scholarly responses to these claims comes from the great Moroccan Tijani scholar Sidi Ahmed ibn al-Ayashi Skiredj, in his work Al-Iman al-Sahih.
This article explains the foundations of his defense of Salat al-Fatih and clarifies its theological meaning according to classical Sunni principles and the teachings of the Tijani tradition.
What Is Salat al-Fatih?
Salat al-Fatih is a formula of blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad that reads:
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad,the opener of what was closed,the seal of what came before,the supporter of truth with truth,and the guide to Your straight path,and upon his family according to his immense worth and his tremendous rank.
In the Tijani path, this prayer holds a special place among the litanies of remembrance. However, it remains fundamentally a prayer upon the Prophet, which is an act strongly encouraged in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet.O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace."(Qur'an 33:56)
The Historical Criticism Against Salat al-Fatih
Some critics claimed that followers of the Tijani path believe that Salat al-Fatih is part of the eternal speech of God and that its reward is only granted to those who believe this.
This accusation was strongly rejected by Sidi Ahmed Skiredj, who responded in detail. According to him, these criticisms result from misunderstanding both Sufi terminology and Sunni theology regarding divine speech and inspiration.
Understanding Divine Speech in Sunni Theology
A key element in Skiredj's defense concerns the nature of divine speech.
Sunni theology holds that:
Allah is eternally described as speaking.
The Qur'an is part of the speech of Allah.
But the speech of Allah is not limited to the Qur'an alone.
The Qur'an itself is one manifestation of divine speech, but Allah’s attribute of speech is eternal and unrestricted. Classical theology also affirms that Allah will speak to His servants in the Hereafter, which confirms that divine speech is ongoing.
Therefore, Skiredj argues that recognizing that a statement or inspiration originates from divine speech does not mean it is Qur'an and does not imply prophecy.
Inspiration Is Not Revelation
Another important distinction emphasized by Skiredj is the difference between:
Revelation to prophets, which ended with Prophet Muhammad
Inspiration to saints, which continues
Islamic tradition widely acknowledges that righteous individuals may receive inspiration, spiritual insight, or true dreams.
This concept appears throughout the history of Sufism. Great saints reported experiences of spiritual communication, whether through dreams or inner inspiration. Such experiences do not constitute revelation and do not add to the Qur'an or Islamic law.
Skiredj therefore explains that if Salat al-Fatih is understood as coming through spiritual inspiration, this does not contradict Islamic doctrine.
Examples from the History of Sufism
To illustrate this principle, Skiredj refers to well-known figures in Islamic spirituality.
For example, Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili, a widely respected Sufi master, included in one of his famous supplications a request to Allah for a vision accompanied by conversation. If such spiritual communication were impossible, the saints would not have spoken about it nor sought it.
Reports of righteous individuals receiving guidance in dreams or states of spiritual insight are abundant in classical Islamic literature. These experiences are understood as part of divine generosity toward His servants.
Salat al-Fatih and the Question of Divine Origin
According to Skiredj, some scholars within the Tijani tradition describe Salat al-Fatih as originating from the unseen realm. This means it is understood as a form of divine generosity granted through inspiration, not as a human composition.
However, he emphasizes several key points:
It is not Qur'an.
It is not prophetic revelation.
It does not introduce new religious law.
Instead, it is a formula of blessing upon the Prophet, similar to many other prayers transmitted throughout Islamic history.
Understanding it in this way does not diminish the majesty of God, nor does it contradict any principle of Sunni belief.
Why Some People Receive Greater Benefit
Another misunderstanding addressed by Skiredj concerns the idea that the reward of Salat al-Fatih depends on belief.
He explains that in Sufi practice, many forms of remembrance have different levels of spiritual benefit. These depend on factors such as:
sincerity
understanding
intention
spiritual readiness
Scholars of spirituality have long taught that the deeper secrets of remembrance are only experienced by those who approach them with proper understanding and discipline.
This does not invalidate the remembrance itself. It simply explains why some individuals experience deeper spiritual effects than others.
The Importance of Authorization in Sufi Practice
In many Sufi traditions, certain litanies are transmitted through authorization from a teacher. This is not a restriction of the remembrance itself, but a method of ensuring proper understanding and spiritual preparation.
Skiredj explains that spiritual light flows through transmission and guidance. For this reason, many scholars emphasized learning litanies within a structured spiritual path.
This principle exists across many Islamic disciplines, including Qur'anic recitation and hadith transmission.
The Intention Behind Reciting Salat al-Fatih
Another important concept discussed by Skiredj is the intention behind the prayer.
When reciting Salat al-Fatih, the believer acknowledges their inability to adequately praise the Prophet Muhammad. The prayer therefore becomes a request that Allah Himself bless the Prophet with the perfect blessing that only He can give.
In this sense, the prayer reflects humility and recognition of divine perfection.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Prayer
The deeper meaning of Salat al-Fatih lies in its recognition of the Prophet Muhammad as:
the opener of guidance
the seal of prophethood
the defender of truth
the guide to the straight path
Sending blessings upon him strengthens love for the Prophet and increases spiritual connection to his example.
The Place of Salat al-Fatih in Islamic Devotion
Ultimately, Salat al-Fatih belongs to the broader tradition of sending blessings upon the Prophet, an act that is universally recommended in Islam.
Muslims throughout history have used many formulas for this purpose. Each reflects devotion, gratitude, and love for the Messenger of Allah.
From this perspective, Salat al-Fatih is simply one among many expressions of this devotion.
Conclusion
The defense presented by Sidi Ahmed Skiredj shows that the debate around Salat al-Fatih is largely based on misunderstanding.
According to his explanation:
The prayer does not claim to be Qur'an.
It does not claim prophetic revelation.
It does not introduce new religious law.
Instead, it represents a spiritual formula of blessing upon the Prophet, understood within the framework of Sufi inspiration and classical Sunni theology.
When approached with knowledge and fairness, Salat al-Fatih appears not as a theological problem, but as part of the rich tradition of devotion to the Prophet Muhammad that has existed throughout Islamic history.
May Allah increase us in love for His Messenger and grant us sincerity in sending blessings upon him.
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