Sidi Ahmed Benunah, may ALLAH be pleased with him
Sidi Ahmed Benunah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was noble and pious, perfectly endowed with great spiritual power and a truly worthy character. He used to seek out holy men, whatever their station and stay in their company in order to take advantage of their blessings.
He received many special evocations and litanies from them. When he met Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret), he loved him profoundly and sought his love and compassion. Thus, he rarely left his side. He frequently renewed his request to receive the transmission of the noble wird, but each time Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) replied: “On the condition that you forsake all the litanies that you have received from other masters.” But his nafs would not yield.
It is said that on one blessed night, he had accomplished all his awrad (i.e. litanies) and then he requested ALLAH to show him Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani’s station (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). While he was sleeping, he dreamt of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) who was increasing in size until he was so big that he filled the horizon.
Sidi Ahmed Benunah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was so astounded that he clutched Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani’s hand (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) and held it until he woke up. Then he jumped out of bed and went to the blessed zawiya to ask for Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). He was shown where to find Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) and then Sidi Ahmed Benunah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) went home to prepare food after which he came back to meet Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret).
Meanwhile, Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) was holding a discussion with his companions, and at one point he said to them: “Could one of you go and find one of our friends who is on the way – halfway here, because he does not know where we are.” One of the companions rose and went to bring Sidi Ahmed Benunah (may ALLAH be pleased with him). Once Sidi Ahmed Benunah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) had sat down and rested, he wanted to tell Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) his vision in front of the blessed gathering, but before he had the opportunity, Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) looked at him and told his story to all the companions, without revealing the identity of the person.
He said: « Once, there was a man who kept company with several masters and who had received numerous litanies from them. Later, he wanted to take the Tariqa from a Cheikh that he had met but the Sheikh would only grant this on the condition that he renounce all other litanies. But the man refused. Then, this man requested ALLAH to show him the station of this Sheikh and he saw that he was wider than the horizon. When he woke up, he went to meet this Sheikh to receive his wird (litanies) and to accept his conditions. He found the Sheikh sitting with his companions, and received his authorization even before he was able to recount his vision. He threatened him not to share this vision with anyone on pain of dying.”
Then, Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) turned to Sidi Ahmed Benounah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) and authorized him for the recitation of the noble Wird. Sidi Ahmed Benounah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) understood what Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) wanted to tell him and he kept his secret until the death of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). Later, he contracted an illness that would lead to his death and when he realized that he had reached the last moments of his life, he told his story to everyone present and died, may Allah have mercy on him.