Following the noble tradition of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) through Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) – Part1
The good conduct of our well beloved Master Seyyina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) following the noble tradition of the well beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
Allah has permitted our well beloved Master Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) to follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with perfect mastery, then established him in a consolidated abode. He is an indisputable radiant mark with regard to compliancy with the Shari’a and the Prophetic tradition. Indeed, regarding the maintaining of them he has attained the summum.
Our well-beloved Master Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) conformed perfectly to the Shari’a (The Law) and was the most meticulous regarding the emulation of the perfect conduct and moral values of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He has taken him as an exemple, he has walked in his footsteps, he has followed him and drawn close to him and loved him to the point of becoming his inheritor. He has achieved self-realization through the path of inheritance of the Messenger of ALLAH (peace and blessings be upon him) and so in this way he has joined the precursors who belong to the party of ALLAH.
Our well-beloved Master Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) brought together all movement, all immobility, both interiorly and exteriorly, drawing from the very source of light from the prophetic niche. He knew that no light existed on the surface of this Earth, more complete, more perfect, more approved than this, in order to reach the summum of perfection. So he put all his spiritual energy and determination to follow this Prophetic light in order to reach the goal he intended.
No other was more determined or scrupulous than him. Indeed, he was, in his entirety, steadfastness of great resolve and unequaled determination.
He built the Ahmediya Tidjaniya path on the most solid foundation conforming to the orders of the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), taking for sole reference the book of ALLAH, the Glorious Quran, and the noble Tradition (Sunnah) of the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Seyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) said: “As for the Knowledge and the way of access to it, it is by following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): all his words, his deeds, his states, his characteristics, in the observation of Divine rights in secret and in public, accomplishing everything with sincerity for ALLAH, without any alteration whatsoever by things of this world or the Hereafter. All this should be accomplished only in order to exalt ALLAH and magnify Him, on the mat of approbation, of submission relying only on Him (The Glorified, The Exalted) for everything, going back to Him for everything.”
He (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) was a perfect knower, an unparalleled scholar, a teacher of all knowledge both hidden and apparent, as well as the entire noble prophetic tradition. He was extremely perspicacious in the face of all addition or default (to the Sunnah).
Oh how much he preserved religion! Oh how he was possessed by his love!
He (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) received an immeasurable strength in following the prophetic actions to the extent of the abundance of his lights and the intensity of his state; all this, with perfect mastery like the well beloved master of the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon him).
Indeed, he used to comply with the prophetic tradition in whole its perfection, and never turned away from it, whatever the object of its application.
He ensured that the Tradition was the reference in all his actions and states.
He guided others towards behaviour which was in conformity with the ethics of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as well as the practice of his tradition.
Here are several clear examples chosen among so many others:
Despite his elevated rank, he used to stop to greet children and to pay respect to the elderly. He used to sit with the weak and to frequent the poor with humility, following the example of the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Here is an extract from a letter that he wrote to one of his well-beloved representative and close companion, Sheikh al Islam of Tunisia Sidi Ibrahim Riyahi (may ALLAH be pleased with hi^m), in which he advises following the noble tradition (Sunnah) of the well beloved (peace and blessings be upon him): “I advise you to fear ALLAH both interiorly and exteriorly and to follow the Sunna however far, however near, however exceptional in words and deeds.”
He held the commandment of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in high esteem and was fearful of violating it.
In his house, he (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) committed no deed that offended the Sunnah. He has turned his family away from all customs and additions. His position on this subject is clear and there is no need for further explanation.
When he (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) noticed that somebody was violating the propriety defined by Law, he informed him and if the person was already aware of this, he scolded him saying: “Is this the teaching of the Sunnah?”
Indeed, he used to quote the words of ALLAH (The Glorified, The Exalted): “So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet’s order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” (Quran S24, V63)
In this way, he took the Sunnah as judge both for himself and his family, his disciples and his companions.
He (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) used to say: “All benefit comes from following the tradition (Sunnah), all wrong comes from opposing it.”
He (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) used to say: “Among the greatest signs of love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are sacrifice for him and practice of his Sunnah, following his path and guidance, respecting the prescriptions that he has given us contained in the Shari’a.”
He also (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) used to say: “Following this noble Prophet gives life to the hearts and light for clairvoyance, a healing for the chest, a perfume for the souls, a delight for the spirits, relief from sadness and a guide for those who wander.”
He encouraged people to emulate the deeds of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), with no imperative but saying: “It is indispensable that he who receives any of the prophetic conduct or judgment should heed and comply with them if only once.”
We think that this advice from our well beloved master Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) are sufficient for those endued with understanding.
And what beautiful truth is expressed in the words of Ghazzali (may ALLAH have mercy upon him) when he said:
Advice is easy to give, but the problem is heeding it, for he who follows his passion, advice is bitter because his heart appreciates forbidden things.
There are numerous texts about following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) written by eminent spiritual masters and scholars, but we have chosen this one for its simplicity and particular clarity.
The well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, or noble words to that effects: “We, the messengers, were ordained to speak to the people according their understanding”.
A sufi master (may ALLAH have mercy upon him) said about the authentic way to follow the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Heedlessness can only take root in you through your own negligence in the way of following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).”
You can only earn honor (elevation) with ALLAH by following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the way to do this is divided into two parts: one hidden and the other apparent.
The apparent includes prayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimage, combat in the way of ALLAH as well as other deeds.
The hidden includes having the conviction of your union with the Truth whether in prayer, in meditation or in reading.
Know that if you perform an act of obedience such as prayer or reading, and you cannot find within them the vision that unites you with the Truth and you are unable to meditate, then know that you have internal diseases such as pride, vanity and many others…
ALLAH The Most High said: “I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right” (Quran S7 V146)
You would be just like a person with the fever in whose mouth sweetness tastes bitter.
An act of disobedience that engenders in you a deep feeling of humility as well as the need of ALLAH, is preferable to an act of obedience that engenders in you a feeling of pride and self-importance.
ALLAH THE MOST HIGH said regarding the story of his friend Ibrahim: “So whoever follows me – then he is of me.” (Quran S14 V36) What should be understood in these words is that he who does not follow him cannot be of him.
Allah the Most High said regarding the story of his prophet Noah (peace be upon him): “O Nuh! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous” (Quran S11, V46)
By following someone, a person becomes as if a part of the one he is following, and even if this person is a stranger, like Salman (may ALLAH be pleased with him) of whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Salman is part of the family (or part of the household)”
It is well known that Salman (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was Persan and yet by following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) certified that he was part of his family, as if to teach that by following we strengthen the bond. We also understand through this that without following, the bond is totally broken.
Know that the sign of ALLAH’s love is that which inspires you to obey and follow the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
ALLAH The Most High said: “Say: “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”” (Quran S3 V31)
The authentic way and straight path is to follow the holder of the Law, and hasten to follow the Tradition (Sunnah)
He is perfection in which we would not find the slightest defect (peace and blessings be upon him).
Indeed, there are many people who have stopped on the path of renunciation. They have only overburdened themselves beyond their abilities.
They have awoken at the end of their lives with weak bodies, exhausted, realizing that in reality they have missed important things such as knowledge and other matters.
Other people have stopped at the appearant side (appearance) of knowledge, they have exagerated in their pursuit of it to such an extent that when they have awoken at the end of their lives realizing that they have neglected to practice it.
Know that the path of the chosen one (peace and blessings be upon him) is both knowledge and practice, treating the body with benevolence.
Know that following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with the appearance of adoration is not sufficient.
Unfortunately, this is the state of many Muslims.
How many people’s prayer will become a misfortune for them, because, rather than bringing them closer to ALLAH (The Glorified, The Exalted), it will change, and, on the contrary it will drive them away from Him.
How many fasters will only reap hunger and thirst from their fasting, likewise for pilgrimage as well as combat.
Know that following the hidden aspect is, in fact, the spirit of Islam, and it is in this way that we reap the rewards and proximity to ALLAH (Praise and Glory to HIM). It is the foundation because it delivers the heart from pride.
However, he who is fascinated and infatuated by his adoration, his preoccupation and goal is not satisfaction of ALLAH but of men. He likes their praise and fears their blame, and in this situation (all) deeds are nullified.
Know that truly following the well beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the performance of obligations in their apparent state and also sincerity of deed solely for the sake of ALLAH in their hidden interiority.
Following in this way transforms the person as if he was an integral part of the person he follows and even if he is a stranger as, for example, Salam al Farissi (may ALLAH be pleased with him).
Furthermore, following in this way strengthens the bond to ALLAH (The Glorified, The Exalted) and brings closer to the well Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him), whereas not following him severs the link between the servant and his Lord and subsequently the link with his Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
The poor servant in need of ALLAH, The Most High, Muhammad el Mansour el Muhieddine Tidjani.
Zawiya Tidjaniya el Kubra of Europe