Sidi Mukhtar Dabbagh Tilimsani, may ALLAH be pleased with him

Sidi Abu Muhammad Sidi Mukhtar ibn ‘Abdallah Tilimsani was a blessed man, a perfect Knower and a Majdub (enraptured by ALLAH) who righteously walked the spiritual path within this Tariqa. He was reputed for his evident spiritual unveiling and authentic merit. 

Sometimes he was taken by surprising spiritual states comparable to those of the Malamati, and the brothers used to laugh at him, making apparently harmless jokes when in reality they were incessantly mocking him. It has been said that during the litany of the Wazifa, at the seventh bead of Djawharatul Kamal, he was seized by a powerful spiritual state and he accelerated his recitation only to regain control of himself at the end. The Muqaddem Sidi Muhammad Belgacem Basari (may ALLAH be pleased with him) reprimanded him for this, but Sidi Mukhtar (may ALLAH be pleased with him) did not reply. 

On another occasion during the Wazifa, when he reached the seventh bead, he stood up and ran out overwhelmed by the theophany. When the brothers had concluded the recitation of the Wazifa, the Muqaddam said to them jokingly: “This time he could not wait, he got up and left!” Later, the Muqaddam had a dream in which he was with Seyyidina Ahmed Tidjani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) who said to him: “What is this behaviour with Sidi Mukhtar? Mind your own nafs and do not be troublesome.” He woke with a start and ever since he ceased all jesting about him. 

It is said that people witnessed the dazzle of his authentic spiritual unveiling on the day when a group of brothers had persistently taunted him and one of them jokingly asked him: “Have you seen anything for me this time?” Sidi Mukhtar Tilimsani (may ALLAH be pleased with him) replied: “Yes, I have seen that you are going to die in four months, on such and such a day.” And, indeed, this is what ALLAH had destined for this person. 

Later, Sidi Mukhtar Tilimsani (may ALLAH be pleased with him) turned away from people’s jokes and ceased to sit with them. Finally, he died in the city of Meknes.