Tariqa Tidjaniya Fiqh

BASIS OF TIDJANIYA FIQH – IMPORTANT INTRODUCTION

There are three obligatory litanies (awrad): the Lazim (the Wird), the Wadhifa and the Hadra of the Friday.

The Tijaniyya litanies are all based on expressions which come from the Quran and the Sunnah. Reciting them is an inexhaustible source of blessings and neglecting or abandoning them is an open door to misfortunes. The three expressions are:
-Asking ALLAH for forgiveness (Istighfar)
-Sending Prayers (Salat ‘ala Nabi) upon The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
-The Kalima “LA ILAHA ILLALLAH”: “There is no God but ALLAH”

The litanies must only be recited with the authorization of a muqaddam whose transmittal channel is authentic. The other conditions of the validity of the mandatory litanies of the Tidjaniya are:
-The follower must formulate the intention
-The follower must perform ablution with water or Tayyamoun, according to the Sharia rules.
– The body, the clothes and the area, must be purified according to the rules of Salat.
-The follower is required to cover his body (awrah) the same way as for the Salat.
-The disciple must not speak during the mandatory litanies of the Tariqa Tidjaniya, from beginning to end, except through necessity, in which case he may communicate by gestures, and if he is not understood, then he may say one or two words. There are three exceptions to this rule: the follower may speak freely to his parents, the wife (disciple) to her husband, and the follower to his Sheikh (his Muqaddam). The follower must refrain from eating and drinking during the mandatory litanies. Even a little (a sip or what remains between the teeth) invalidates the Lazim, as for the Wadhifa, it is a little more that invalidates it.
He who does not meet any one of the above mentionned conditions, his evocations are invalidated and he has to do them again.

Besides, it is very important to perform the Wadhifa and the ‘Asrou (Hadra of the Friday) in congregation whenever it is possible, pronouncing them aloud and harmoniously with the other brothers.

In order not to reduce the effectiveness (less divine light), the Lazim, and also if performed alone, the Wadhifa and the Hadra of the Friday, should be pronounced in such a way that the follower can hear himself reciting them, facing the Qibla (except for he who is travelling and so cannot face it) and sitting in the prayer position.
Furthermore, understanding the meaning of what is recited, uttering distinctly, visualizing Seyidina Ahmed Tijani (may Allah be satisfied with him) and even better, our Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), all this helps to obtain maximum benefit from the litanies.

I. THE LAZIM (WIRD)

The Lazim is composed of these three mandatory pillars (in this order):

1. 100 times “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness from ALLAH)

2. 100 times Salat ‘ala Nabi, the best one is Salatul Fatihi: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammadin el fatihi lima ughliqa, wal khatimi lima sabaqa, nasiri-l-haqqi bil haqqi wal hadi ila siratiqa-l-mustaqim, wa ‘ala alihi haqqa qadrihi wa miqdarihi-l-‘adhim.” You can listen to its recitation HERE.

Salatul Fatihi is a particular prayer that the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) ordered Seyyidina Ahmed Tijani (may Allah sanctify his precious secret), during a wakefull vision in broad daylight, to recite and to transmit. The Pole (Qutb) Sidi Muhammad El Bakri (may Allah be pleased with him) had already received it. He had gone on spiritual retreat for several years in Mecca with the intention that ALLAH (The Glorified and The Exalted) would teach him the formula of prayer on the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) that gathers together all the other prayers and their secrets. And indeed, it was revealed to him. An angel came to him with an enlightened tablet on which Salatul Fatihi was written. But he kept it secret because this prayer was exclusively reserved for the advent of the Hidden Pole (i.e. Seyyidina Sheikh Ahmed Tijani) and his disciples. Salatul Fatihi’s merits are numerous, Seyyidina Ahmed Tijani (may Allah be satisfied with him) said: “If there were 100000 communities, and each of these communities was constituted of 100000 tribes, and each of these tribes was formed of 100000 men, and each of these men lived 100000 years, and each of these men recited 100000 salat ‘ala Nabi everyday other than Salatul Fatihi, then all these rewards would not reach the reward of a single Salatul Fatihi.

3. 100 times “La Ilaha illAllah” (There is no God but Allah). After the hundredth “La Ilaha illAllah”, we have to say: “Muhammadun Rasulullah. ‘alayhi Salamullah”

There are also different meritorious expressions (not mandatory) that we can say in the Lazim.

Here is a simple example of a Lazim:

– (intention of making the morning or evening Lazim)
– “A’udhu billahi mina chaytani rajim”
– Surah El Fatiha + “Ameen”: 1 time
– 100 times “Astaghfirullah” 
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 100 times Salatul Fatihi 
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 100 times “La Ilaha illAllah” and after the hundredth “La Ilaha illAllah”: “Muhammadun Rasulullah. ‘alayhi Salamullah” 
– “Innallaha wa mala-i-katahu yusalluna ‘ala nabiyi, ya ayyuha ladhina amanu sallu ‘alayhi wa sallimu taslima” (Sourate 33 El Ahzab, verset 56) 
– “Sallallahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallama taslima”
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– Make du’a.

PRACTICE TIMING OF THE WIRD

The Lazim is an obligatory wird performed alone, in a low voice, twice a day: morning and evening. Failure to perform the obligatory wird must be made up for.

The time to perform the morning wird starts from Subh Prayer untill Duha al A’la (about midday) – this is the preferable time. In the case of valid excuse, the time of necessity, extends from Duha al ‘Ala to the Maghreb Prayer (the sunset).
The morning Lazim cannot be accomplished in the time between the Fajr and Subh Prayers.
The morning wird can be brought forward in the night, after the ‘Isha Prayer and the time to recite five sub-parts (hizb) of Quran (i.e. about 1h30 after ‘Isha Prayer time), but in this case it must be finished before the Azan of the Fajr, otherwise we must redo it. During the night, before Fajr, the reward is greater. Seyyidina Ahmed Tijani (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said: “The evocation of the wird during the night is equivalent to five hundred times its evocation during the day, and this is true for all good deeds.”

The time to perform the evening wird starts from ‘Asr Prayer untill ‘Icha Prayer – this is the preferable time. In the case of valid excuse, the time of necessity, extends from ‘Icha Prayer to the Fajr Prayer (the dawn).

It is possible to bring forward the evening Lazim under three conditions:
1. As for the morning Lazim, the evening Lazim can only be brought forward before the Fajr Prayer (i.e. during the night which precedes the day but never before the ‘Asr or Dhor Prayers).
2. It can be anticipated in the case of an impediment which we think will cover the entire period of preferable time of the evening Lazim (so from the Asr to the Isha). And then, even if the impediment ends during this period, the evening Lazim done in advance remains valid.
3. In the case of performing the evening Lazim in advance (during the night, before the Fajr prayer), we must perform it after the morning Lazim. So the order is: morning Lazim in advance and then evening Lazim in advance. The suitable intention must be formulated before the wird each time.
It is reported by Sidi Taieb Sefiani in Ifadat-l-Ahmediya that Seyyidina Ahmed Tijani (may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret) said: “Whoever wishes to perform the wird of the Asr (i.e. the evening Lazim) in advance, may only do so if there is an impediment at this time. In this case he should perform it advance during the night.”

CONDITIONS FOR THE PERFECTION OF THE LAZIM

Sidi Arbi Ibn Sa-ih (may ALLAH be pleased with him) mentioned three conditions to perfect the lazim:
1. To face the qibla with the whole body, as for the prayer (Salat) from the beginning of the lazim to the end. Exception is made for people who are traveling: they should recite facing the direction taken by the vehicule.
2. To Recite the zikr under one’s breath (almost inaudibly) from beginning to end, like the companions of Seyyidina ()(may ALLAH sanctify his precious secret)– under the breath means that the lips should still be moved.
3. To be seated.

OTHER RULES:

The following is permitted (Ja-iz):
1- A gesture
2- Drinking in the case of absolute necessity
3- Swallowing any food that may remain in the mouth
4- Taking something or pushing it away
5- Leaning on something 

The following is disapproved (makruh)
1- Reciting the lazim out loud
2- Smiling
3- Turning around during the zikr
4- Thinking about worldly matters
5- Dozing off (light sleep) which does not compromise the ablutions 

The following is forbidden (mamnu’)
1- Mispronunciation
2- Rushing the recitation such that the pronunciation and the meaning are modified
3 Laughing 

II. THE WADHIFA

The Wadhifa must be performed in congregation whenever it is possible, the rows should be arranged properly and the recitation out loud.
The Wadhifa is composed of these four mandatory pillars (in this order):
1- 30 times the following well-known expression of Istighfar: “Astaghfirullah Al ‘Adhim aladhi la ilaha illa Houwa-l-Hayyou-l-Qayyoum” (I ask forgiveness from ALLAH, The Great One, there is no God but Him, The Ever Living One, The Self Existing One)
2- 50 times Salatul Fatihi (during the Wadhifa, we cannot recite any other prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) otherwise it is invalidated as Sidi ‘Arbi ibn Sa-ih (may ALLAH be satisfied with him) said.
3- 100 times “La Ilaha illAllah” (There is no God but Allah). After the hundredth “La Ilaha illAllah”, we have to say: “Muhammadun Rasulullah. ‘alayhi Salamullah”
4- 12 times Djawharatul Kamal (a special prayer upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him). You can listen to its recitation HERE.

Mandatory conditions for the recitation of Djawharatul-l-Kamal:
– Ablutions with water
– A clean place, wide enough for six people
– Reciting it in a sitting position, and not while mounted or on a boat
– Clean clothes
If the follower does not meet one of these conditions, he must not recite Djawharatul-l-Kamel. So during the Wadhifa, instead of reciting 12 times Djawharatul Kamal, he recites 20 times Salatul Fatihi

Besides, there are different, although not mandotary, meritorious expressions that we can say in the Wadhifa. So here is how it is recited in ‘AIN MADHI:

– (intention)
– “A’udhu billahi mina chaytani rajim”
– Surah El Fatiha + “Ameen”: 1 time
– Salatul Fatihi: 1 time
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 30 times “Astaghfirullah Al ‘Adhim aladhi la ilaha illa Houwa-l-Hayyou-l-Qayyoum”
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 50 times Salatul Fatihi 
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 100 times “La Ilaha illAllah” and after the hundredth “La Ilaha illAllah”: “Seyyiduna Muhammadun Rasulullah. ‘alayhi Salamullah” 
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 12 times Djawharatul Kamal 
– “Innallaha wa mala-i-katahu yusalluna ‘ala nabiyi, ya ayyuha ladhina amanu sallu ‘alayhi wa sallimu taslima” (Sourate 33 El Ahzab, verset 56) 
– “Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallama taslima”
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– Du’a

PRACTICE TIMING FOR THE WADHIFA

The Wadhifa must to be performed at least once a day, twice a day is better.
If the Wadhifa is accomplished twice a day, is to be performed at the same time as the Lazim
If the Wadhifa is performed only once a day, its time begins from the ‘Asr Prayer to the ‘Asr Prayer of the next day and the period of necessity, in the case of valid excuse, extends to the Maghreb Prayer of this next day.

NOTE

Women may attend the Wadhifa if two conditions are met:
– Being in separate places where men and women cannot see each other
– Women must not recite aloud (as for the five daily Prayers)

III THE HAYLALA (THE HADRA ON FRIDAY, THE ‘ASRU)

The Haylala (other names: Hadra, ‘Asru) is the Friday’s dhikr to be performed between ‘Asr and Maghreb Prayers.
Like the Wadhifa, the Friday’s Hadra must be performed in congregation whenever it is possible, arranging the ranks properly, reciting aloud.
It is performed only on the Friday, and only between ‘Asr and Maghreb Prayers, the best time is just before the Azan of the Maghreb Prayer. If it is not accomplished during this lapse of time, we cannot make up for it.
Seyyidina Ahmed Tijani (may ALLAH be satisfied with him) said that if it is not performed during this period (i.e. between the ‘Asr and Maghreb Prayers on Friday) without a valid excuse, the follower should know that he has missed out on an immense blessing that he will not be able to make up for.

The Haylala is composed of one single pillar:
Recitation of “La Ilaha illAllah” 1000, 1200 or 1600 times , and following the last “La Ilaha illAllah” we recite“Seyyiduna Muhammadun Rasulullah. ‘alayhi Salamullah“

Here is an example of a recitation of the Haylala:
– (intention)
– “A’udhu billahi mina chaytani rajim”
– Surah El Fatiha + “Ameen”: 1 time
– 3 times “Astaghfirullah Al ‘Adhim aladhi la ilaha illa Houwa-l-Hayyou-l-Qayyoum”
– 1 or 3 times Salatul Fatihi 
– “Innallaha wa mala-i-katahu yusalluna ‘ala nabiyi, ya ayyuha ladhina amanu sallu ‘alayhi wa sallimu taslima” (Sourate 33 El Ahzab, verset 56) 
– “Sallallahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallama taslima”
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– 1200 times “La Ilaha illAllah” 
– “Seyyiduna Muhammadun Rasulullah ‘alayhi Salamullah” 
– “A’udhu billahi mina chaytani rajim”
– Surah El Fatiha + “Ameen”: 1 time
– 1 or 3 times Salatul Fatihi 
– “Innallaha wa mala-i-katahu yusalluna ‘ala nabiyi, ya ayyuha ladhina amanu sallu ‘alayhi wa sallimu taslima” (Sourate 33 El Ahzab, verset 56) 
– “Sallallahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallama taslima”
– “Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati ‘amma yasifuna wa salamun ‘ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu lillahi rabbi-l-‘alameen” (Surah Saffat 37, verses 180-181-182).
– Du’a