Introduction

Sheikh Ahmad Tijani (Arabic: سيدي أحمد التجاني‎) is renowned as the founder of the Tijaniyya Tariqa, one of the largest and most influential Sufi orders in the world. With a substantial following in North and West Africa and a notable presence in Kerala, India, the Tijaniyya order has made a significant impact on the spiritual and cultural landscape of these regions.

Early Life and Ancestry

Sheikh Ahmad Tijani was born on 12th Safar 1737 (1150 AH) in the oasis town of Ain Madi, located in southwestern Algeria. His lineage traces back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, through his daughter Fatima Zahra's son Hasan I and later through Mawlay Idris, the founder of Morocco. Sheikh Ahmad's father, Sidi Muhammad ibn al-Mukhtar, was a respected scholar from the Abda tribe. The family's relocation to Ain Madi was a response to the Portuguese invasion that threatened their safety.

Education and Early Journey

By the age of 16, Sheikh Tijani was married, but he faced personal loss when both of his parents died from the plague. Despite these hardships, he pursued a rigorous education in the Quran, Maliki Fiqh, and tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism) in his hometown. In 1757, he migrated to Fes, where he was initiated into several Sufi orders: the Qadiriyya, Nasiriyya, and the order of Ahmed al-Habib ibn Muhammad. Afterward, he returned to Algeria and spent five years teaching in the village of al-Abiad.

Pilgrimage and Spiritual Development

In 1772, Sheikh Tijani embarked on a journey to perform Hajj, a pilgrimage that would significantly shape his spiritual path. During this journey, he was initiated into the Khalwati order and spent a year teaching in Tunis. His travels continued to Egypt, where he studied under Mahmud al-Kurdi of the Khalwati order in Cairo. After completing his Hajj in 1773, he met Shaykh Mohammed ibn Abdel Karim al-Samman in Medina, who prophesied his future prominence as a qutb (spiritual pole). Upon returning to Cairo, he taught the methodologies of the Khalwati order before eventually returning to Algeria and settling in Tlemcen for two years.

Founding of the Tijaniyya Order

In 1782, while in the oasis town of Boussemghoun, Sheikh Tijani received a vision of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, instructing him to establish a new Sufi order. This divine directive led to the founding of the Tijaniyya Tariqa. Sheikh Tijani established a zawiya (spiritual center) in Boussemghoun and dedicated the next 15 years to spreading the teachings of the Tijaniyya order. In 1796, he moved back to Fes, Morocco.

Later Years and Legacy

In Fes, Sheikh Tijani was warmly welcomed by Sultan Mawlay Sulayman, who, despite his initial reservations about some Sufi orders, provided Sheikh Tijani with a house and a position on his council. Sheikh Tijani established a Tijani zawiya in Fes and sent disciples across North and West Africa to disseminate the teachings of the Tijaniyya Tariqa. The order soon became one of the largest and most influential Sufi tariqas in the Muslim world. Sheikh Ahmad Tijani passed away in Fes in 1815 and was buried in his zawiya, where a mausoleum was later erected in his honor. Among his notable contributions is the Salat al-Fatih (the Prayer of the Opener), a prayer upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he received directly from the Prophet ﷺ in a vision. Sheikh Tijani's legacy continues to inspire and guide followers across the globe, reflecting the enduring impact of his spiritual teachings and his establishment of the Tijaniyya Tariqa.