Sidi Muhammad Kensussi, may ALLAH be pleased with him
Abu Abdallah Sidi Muhammad Ibn Ahmed Kensussi Qurachy El Hachimy El Djafary was among the greatest jurist and scholar of his time. This master was among those whose Spiritual Opening was recognized in the Tariqa Muhammadiya.
His merit is well known both among the elite and the commoners and he has been described as a holder of utter sainthood. He was devoted to guiding beings on the path of righteousness with abnegation and effort, headless of the critics for the sake of ALLAH. Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was of the most radiant signs of ALLAH. Of all beings he was supported by coveted spiritual degrees, evident prodigies, abundant knowledge and secrets, wisdom, spiritual openings, subtleties, realities and extraordinary events.
He completely mastered all fields of knowledge including exegesis, hadith, jurisprudence, (dogma) doctrine, legal foundations, Sufism, etc…
In 1229 of the Hegira, in search of knowledge, Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) came to settle in Fes. He often used to come to see his friend at the madrassa. His home was quite close to the Zawiya of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). Because of this, he often walked past the door of the Zawiya, and saw Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) with some of his companions. Sidi Muhammad El Ghali (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was among them and every time he saw Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him), he would stare at him passing by until he was out of sight. Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) noticed this and said to him: “O Mulay, I often see you looking at that young Berber, you do not stop looking at him as he walks past the door of the Zawiya. If you wish, we will give him to you.” Several years later, the words of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) were realized by ALLAH because it is from the hands of Sidi Muhammad El Ghali (may ALLAH be pleased with him) that Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) took the Tariqa.
In his youth, he stayed with the Emir of believers, Sultan Mawlana Suleiman, may ALLAH sanctify his soul in Paradise, and he was his last vizier. Originally, he was affiliated to the Tariqa Nasriya and explained himself the reasons which led him to take the Tariqa of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). Here is an extract from one of his letters:
« My ancestors on both sides and myself were in the Tariqa Nasriya. We followed in their footsteps and our relationship with this pure and elevated spiritual path thrived. However, the reason why I entered the Tariqa Muhammadiya Tidjaniya is that when I went to Fes, I heard about certain special blessings that ALLAH had granted to the members of this Tariqa. I heard this directly from its guide (Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani, may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) who conveyed it himself directly from the Master of Existence (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him), and I also heard that this was the path of pure grace […] »
In his book Jaweb el Muksit, it is written (or words to that effect): “[…] by the Grace of ALLAH, we were blessed to meet Seyyidina, we saw him, we visited him, he invoked God in our favour. We received from him a source of honour and pride both in this world and the next. However, I did not affiliate myself to him at that time.
Sometimes, I heard one of my pious teachers, when considering unsolvable issues in the words of exegetes and muhaddith (experts in the Hadith), say: “[…] the Sheikh Knower of ALLAH, Sidi Ahmed Tidjani said to me […]” When he spoke of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) there was no end to his praise. Thus I inquired as to the identity of this person whom the master-teacher glorified every time he spoke of him. I was answered: “He is a Wali of immense worth immersed in knowledge; he answers any question in any field of knowledge with unquestionable veracity and incredible exactitude, without needing any time to think, and without consulting any books. The questioner was able to record and memorize the answer in its original form.” I was surprised by this, but I knew that ALLAH has saintly servants. Thus ALLAH sowed the seeds of love for them in my heart, and I constantly sought for information about them and especially about Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret). I sought out his companions and questioned them about him and his extraordinary spiritual states, and my love for ALLAH, my aspiration and my yearning grew within my heart. Shortly afterwards, Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) joined ALLAH, The Most High, receiving His Approval and Honours for all eternity. I was among those who attended his funeral prayer and burial, and praise be to ALLAH, at that moment I took affiliation to his blessed Tariqa from the heirs to his light […] »
Once, Sidi Arbi ibn Sa-ih (may ALLAH be pleased with him) questioned Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) concerning what he had heard from Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) and he answered: “The first time that I met Seyyidina at the Zawiya, he welcomed me warmly and had me sit beside him. Then, a man came in and said to Seyyidina Sheikh: “O Sidi, is it true that you said that your disciples and companions are those of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).” Seyyidina replied: “The Prophet himself (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me that “Your disciples are my disciples and your pupils are my pupils and your companions are my companions.””
In 1238 H, Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) took Tariqa from the hands of Sidi Muhammad El Ghali (may ALLAH be pleased with him) and related the circumstances: “When I was in Fes, I heard straight from the guide of this Tariqa Muhammadiya Tidjaniya (Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani, may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) which he had heard from the Master of Existence (peace and blessings be upon him), that ALLAH keeps particular blessings to its people. This is the reason why I entered the Tariqa. I learnt that this was the path of Grace given by ALLAH to those who, in these times of troubles, are unable to apply the rules of rectitude which were respected by our pious ancestors in the days of spiritual purity. Thus, through His Kindness and Grace, He brought forward the Muhammadiya Path: a path of blessings in this time of corruption, to grant bliss to those that He has chosen. I wish to join this path but I was somewhat perplexed. When ALLAH, Glorified and Exalted, wanted to end this perplexity, He sent the virtuous Majdhub, Sidi Ahmed Ghiwane (may ALLAH be pleased with him) to me. He was very compassionate and took great care of me. Every time he met me, he would say: “I want to bring you to the path of Knowledge, and you keep running away!” Every time our paths crossed in the course of the day, he would repeat the same words with an angry and loud voice. Then finally, he said to me: “I swear by ALLAH that if you do not enter the path of Knowledge, I will do this and that to you.” And he threatened me. Nevertheless, I found it very difficult to renounce the path on which I already was. Ultimately, I took the path from one of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani’s companions who was famous for his sainthood. He took my hand and began to speak of the worth and the elevated position of the Sheikh. Then he said to me: “Whether willingly of forcibly, you must enter this Tariqa Muhammadiya.” It was a Friday, and he walked with me to the Zawiya of Sheikh. As we entered the Zawiya, people were praying, and the first words that I heard were the following verses: “We have wanted you, we have loved you, this is our gift, […] Hold tightly onto it, because you originate from love.” Once the authorization had been transmitted to me, I met the Wali Majdhoub again and he began to laugh which was not habitual, bursting with joy, and he said to me: “Receive the great tidings because now you are among the companions of the Sultan.”
Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) inherited the secrets of thirty-two companions of Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) and attained the station of the Qutbaniya where he remained for eighteen years.
The Knower of ALLAH Sidi Muhammad ben Abi Nasr el Alawi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) wrote to him: “By ALLAH, since Mawlana Sheikh, I have not met anyone as great as you…”
Sidi Ahmed Abdelawi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) related the following about him: “I often used to hear him reciting the following words: “Glory and Purity to You; You are Sublime. O Lord, the situation in which we are has become darkened.” Once I thought: “I do not know the reason for his constant assiduity in performing this zikr nor from where he obtained it.” At that moment, he turned to me and replied through spiritual unveiling: “I saw The Lord in a dream. I was prostrated before Him and I was reciting these words. This is why you can hear me reciting this zikr so diligently.” On another occasion, I entered his room, I found him in “a state of (spiritual) contraction” and anxiety reciting this formula and I said to myself: “I absolutely must go out and bring him some optimistic news to relieve him because he loves to rejoice.” So I left with this intention and I heard a voice – although I could not see anyone and did not know whence it came – reciting the following verse: “He is Our Servant to whom We have granted Our Favour.” So I went inside to tell him and he said: “You have relieved me. May ALLAH relieve you.” ”
Thanks to him, the Tariqa spread and grew strong in the south of the country and great Knowers were brought forth from his blessed hands.
Fqih Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was called “The tongue of the Tariqa (i.e The voice of the Tariqa).” He was the author of several books and many letters, striving to shed light on that which critics tried so hard to obscure.
He died at the end of the month of Muharam in 1294H. His tomb is in Marrakech and is well-known for its abundant blessings.