1

JAZBUL MURĪD

“Drawing the Murīds toward the Sheikhs”

by

Cheikh Ibrahima FALL “Bab-ul-Murīdīna”

(Door to Muridism)

Translated from Arabic to French by the “Comité de Traduction” (1998)

Annotated English translation by Akke Fall (2020)

2

Page 1 in Arabic

3

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 5

THE BASMALA 7

PRAISE 9

FASTING 11

PRAYER 12

RECOMMENDATIONS TO MURĪDS 18

BEING KIND TO PARENTS 21

SERIES OF ADVICE TO MURĪDS 53

ADVICE ON SOCIAL RELATIONS 65

4

First edition, 2020

Second edition, 2021

© Akke Wagenaar

Published by: Akke Wagenaar, Guinguineo,

Senegal

Website: www.sakkuxamxam.org

All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, published, or transmitted in

any form or by any means without the prior

permission of the copyright holder.

Title: JAZBUL MURĪD - Drawing the Murīds

toward the Sheikhs

Author: Sheikh Ibrahima Fall

Translated by: Akke Wagenaar

Edited by: Akke Wagenaar

Cover by: Akke Wagenaar

ISBN: pending (PDF)

ISBN: pending (Kindle)

5

INTRODUCTION

A'uzu billāhi min-al-shaytāni-r-rajīm.

Bismi-l-lāhi ar-rakhmāni ar-rahīmi.

Wa salla-l-lāhu ta'āla' alayhi sayyiduna

Muhammad wa-salāma taslīma.

“I seek refuge with Allāh from the cursed Satan.

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the

Most Merciful. And may the Prayer of Allāh, the

Exalted, be on him, our master Muhammad, and a

very respectful salutation.”

Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāhi ta'āla'

al-'azīm.

“There is neither power nor strength except

through Allāh, the Exalted, the Most Great.”

---------- ∞ ----------

6

Sheikh Ibrahima [Fall] bin (son of) Muhammad bin

(son of) Ahmed–may Allāh, the Exalted, help him

accomplish praiseworthy deeds, and us as well–the

Guide, the one who follows the path laid down by

his magnanimous, clairvoyant, and just Sheikh, the

Guide of the Murīds, by his wisdom, Sheikh

Ibrahima, who is hooked up to the rope of his

Sheikh al-Bakki1, who is himself attached to the

Sunnah2 of the Prophet al-Makki3 (SAWS)4, the

Savant, the Learned Man, the Ocean of Knowledge,

the Knower, the one who is unique in his time and

his epoch, whose every disciple is on the right path

and every opponent lost, and whose every disciple

is saved and every individual turned away from

him a loser.

1 The Arabic word Al-Bakki means “the one from Mbacke”; “Sheikh al-Bakki” designates Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke (also known as Serigne Touba). 2 In Islamic theology, the term Sunnah (or Sunnah) designates the body of traditional, social, and legal customs and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), based on Hadiths (verbally transmitted records of his teachings, deeds, sayings, and silent permissions and disapprovals; see Note 32 on page 33). In English, the word Sunnah should not be translated as “Prophetic traditions,” which refers to written or oral prophecies within cultures, usually of a religious nature. 3 The Arabic word Al-Makki means “the one from Mecca”; “the Prophet al-Makki” designates Muhammad (SAWS). 4 SAWS is an abbreviation of the Prayer on the Prophet: “Salla-l-lāhu 'Alayhi Wa-Salām,” literally: “May Allāh's Prayer be upon him and peace (or: salutation),” or “May Peace and Blessings of Allāh be upon him.”

7

THE BASMALA

حِيمِ حْمنِ الرَّ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّ

Bismi-l-lāhi ar-rahmāni ar-rahīmi.

“In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the

Most Merciful.”

---------- ∞ ----------

That Sheikh Ibrahima said:

Regarding the exegesis of the Basmala5

(“Bismi-l-lāhi ar-rahmāni ar-rahīmi”):

the letter bā (ب) is an allusion to abandoning sin;

the letter sin (س) an allusion to abandoning the

heinous; the letter mim (م) an incentive to take the

Prophet (SAWS) as an example.

According to another exegesis, the letter bā (ب) is

a symbol for the Beauty of Allāh, the letter sin

5 The Basmala is the expression “Bismi-l-lāhi ar-rahmāni ar-rahīmi” (In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). It is the opening sentence of the first Ayah (Verse) of the first Surah (Chapter) of the Holy Quran, Al-Fatiha (The Opening).

8

for the Splendor of Allāh, and the letter mim (س)

.for his Might (م)

Then, according to a third exegesis, the letter bā

stands for the Goodness of Allāh, the letter (ب)

sin (س) for the Splendor of Allāh, and the letter

mim (م) for Allāh’s Power and Eternity.

The letter ālif (ا) of the Allāh’s Name (الله)

signifies the Oneness of Allāh.

The first lām (ل) signifies the Benevolence of

Allāh.

The second lām (ل) signifies His Ability to soften

the hearts of believers.

The letter hā (ه), lastly, signifies His Ability to

guide them on the Straight Path–He, the Most

Gracious in this world and in the Hereafter.

9

PRAISE

Know that there are four types of praise6:

- Al-hamdu-l-Qadīm li-l-Qadīm: a hamdu (praise)

emanating from al-Qadīm (the One without

Beginning) toward Himself, as in the Ayah (Verse):

“[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who created the

heavens and the earth.” (Quran Al An'am 6:1)

- Al-hamdu-l-Qadīm li-l-hādith: a hamdu (praise)

from al-Qadīm (the One without Beginning)

toward a hādith (incident, i.e., man), as in the Ayah

(Verse):

6 The expression Cheikh Ibrahima Fall is referring to here and that is used by certain Sufi brotherhoods, is: “Al-hamdu-l-Qadīm li-l-Qadīm, al-hamdu-l-Qadīm li-l-hādith, al-hamdu-l-hādith li-l-Qadīm, al-hamdu-l-hādith li-l-hādith” (Praise from the One without Beginning toward the One without Beginning, Praise from the One without Beginning toward the incident, praise from the incident toward the One without Beginning, praise from the incident toward the incident).

10

”... an excellent slave. Indeed, he often returned [in

repentance].”

(Quran Sad 38:30)

- Al-hamdu-l-hādith li-l-Qadīm: a hamdu

(praise) from a hādith (incident) toward

al-Qadīm (the One without Beginning), as in the

Ayah (Verse):

“Praise be to Allāh, Lord of the worlds.”

(Quran Al-Fatihah 1:2)

- Al-hamdu-l-hādith li-l-hādith: a hamdu (praise)

from a hādith (incident) toward another hādith

(incident), like those we regularly exchange with

each other.

All these types of praises, finally, belong to Allāh,

because He is the Lord of the slaves and their

deeds.

11

FASTING

Know that fasting is only profitable if you target

the assertion of the Existence of Allāh and if you

keep a close watch on four elements–the eyes, the

heart, the ears, and the mind–by controlling them,

because they are sensory organs.

Try also to control the other organs and to not

introduce anything into them, whether it is food

or drinks.

Fasting is exclusively for Allāh, Who takes care of

its rewards, and when you do it with the sole goal

to please Allāh, that takes on a meaning: Allāh is

the Far and the Near, and you are the asker.

Know, therefore, that the distance persists as long

as you do not undertake the journey. Allāh is

certainly near, but He also put a Veil between

Him and some of His worshippers so that their

eyes do not see Him.

But the existence of the distance and the Veil is

softened by the words of certain Sunnites, who

affirm that one will see Allāh in Paradise and also

that the distance separating us from Him disappears

progressively through the Blessings of fasting.

12

PRAYER

Wa-l-salāh fā-aqimhā biniyyati qabla takbīrat…

“And the salāh (prayer), accomplish it therefore

with the niyya (intention) [started] before the

Takbīrat (the Allāh akbar)7...”

...and terminated–and this is strongly preferred–

between the hamza8 of Allāh and the rā of akbar.

Wa-l-iqāma sunna fi al-salāh…

“And the iqāma9 (second call) in the salāh

(prayer) is Sunnah...”

7 The Takbīrat “Allāh akbar” (Allāh is the Greatest) is pronounced by the praying person at the beginning of the prayer, after the niyya (intention). That opening Takbīrat is called the takbīrat al-ihram (takbīrat of consecration). The niyya (intention) is, therefore, at the very beginning of the prayer and can be expressed in the heart–it is not necessary to pronounce it. (For niyya, see Note 21 on page 25) 8 The first letter alif (ا) of Allāh bears a hamza (ء): ألله 9 The iqāma is the second call to prayer and marks the effective beginning of the prayer. In the mosque, it is pronounced by the muezzin (the one who calls to prayer) and at home by the believer.

13

... while the sermon of an Imam to his audience,

on Fridays, is part of the supererogatory.

And because the things of this world can distract

us, make sure your body and mind are present, as

if you saw your Owner10 and communicated

secretly with Him.

Do not be just physically present while your mind

is busy with other things than Allāh, the Exalted,

and His Prophet (SAWS).

Try, therefore, to turn away from the trivialities of

this world and stop thinking about earthly

matters.

Rather think of the Hereafter by doing your best

to listen to your communication with Allāh, so

that you can benefit from His Blessings at the end

of your prayer, by the glory of your sheikh.

---------- ∞ ----------

10 Compare with the Hadīth in which the Prophet (SAWS) responded to the question: “What is Ihsan (perfection)?” with: “[Ihsan is] to worship Allāh as if you saw Him, and if you cannot see Him, then He certainly sees you.” (Sahīh Bukhari 50, Book 2, Hadith 43). (For the term Hadīth, see Note 32 on page 33)

14

It is Allāh alone Who guides to good deeds and it

is He Who guided Ibrahima [Fall] bin (son of)

Muhammad bin (son of) Ahmed bin (son of)

Habib Allāh, the Exalted–may Allāh, the Exalted,

allow us to benefit from his glory, may He be

pleased with him and with us, by the glory of

Muhammad–may the Blessings of Allāh, the

Exalted, be upon him, and peace.

Therefore, you who seeks knowledge, do not be

with respect to this book like...

”...those who disbelieved from among the People

of the Scripture … [who] were not going to give

up [their disbelief] until there came to them the

clear evidence.” (Quran Al-Bayyinah 98:1)

And although this book does not come from

Allāh, it nevertheless comes from one of those

who recommend the good, and it is capable of...

…jazbu-l-mouridīn ilā al-shuyūkh.

“...drawing the Murīds toward the sheikhs.”

And you, do not underestimate these sheikhs,

because they do not desire...

15

...illā wajh Allāh ta'āla wa khidmat rassoulhi

salla-l-lāhu ta'āla…

“...but the Wajh11 (Face) of Allāh, the Exalted,

and the service to His Prophet–may the Blessings

of Allāh, the Exalted, be upon him, and peace.”

Remember that the payment of a debt is the

responsibility of the heirs of a deceased person,

and that if there are no debts, it is recommended

to give [the inheritance] away as alms.12

11 To be allowed to see the Wajh (Face) of Allāh is the best Reward in Paradise. Compare with these Verses of the Quran: “Therein will be for them everything they desire, and with Us will be (even) more,” (Quran Qāf 50:35) and “For those who have done good is [reserved] the best (al-husna), and even more,” (Quran Yunus 10:26). According to Suhayb (RA), the Messenger (SAWS) said: “When those deserving Paradise will enter Paradise, Allāh, the Blessed and the Exalted, will ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from the Fire?’ Then He will lift the Veil, and of the things given to them nothing will be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and Glorious.” Next, the Prophet (SAWS) recited the Verse “For those who have done good is [reserved] the best (al-husna), and even more.” (Sahīh Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 356) 12 According to 'Aicha (RA): “A man went to the Prophet (SAWS) and said: ‘Verily, my mother died all of a sudden and did not leave a wassiya (will). I think if she had spoken she would have given it away as alms. If I give alms for her will she have a reward and will I will a reward?’ The Prophet (SAWS) said: ‘Yes.’ ” (Ibn Maja, Sunan 2717).

16

That [idea of] putting oneself at the service of the

sheikhs is not at all intended to undervalue the

Murīds, because the door to Allāh is hidden in the

hearts of the believers.

Therefore, if you are looking for righteousness

then tap on the hearts of the Murīds and draw

from their resources, become infused with a

sincere faith, and make doing good deeds and

having hope in Allāh your goal.

Do not seek consolation but in Allāh, the Exalted,

because He is with you, as He says in the Quran:

“And He is with you wherever you are. And Allāh

is the All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran Al-Hadid

57:4)

Make His Power your only burden, because He

saves that up before revealing it, and make His

Eternal Light your goal, for any light other than

His is predestined to be extinguished.

In the same way, consider His Power the only

Eternal Power, for all other power is nothing but

a short-lived illusion.

The phrase “Remember that...” means that the sheikhs (the heirs) inherited an inheritance (the Light of Muhammad, SAWS) that has no debts and that they, therefore, will give away as alms (to their families and disciples).

17

Make your worship of Him your only

nourishment, because that nourishment will

persist, while all other nourishments are

perishable.

Visit only people that are dedicated to prayer and

fasting and who strive for Allāh.

In that way you will be saved from the

fascination that women and power induce, as that

leads to nothing but downfall.

Shun people attached to the temporal and

shameful acts–they cannot go beyond what Allāh

commands, or can they?

After that, meditate on the Ayah (Verse) that

says:

“Do you enjoin righteousness on people and

forget [to practice it] yourselves…?” (Quran

Al-Baqarah 2:44)

18

RECOMMENDATIONS TO MURĪDS

O You, Murīd13, how can you aspire to build,

while you yourself are nothing but a simple

building that was created?

Come to me–you will find me and you will obtain

Salvation.

How can you aspire to carry while you yourself

are being carried?

Lighten your burden and do not worry too much

about it.

Do not be a beacon of bewilderment, but consider

taking off your burden, for it will only become

stable if you lower yourself before your Lord.

Indeed, how will you be able to think when you

are struggling under the weight of a heavy load?

13 Al-Murīd is one of Allāh’s Names and means “Owner of Willingness.” In Sufism, the word murīd in a general sense means “one who desires,” “seeker,” “one who aspires (to Allāh).” In this book, Murīd means a disciple of Cheikh Amadou Bamba Mbacke (also known as Serigne Touba) or one his successors. Followers of Mame Cheikh Ibrahima Fall or one of his successors are called a “Baye Fall,” but are at the same time Murīds.

19

Therefore, do not wear yourself out and do not let

yourself be held back by timidity or insecurity.

The Veils of Allāh alone cannot be the obstacles

that will prevent you from heading to your goal.

Know that the key to that goal is in the hands of

your sheikh and that, due to that fact, you will be

obliged to pass through his door to reach Allāh,

and that a door to Allāh can neither be forced

open nor broken down.

Therefore, seek his blessing–a blessing mentioned

in this Ayah (Verse): “... certainly, We would

have opened upon them blessings from the heaven

and the earth...,” (Quran Al-A'raf 7:96), as Allāh

did with the Angels (AS)14 and the Prophets (AS).

These words should suffice to enlighten you,

because the door to Allāh is hidden in the hearts

of the believers (i.e., the sheikhs), and if they are

pleased [with you] you will obtain Salvation

tomorrow.

On the other hand, and as this Ayah (Verse) of the

Holy Quran reminds us: “Verily, those who

subjected the believing men and women to

ordeals, and then did not repent, will have the

14 AS is an abbreviation of “alayhi salām” (“Peace be upon him” or “may Allāh’s Peace be upon him”).

20

punishment of Hell, and they will have the

punishment of the Burning Fire.” (Quran

Al-Buruj 85:10)

Thus, while it is recommended to Murīds to put

themselves at the service of their sheikh, to feed

the poor, the weak, and their family members,

and to cover the shameful parts of their bodies

with a garment during prayer, likewise it is a

duty which is incumbent on every Muslim to

prepare themselves for death and the Hereafter,

because every home and every dwelling place

needs to be furnished before it can be inhabited.

Therefore, seek that which is in Allāh and His

Prophet (SAWS), even though it will only be

given to you after your death, and do not forget

your last dwelling place, so as not to find it in an

advanced state of decay tomorrow.

Also, be careful to abstain from unlawful profits,

because they do nothing but blemish what you

gained.

Fear Hell and make Paradise your goal–that

Paradise of which Allāh says: “Each of those two

gardens produced its fruits ...” (Quran 18:33)

And do not be wretched like a mourning dress,

because disbelievers will find only heated metal

as a reward.

21

BEING KIND TO PARENTS

Being kind to parents is an obligation that is

mentioned in the Quran, that is Sunnah, and

about which the fuqahā (jurists) are unanimous.

You should certainly not follow them in their sins,

but you have to be gentle with them, formulate

prayers for them if they are Muslims, treat them

well, and be devoted to them like a slave.

That is because Allāh recommends to respect

them and to ask for Allāh's Mercy on them, as it is

recommended in this Ayah (Verse):

“…and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, as

they brought me up [when I was] small,’ ” (Quran

Al-Isra 17:24),

and in this Ayah (Verse):

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship

none but Him and that you be kind to your

parents. If one of them or both of them reach old

age in your life, do not say ‘Pfft...!’ to them

(expressing contempt) nor push them away, but

address them in terms of honor.” (Quran Al-Isra

17:23)

Therefore, be always and everywhere good to

them, whether there are witnesses [to see it] or

not, and do not abandon them, because you are

their heir and they cultivated in you the love of

22

devotion, and especially the love of devotion to

Allāh.

Know also that whoever engages his parents in

serving Allāh has done a good deed and that

whoever engages them in serving another than

Allāh has committed an act of ingratitude–an

ingratitude from man that is similar to the

ingratitude about which Allāh says:

“Verily, man is ungrateful to his Lord, and to

that indeed he bears witness. And verily, violent

is he in his love of wealth.” (Quran Al-'Adiyat

100:6-8)

Thus, there are parents that do not urge their

offspring to engage in the Way of Allāh, because

they do not want to argue with them–parents that

even lament when their children seek the

Pleasure of Allāh, but are rejoicing when they

strive to obtain earthly goods.

They do not bemoan the fact that their children

turn away from Allāh, Who nevertheless deserves

more than anyone that one is devoted to him, for

He is the Lord of the slaves and their deeds.

Does he not say in his Holy Book:

“...while Allāh created you and what you

craft,” (Quran As-Saffat 37:96)?

23

And if it had pleased Him, He would have killed

you and your parents, like it is possible for Him

to kill you without them, or to kill them and spare

you.

It is Allāh alone Who guarantees fortune, as He

states in this Ayah (Verse):

“And there is not a moving creature on earth but

its provision is due upon Allāh. And He knows its

dwelling place and its deposit.15 All is in a Clear

Book.”16 (Quran Hud 11:6)

---------- ∞ ----------

These words come from the distinguished Sheikh,

the truthful Murīd who outperformed his

generation, that is to say, sayyiduna17 (our

15 In his Tafsir (Exegesis), Ibn Kathir writes: “This place of nesting is also considered their place of deposit. 'Ali ibn Abu Talhah and others reported from Ibn 'Abbas that he said concerning the statement ‘And He knows its dwelling place,’ that it means ‘where it resides’. In reference to the statement ‘and its deposit,’ he (Ibn 'Abbas) said that it means: ‘where it will die.’ ” 16 The “Clear Book” is al-Lawh Al-Mahfūz (“the Book of Decrees”, “the Preserved Tablet”, or “the Record”). 17 Sayyid means “lord” or “master” (sayyiduna means “our master”) and is an honorific title for those accepted as descendants of Muhammad (SAWS) and his cousin and son in law 'Ali (RA) through his grandchildren Hasan ibn 'Ali (RA) and Husayn ibn 'Ali (RA). The sāda (pl.) are all descendants of Banu (the tribe of) Hashim, the direct

24

master) Ibrahima [Fall] bin (son of) Muhammad

bin (son of) Ahmed, who spoke, among others

things, the following words:

O Allāh Who helps, we implore Your Help and

Your Assistance, for there is no Power nor Force

but in You, the Exalted, the Most Great.

Glory to Allāh, Who made His Prophets (AS) and

His Chosen the custodians of His Blessings,

which they then distribute among the other slaves

[of Allāh].

Glory to Allāh, Who made the ulemas (savants)

the worthy heirs of the Prophets (AS).

As for you, slaves of Allāh, I recommend you the

worship of Allāh as He prescribed it to you, that

is to say, to worship only Him, and I recommend

you to fear Him and to praise Him–He Who is the

Originator of Life and the Only One capable of

giving life back.18

I also recommend you to ponder over what is

around you–that environment that possesses

descendants of Isma'il (Ismael, RA), son of Ibrahim (Abraham, RA). 18 The words “capable of giving life back” refer to the second life, after our death, when Allāh will give all souls their life back in the Hereafter.

25

neither knowledge nor sense, while you–you

know at least something.

Act honestly on this earth that saw you being

born and will be your last dwelling place–that

place that you do not know and where you will

not be able to protect yourself nor anyone else

from harm.

Therefore, fear your Lord and do not fear anyone

else, because He acts without fear, and nothing

and nobody can stop Him, nor blame Him, nor

forbid Him something, nor compete with Him,

nor resist His Will.

And remind yourself of this Ayah (Verse), which

says:

“And I did not create the jinns19 and mankind but

to worship Me.” (Quran Adh-Dhaiyat 51:56)

Therefore, O men and jinns (spirits), worship

Allāh, fear Him, and obey Him, because:

19 Jinns or “genies, spirits, or demons” are beings Allāh created from fire. They are intelligent and unperceivable and live in the psychological or spiritual world. In “The Gifts of the Everlasting without Beginning in the Life of Sheikh al-Khadīm,” Sheikh Muhammad al-Bashir Mbacke writes: “... among the jinns are Muslims, to whom the name Iblis (i.e., Satan) does not apply, and others who are vicious and rebellious, like certain human beings.” (Translation: Akke Fall)

26

“And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger

has indeed achieved a great success.” (Quran

An-Ahzab 33:71)

And if you are tempted to disregard your duties

with respect to Allāh then look at the example of

the earth that Allāh revivifies after its death.20

Nothing but vain strivings on earth, while there is

a commerce that generates returns immediately–

so take heed!

And that brings us to the duties with respect to

the guide (i.e., the sheikh).

Go to him with the intention to please Allāh, but

consider your devotion to the guides as a seed

from which you hope to harvest some fruits,

because deeds are [judged] by niyya (intention),

as the Prophet (SAWS) said.21

20 Mame Cheikh Ibrahima Fall alludes to the following Ayah (Verse) of the Quran: “Know that Allāh gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed, We have made clear the Ayat (Verses, or, literally: Signs) to you, so that perhaps you may understand.” (Quran Al-Hadid 57:17) 21 The concept of niyya is to have the intention in the heart to do something for the love of Allāh. Omar Ibn Al-Khattāb (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allāh (SAWS) say: “Deeds are [judged] by niyya (intention), so each man will

27

Remember also the Ayah (Verse) that says:

“So ask the people of the Reminder22 if you know

not,” (Quran Al-Anbiya 21:7),

and that other Ayah (Verse), which says:

“Verily! We have seen the turning of your face

have what he intended. Thus, he whose hijra (migration) was toward Allāh and His Messenger, his migration is to Allāh and His Messenger; but he whose migration was toward a worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is toward that for which he migrated.” (Sahīh Bukhari 6689, Sahīh Muslim 1907) 22 In this Ayah (Verse), “the people of the Reminder” refers to those who know the previous Scriptures–the Taurat (Torah) and the Injīl (Gospel). It was this Ayah that Serigne Touba recited when he was exiled for a second time, to Mauretania. In “The Gifts of the Everlasting without Beginning in the Life of Sheikh al-Khadīm,” Sheikh Muhammad al-Bashīr Mbacke writes: The Alawite poet, the noble jurist, the judge Muhammad Abdullāh ibn Fafa, from whom [there are] marvelous laudatory Qasā'id (poems), told me later that he met him [i.e., Cheikhna], accompanied by our Sheikh, who asked him: “Who are the inhabitants of this valley?” “So I mentioned the Alawite sheikhs Sheikh Ahmed ibn Sheikh Muhammad al Hāfiz and Sheikh Ahmad ibn Buddi, and he said: ‘Fasalū ahla l-dhik'ri in kuntum lāta'lamūna (So ask the people of the Reminder if you know not),’” (16:43). And the man said: “When I returned, I told them about him and that I was convinced that he was the Sheikh whom we had been hearing about due to his issue. When they had ascertained that, they asked me: ‘What did he say to you?’ I answered them: ‘He asked me who [was living] here, and I mentioned you to him, and he said: ‘Fasalū ahla l-dhik'ri in kuntum lāta'lamūna.’’ They said: ‘Praise be to God because he considers us to be among the people of the Reminder.’” (Translation: Akke (Fall) Wagenaar)

28

[O Muhammad] toward the heaven [looking for

guidance].” (Quran Al-Baqarah 2:144)

However, it is accepted that those who do not

have water for their ablutions purify themselves

by tayammum23 (purification with clean sand or

earth) and that those who cannot perform the

Hajj (pilgrimage) limit themselves to expressing

their niyya (intention).

And thus, even though the Murīds did not see the

Prophet (SAWS), they can have the Awliyā'24

(Saints) represent him (SAWS), thus complying

with the recommendation of this Ayah (Verse),

which says:

“O you who believe! Fear Allāh and seek the

means to approach Him, and strive in His Way,

that you may succeed.” (Quran Al-Ma'idah 5:35)

23 Tayammum means that when no water is available or for medical reasons, the believer is allowed to perform a “dry purification” by using a mineral material such as clean sand or earth. 24 Al-Wa'li or Al-Waliyy, the singular of Awliyā', is one of the Beautiful Names of Allāh, and means “the Friend,” “the Helper,” or “the Ally.” The plural awliyā applies to people and means “friends,” “helpers,” or “allies” of Allāh. In the usage of the Sufis, the word Wa'li designates a Saint and the word Awliyā' Saints (i.e., Sufi Saints).

29

Therefore, do not wait until Yawm al-Ākhir (the

Last Day)25 before you start acting.

If you do that, you will regret it bitterly because

the opportunity will have passed, and you will

then be left with nothing but regret.

Also, if anyone among you has a good intention,

let him act, otherwise that intention will be like a

cloud without rain.

If you do not have the opportunity to see the

Kaaba,26 the mosque should suffice for you.

---------- ∞ ----------

Sheikh Ibrahima–may Allāh grant him more

Blessings–said:

There are people who turned away from the

Awliyā' (Saints) and, therefore, from the benefits

25 Yawm al-Ākhir means “the Last Day,” Yawm al-Qiyāmah “the Day of Resurrection,” Yawm al-Hisābi “the Day of Reckoning,” Yawm ad-Dīn “the Day of Judgment, the Day of Recompense,” Yawm at-Tallāq “the Day of the Meeting,“ and al-Sā'ati “the Hour (of meeting Allāh)”. 26 The Kaaba (also written as Ka'ba or Ka'aba, literally: “Cube”) is the holiest place of Islam. It is located at the center of Masjid al-Haram (“The Sacred Mosque”) in Mecca. Its location determines the Qibla (direction of prayer). The Kaaba was built by Ibrahim (Abraham, RA) and his son Isma'il (Ismael, RA).

30

of Allāh, of which these Saints are the custodians–

people who, for the love of the pleasures of this

world, have consecrated themselves to acquiring

possessions such as fields and animals.

They turned away from the Truth and from

al-mawāzīna-l-qis'ta27 (the Scales of Justice) on

Yawm al-Ākhir (the Last Day), and are busy

satisfying the needs of their belly–something that

does not amount to any usefulness at the time

when the Angel extracts the soul, nor at the time

of burial, nor on Yawm al-Qiyāmah (the Day of

Resurrection), about which Allāh warns us in this

Ayah (Verse):

“The day when wealth and children will be of no

avail, except for the one who comes to Allāh with

a sound heart.” (Quran Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89)

They lost interest in spiritual remedies and in the

light that the guides could help them benefit

from, and they are indulging in women and

power, helped in this by Iblis28 (Satan).

27 Allāh says in the Quran, in Surah (Chapter) Al-Anbya (21:47): “And We will set up al-mawāzīna-l-qis'ta (Scales of Justice) on Yawm al-Qiyāmah (the Day of Resurrection), so that no soul will be wronged for anything.” The Scales of Justice are also referred to as “the Scale(s) of Deeds”. 28 Allāh created the Angels, Iblis (a fallen angel, also called Shaytan or in English, “Satan”), and the jinns (“genies,

31

They are addicted to money and are striving to be

rich or become worldly leaders, instead of

seeking Allāh’s Pleasure.

They have become isolated and settle for their

families, their neighbors, and talks in the

mosques, without making use of the guidance of

the guides.

While, if that would suffice, Allāh would not

have sent Prophet‑Messengers (AS), would not

have descended the Quran nor the Sunnah, and

would not have created al-Awliyā' (the Saints),

who are inspired people who guide those who

spirits, or demons”) from fire. Allāh says in the Quran in Surah (Chapter) Al-A'raf (7:11-18): “And certainly We created you, [O Mankind], then gave you [the human] form, then We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate before Adam,’ and they prostrated, except Iblis (Satan). He was not of those who prostrated. [Allāh] said: ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ [Iblis] said: ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and You created him from clay.’ [Allāh] said: ‘Then descend from here, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out, for indeed, you are of those who are disgraced.’ [Iblis] said, ‘Give me respite until the Day they are resurrected.’ [Allāh] said: ‘You are of those allowed respite.’ [Iblis] said: ‘Because You sent me astray, verily, I will sit in wait for them on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful.’ [Allāh] said: ‘Get out from this disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.’ “

32

hold on to reading the Books, as well as their

families and the other slaves [of Allāh] who

follow them.

Those Saints are beneficiaries of Allāh’s Pleasure,

like the Martyrs of Islam (RA)29 and as-Sahaba30

(the Companions, RA) of the Prophet (SAWS).

The people have lost interest in the sheikhs,

because they are ignorant of the usefulness those

sheikhs can have for them in their tombs.

Therefore, they indulge in women, diversion, and

food, thus letting go of the rope that attaches

them to the spiritual guides.

They fill themselves with drinks that, mixed with

food, turn into nothing but waste and bad smells.

They do not heed the recommendations of their

spiritual masters (i.e., their sheikhs) and do not

put themselves at their service.

Yet it is what they should do and what will be

useful tomorrow.

29 RA is an abbreviation of “radiya-llāhu 'anhu” (“may Allāh be pleased with him”). 30 As-Sahaba (the Companions) of the Prophet (SAWS) were the men and women from among the first generation of Muslims who kept him company and supported him.

33

They do not listen to preachers, nor to those who

give them advice and who want to help them

avoid loss tomorrow.

On the contrary, they prefer listening to the

sound of the flutes, the beating of the drums, and

the singing of the women and the carefree.

Thus do they not listen to the virtuous who have

morals and recommend the good and prohibit the

bad, but focus their attention on commercial

profits and foolish women.

They also avoid sitting down with righteous

Muslims and people of modest means.

And thus are they, while neglecting their tombs,

concerned with earthly goods that might become

an inheritance for their children, but will be of no

use for them on the Yawm ad-Dīn (Day of

Judgment), of which Allāh says:

“Allāh has purchased of the believers their lives

and their wealth [in order] that for them is

Paradise.” (Quran At-Tawbah 9:111)

34

Wa fi-l-hadith, salla-l-lāhu 'alayhi wa salām:

yā'ibādi

wa al-mālu mālī wa al-jannatu jannatī,

fa’athtarawa jannatī bi-mālī31

“And in a Hadīth,32 [the Prophet said]–may Allāh

bless him and grant him peace–[that Allāh said]:”

“O slaves: the money is My money and Paradise

is My Paradise, therefore, buy My Paradise with

My money!”33

31 The Arabic text of the second part of the phrase has been corrected to:

the last two words) ,المال مالي والجنة جنتي، فاشتروا جنتي بماليwere erroneously exchanged by the copyist of the Arabic version). 32 The Arabic word ḥadīth (pl. aḥādīth) literally means “talk” or “discourse”. Hadīths are records of the words, deeds, and silent approvals and disapprovals of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) that were reported by thousands of his contemporaries and during the centuries thereafter were collected in books. There are six major collections of Hadīths, two of them considered the most authentic: Sahīh Bukhāri (810-870 AD) and Sahīh Muslim (819-875 AD). 33 This Hadīth was reported by Ash-Shāfi'i and others, and mentioned in the book Targhīb wa-Tarhīb (Recommendations and Warnings) of Al-Mundiri (581-656 AH). Compare also with the end of the Ayah (Verse): “Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is

35

Therefore, dear brothers, beware of your families,

your neighbors, and those who come to build

friendly relationships with you, and who want to

use up the little provision you have for the

journey, while you were alone before you existed

and will go back to being alone, with neither

return nor companionship.

Nevertheless, your neighbors and your families

have rights on you, because Allāh recommended

you to educate your wives and families by urging

and warning them.

He also recommended you to maintain marital

fidelity, to comply with orders, and to be honest

Muslims.

Therefore, run away from sin as you would run

away from a lion or a snake.

the supreme success,” (Quran At-Tawbah 9:111), and the Tafsir (Exegesis) of Ibn Kathir: “Allāh states that He has compensated His believing servants for their lives and wealth–if they give those up for His Cause–with Paradise. This demonstrates Allāh’s Favor, Generosity, and Bounty, for He accepted the good, which He already owns and bestowed, as a price from His faithful servants. Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Qatadah commented: ‘By Allāh! Allāh has purchased them and raised their worth.’ Shimr bin 'Atiyyah said: ‘There is not a Muslim, but he has on his neck a bargain that he must conclude with Allāh; he either fulfills its terms or dies without doing that.’ He then recited this Ayah (9:111).”

36

Protect your families as if they were exposed to

an army or a burglar that wants to harass them

while they are unarmed.

Protect your families and yourselves from the

nightly conversations of young people.

Avoid trivial conversations in mosques and

safeguard your family members against

gatherings of people without morals, in the same

way you would safeguard your goats against

hyenas and wild beasts.

This duty to protect is mentioned in this Ayah

(Verse):

“Protect yourselves and your families from a

Fire...” (Quran At-Tahrim 66:6)34

And do not pay attention to merchandise or

bedouins,35 because the Omnipotent promises us

34 The complete Ayah (Verse) 66:6 is: “O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] Angels stern [and] severe, who disobey not the Commands they receive from Allāh, but do that which they are commanded.” 35 The word “merchandise” refers to merchandise that would suddenly appear, either brought by caravans passing by or, in Senegal, on the street, and to which everybody would run to see if they could get a bargain. The word “bedouins” refers to those who are hardened in their disbelief (see Note 37 below). The advice of Cheikh

37

something better than that in the following Ayah

(Verse):

“Say: ‘That which Allāh has is better than any

diversion or merchandise! And Allāh is the best

of providers,’ ” (Quran Al-Jumu'ah 62:11),36

...and the Omnipotent also says about this:

“The bedouins are the most hardened in disbelief

and hypocrisy...” (Quran At-Tawbah 9:97)37

Ibrahima is to not be distracted by potential bargains or by people who are hardened in their disbelief. 36 The complete Ayah (Verse) 62:11 is: “And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. Say: ‘That which Allāh has is better than any amusement or merchandise! And Allāh is the best of providers.’ ” Ibn Kathir explains: “So they rushed to the caravan and left Allāh’s Messenger (SAWS) standing on the minbar (pulpit). Only a few people remained, according to the authentic Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad, in which Jabir said: ‘Once, a caravan arrived at Medina while Allāh’s Messenger (SAWS) was giving a khutbah (sermon). So, the people left and only twelve men remained with the Messenger (SAWS). Then Allāh sent down this Ayah.’ “ 37 Al-a'rābu (the bedouins) were, in the times of Muhammad (SAWS), Arabs from the desert and in Senegal they were the habitants of the Sahara. The complete Ayah (Verse) 9:97 is: “The bedouins are the most hardened in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to not know the limits which Allāh has revealed to His Messenger. And Allāh is the All-Knowing and the All-Wise.” In the Tafsir (Exegesis) of Ibn Kathir: “Imam Ahmad related that Ibn 'Abbas said that the Messenger of Allāh (SAWS) said: ‘The one who lives in the desert becomes hard, the one who plays games becomes carefree, and the one who teams up

38

Therefore, watch out for them, like you watch out

for a snake, a well, fire, or a cannon.

And make it your habit to worship Allāh and His

Prophet (SAWS), in the same way you made it a

habit for your mouth to enjoy a smoke, food, and

drinks.

And occupy yourself with what they (i.e., Allāh

and His Prophet) ordained you, for that is what

you need to perfect yourself and obtain Salvation.

And draw your family members toward the Lord

and His Prophet (SAWS) and toward praying,

fasting, and charity, after having cultivated in

them imān (belief, faith) and...

...al-yaqin al-wa'd w-al-wa'īd

“...al-yaqin (the certainty) of al-wa'd w-al-wa'īd

(the Promise and the Threat).”38

with leaders falls into fitnah (tribulation).’ Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadīth.”

38 Al-wa'd w-al wa'īd ِِِوالوعِيد the Promise and the) الوَعْدِِThreat) is one of the five principles of the Mu'tazili doctrine, as defined by Abū al-Hudhayl (d. 841 AD), which are: tawhīd (belief in the Oneness of Allāh), 'adl (belief in the Justice of Allāh), al-wa'd w-al wa'īd (belief in the Promise [of Reward] and the Threat [of Punishment] of Allāh), al-manzila bayna al-manzilatayn (an intermediate position concerning the Muslim sinner), and al-amr

39

Wa kun qā'ma bayna yamīn wa shimāl fī 'amr

wa

“And stay upright between right and left [i.e.,

wrong] in an affair and...”

nahā law arāda bihimā al'adhā liwāhidīn lā

taqbal dhālika

“... prohibit it if they would want by that to do

wrong toward the One; do not accept it and...”

wa aqdimhum ilā rassūl-Allāh fi amwālihim.

“... bring them near to the Messenger of Allâh

(SAWS) in their wealth.”

Intervene for people and mobilize them on the

Way of Allāh and His Prophet (SAWS).

Hook yourselves up to a Wa'li (Saint), because

the Awliyā' (Saints) are the heirs of the Prophet

bi-l-ma'rūf wa-l-nahy 'an al-munkar (commanding the right and forbidding the wrong). Also addressed in Al-Qasd w-al-rujū' ilā Allāh de Muhāsibī (d. 857 AD): “The Threat of Punishment and the Promise of Reward should arouse in the heart a genuine need for repentance.”

40

(SAWS), and be Muslims, as this Ayah (Verse)

ordains it:

“Allāh has chosen for you the religion, so do not

die except as Muslims.” (Quran Al-Baqarah

2:132)39

Prepare yourselves to undertake the journey in

search for a sheikh, so that you can hold on to the

rope that leads to as-Sirāta-l-Mustaqīma (the

Straight Path),40 for even if you do not want to be

away from your homes, be sure that one day you

will be taken out of them to go to your tombs.

Always keep in mind this Ayah (Verse) of the

Quran, which says:

“[This is the Book about which there is no doubt,]

a guidance for al-muttaqīn (those who fear

Allāh), who believe in the unseen and perform

prayer, and spend [in charity] out of what We

39 The complete Ayah (Verse) (2:132) is: “And Ibrahim (Abraham) enjoined this [submission to Allāh] upon his sons and [so did] Ya'qub (Jacob), [saying]: "O my sons, indeed, Allāh has chosen for you the religion, so do not die except as Muslims.” 40 The Arabic term for “the Straight Path” (or the “Straight Way”) is as-Sirāta-l-Mustaqīma. Surah (Chapter) Al-Fatiha (The Opening), in which as-Sirāta-l-Mustaqīma is mentioned, is a supplication to Allāh to guide us to (and on) the Straight Path, and has been called by scholars a herald of as-Sirāt, the hair thin bridge overlooking Hell that everyone who wants to enter Paradise must pass on the Day of Judgment.

41

have provided them with.” (Quran Al-Baqarah

2:2-3)

It is your task to follow the sheikh wherever he

has arrived [i.e., his rank], for that is better than to

be deprived of him, according to the Words of the

Exalted:

“... We raised some of them above others in

ranks,” (Quran Az-Zukhruf 43:32),

...and his Words:

“... and [We] have preferred them above many [of

those whom We have created]...” (Quran Al-Isra

17:70),

... so that he may intercede for you regarding

your wrongdoings.

Indeed, if you do not leave your homes for Allāh,

you will do it for women, diversion, and money,

or else you will be forced to do so because you

are hungry, need clothes, or need to relieve

yourself.

Let your families therefore not hinder you in

looking after Allāh, the Most Merciful, because

when the time will have come, He will look after

42

you and you will not be able to find among your

families anyone who can safeguard you against

the Decrees of Allāh such as death, blindness,

illness, and disability, and even less, someone

who can save you from Hell and its torments.

Besides, no one can intercede for another person

without the Authorization of Allāh.

Therefore, if you choose to seek solace in the

companionship of your families and neighbors,

you risk finding yourself one day all alone with

your sins, and you will not see anyone who can

intercede in your favor.

Always keep in mind that people are more

inclined to encourage you to commit sin than to

recommend you Allāh, and more inclined to turn

you away from Allāh than to turn you away from

diversion.

They encourage you to be stingy and advise you

to put your money into savings, the fate of which

after death is to become an inheritance for the

widows and orphans.

If you follow such advice you will regret it in

your tombs, because such money will have been

of no use to you.

43

Unfortunately, people never advise you to spend

the money from your commerce in the Way of

Allāh.

A refusal to spend it in such a way will surely

make families and neighbors happy, who feel safe

and dream of a plush life that lasts eternally.

Those same families and neighbors cry and grieve

when you proudly head for Allāh and make

sacrifices for His Glory.

Yet they do not cry over the fate of sinners and

those who indulge in pleasures.

They do not take offense if you brag, but if you

humble yourself and weep for fear of Allāh, they

reproach you for it and run away from you.

Yet if you do not dedicate your resources to the

service of Allāh and only for Him, you will find

yourselves all alone in your tombs one day.

Know by the way that you can only obtain the

Glory of Allāh after having humbled yourselves

for Him, and that after death you will find back in

the form of precious rewards everything that you

sacrificed in the Way of Allāh.

Therefore, do not wear out the Favors of Allāh

and then commit yourself to other things.

44

Commit yourself to Allāh and put your resources

at the service of Allāh.

Dedicate to Him what is most precious of what

you have and not what is least valuable of what

you have–that is a means to arrive near Him.

In reality, you can only enjoy the Consolation of

Allāh if you gave up other [forms of] consolation

because of Him, only enjoy His Happiness if you

gave up other [forms of] happiness because of

Him, only attain His Splendor if you gave up

other [forms of] splendor because of Him, and

only have a celestial Family if you gave up your

families because of Him.

In the same manner, you cannot receive children

or money from Allāh without consenting to the

same sacrifice, and you will only obtain an eternal

home in the Hereafter after having expanded

your homes in this world solely for the Wajh

(Face) of Allāh, Al-Karīm (the Most Generous).

---------- ∞ ----------

The righteous and enlightened Sheikh, sayyiduna

(our master) Ibrahima [Fall] bin (son of)

Muhammad bin (son of) Ahmed–radiya-llāhu

'anhum (may Allāh be pleased with them)–also

said:

45

يا أخي واجعل وجود الله مالالك بلا حشر المال لنفسك

“O, my brother! And make the Wujūd41

(Presence) of Allāh your wealth, without

hoarding money for yourself.”

تنََلْ غنى غير رميم و اجعل سترن بنَا لِبَا سالكّ

“Gain non-perishable riches, and I will make sure

that you will have victory through me in a fair

manner, without obstacles.”

خير الك لا التقوى لبان و تعالى لقوله حرُن غيرَ لِباسا تنََلْ

“Make non-obstinacy against the Words of the

Exalted and al-taqwa (righteousness) your garment,

otherwise you will not be led to the best.”

جعل طعامك و شرابك جوعاتنل شدةّ الا نوارو

41 Wujūd is generally translated as “presence,” “existence,” “being there.” In Fusūs al-hikam (Bezels of Wisdom), Ibn Arabi (1165-1240 AD), says: “...wujūd is the unknowable and inaccessible base of all that exists. Allāh alone is the real Wujūd, while all things remain in non-existence... Wujūd is the absolute, infinite, and unlimited reality of Allāh, while all other realities remain relative, finite, and limited.”

46

“And take your food and drinks when you are

hungry–that will intensify the light.”

و اخلص القلب بالصوم و اجعل شواغله النِّك

“And purify your heart through abstinence and I

will make sure that I moderate its concerns for you.”

و الفكة فبدلّ بستانك و فراشك مقيل المسجد

“And make the mosque your place of rest, so that

it will replace your garden and your bed.”

و قيَامَ اليَْلِ اذا الناس قد رقد والقول لله تعالى

“And get up when the people are sleeping,

about which Allāh, the Exalted, says:”

“Their flanks forsake their beds...” (Quran

As-Sajdah 32:16)42

42 The complete Ayah (Verse) 16 of Surah (Chapter) As-Sajdah is: “Their flanks forsake their beds to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from that We have bestowed on them.”

47

And Allāh, the Exalted, says:

“...crops from which their cattle eat and [they]

themselves? Then do they not see?” (Quran

As-Sajdah 32:27)

In reality, man is only virtuous to the extent that

he fears his Lord.

On the other hand, one should not honor a man

but to the extent that he glorifies his Lord,

because to undervalue the One Who gives a thing

is to undervalue the thing itself.

The learned and enlightened poet43 says about this:

“Whoever stays with a privileged person stands

out without a doubt.”

43 That poet is Ibn Arabi (1165-1240 AD), author of 846 presumed works (see also Note 41 on page 44). He is more known for his prose than for his poetry, but has nevertheless left a substantial poetic oeuvre. His two most known works are Futūhāt al-makkiyya (The Meccan Illuminations) and Fusūs al-hikam (Bezels of Wisdom).

48

And the dog of the “People of the Cave”44 is a

witness mentioned by all ulemas (savants).

Whoever who sacrifices his homes and

furnishings will, without a doubt, be honored,

and whoever sacrifices a small possession will

only receive the equivalent of that sacrifice.

O, brother! Do you not know that millet and

water are foods that are also intended for the

poor, as this Ayah (Verse) recommends it:

“And they feed [with] the food, in spite of [their]

44 Surah (Chapter) Al-Kahf (Quran, 18:9-26) tells the story of the “People of the Cave,” a group of young, saintly Christians who are also called “The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus” in a Christian legend. Due to the oppression by Emperor Decius they had to take refuge in a cave, where they fell asleep and only woke up a few centuries later. Their dog refused to leave them when they went into the cave and stayed with them the whole time, “his legs elongated at the entrance,” and is always counted as one of them in Surah Al-Kahf–no matter what their number is. In Manāqab al-'ārefīn (The Feats of the Knowers of Allāh), Shams al-Dīn Ahmad Aflākī says: “Qetmīr: the dog of the Seven Sleepers... When they left their cave, the era of persecution had ended. Their dog had evolved and acquired certain virtues due to its companionship with those saintly men. The transformation illustrates the positive effect of staying with spiritually distinguished men.”

49

love for it, the poor, the orphans, and the

captives,” (Quran Al-Insan 76:8)?

Such believers help the needy with their riches

and honor their women therewith.

O, Muslims! Do not be like the worldly rulers, the

disbelieving bedouins, or those who are only busy

with commerce, and meditate on these Words of

Allāh:

“Then is one who is a believer like one who is

defiantly disobedient? Not equal are

they.” (Quran As-Sajdah 32:18)

“And the Exalted also says:”

“Indeed, the noblest of you near Allāh is the most

righteous of you.” Quran Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Will you be like those who associate [partners to

Allāh], who run behind money all their life, from

their birth until their death, and who marry girl

after girl?

When a calamity or a wild beast snatches them

[i.e., the money and the girls] away from them,

they have nothing but regrets–regrets of the kind

50

“If [I had done] such and such..., if it were

not...”45

If you behave like that, you will bitterly regret

your proven ignorance of Allāh, the Creator and

Provider of Gifts.

Will you be like the greedy worldly rulers, who

amass goods and horses in an unjust way?

Or will you stay in a state of ignorance about

your own persons, and in a state of erring and

bewilderment?

Will you be like the merchants, who amass money

without worrying about savings for their tombs,

who do not fulfill their duties of prayer nor give

Zakat46 (legal alms), who refuse to give other forms

45 Abu Huraira reported that Allāh's Messenger (SAWS) said: “A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allāh than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, [but] cherish that which gives you benefit [in the Hereafter] and seek help from Allāh and do not lose heart, and if anything [in the form of trouble] comes to you, don’t say: ‘If I had done such and such...’ but say: ‘It was the Qadr (Decision) of Allāh and mā shā' (He willed it).’ And your ‘if’ opens [the door for] the works of Satan.” (Sahīh Muslim 2664) 46 Zakat, “legal alms-giving” (literally “that which purifies”) is the third pillar of Islam, after the Shahada (testimony) and the Salāh (prayer). Every year, every Muslim has the duty to give a certain percentage of his goods. The aim of Zakat is to purify from the love of

51

of charity, who do not spend their riches in

righteous deeds, and who neither think about what

Allāh, the Exalted, says about the doers of good:

“…those who perform prayer and give Zakat…”

(Quran Al-Ma'idah 5:55),

...nor about what He says:

“(…those who perform prayer) and spend [in

charity] from what We have provided them with.”

(Quran Al-Anfal 8:3)?

O, You who believe, know that giving advice is an

obligation for those gifted with intelligence.

Also, chant the praises of Allāh, your Creator and

Beneficent, and be not like those playing the

flutes or beating the drums or other devotees of

diversion, so that you do not forget Yawm

al-Qiyāmah (the Day of Resurrection).

Hasten to perform prayer, spend your nights in

devotion, spend your riches in righteous deeds,

gives alms to the poor, maintain marital fidelity,

and put yourself at the service of the Awliyā'

money, to heal from stinginess, and to put a break on greed. “The alms of Zakat are only for the poor, and the needy, and those who collect them, and for those whose hearts are inclined [to Islam], and for the [freeing of] captives, and for those in debt, and [those who fight] in the Way of Allāh, and for the [stranded] traveler; [thus it is] ordained by Allāh. And Allāh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran At-Tawbah 9:60)

52

(Saints) of Allāh, because the good deeds are

those that are centered around Allāh, His Prophet

(SAWS), and the Muslims.

Be energetic and generous in giving advice to the

people and have mercy on them–all this after

having ensured the purification of your bodies

and hearts, to perfect yourselves.

53

SERIES OF ADVICE TO MURĪDS

The Salvation of the Murīd lies within the

following six actions:

- having faith,

- being optimistic,

- being energetic in the devotion,

- spending (by sacrificing),

- being humble, and

- complying with the recommendations of the

sheikh.

If you follow this advice, you will draw the hearts

toward you.

To that, add these additional recommendations:

- never complain about your hardships, and

- abide scrupulously by what your sheikh chose

for you, whether it is in the Zāhir (the visible

world) or the Batin (the invisible world).

In other words, you should dedicate three things

to your actions for Allāh:

- your force,

- your riches, and

- your intelligence.

That will ensure your ascension toward Allāh, as

it is mentioned in this Ayah (Verse):

54

“And I did not create the jinns47 and mankind but

to worship Me.” (Quran Adh-Dhaiyat 51:56)

O, you Muslim who sows, do not confuse heavy

soil with plain land nor the sea with a

watering-place and do not confuse a spring with

a well.

Whoever exchanges eternal life for a life in this

world will have nothing but regrets, because

Allāh reminds us in this Ayah (Verse) that:

“…the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”

(Quran Al-A'la 87:17)

The door that leads from this world to the

Hereafter is open–do not obstruct it with money.

No longer make the following mistakes, such as

marveling at the women of this world just until

forgetting those of Paradise, and wasting your

forces on something other than Allāh.

47 See also Note 19 on page 24. In “The Gifts of the Everlasting without Beginning in the Life of Sheikh al-Khadīm,” Sheikh Muhammad al-Bashir Mbacke writes also: “Their danger is even more subtle than that of human beings, because they cause hallucinations, madness, and psychological crises, and also because of their capacity to assume different forms and act on the mind, especially the minds of practitioners of ascetic exercises. This capacity flows forth from their spiritual nature, which they have in common with the Angels.” (Translation: Akke Fall)

55

How can you take care of women and forget the

virgins of Paradise with their lovely faces–those

virgins who give off a fragrance that is more

pleasant than the finest perfumes, which are

musk and gray amber, who procure a pleasure

that does not wear out, who benefit from an

ever-increasing beauty that additionally stands

the test of time, who are not subject to aging or

fatigue, and who do not have any freckles or

other skin diseases, let alone shameful illnesses?

How do you want to undertake such a journey

without provisions, without luggage, without

even clothes, forgetting that tomorrow there will

be a Gathering?

That would be like the one who wants to grow

crops without a hoe, like the one who wants to

dig a well without a spade, or like the one who

wants to draw water from a well without a rope

or a bucket.

Therefore, keep in mind that a plant can only

grow when it is first planted and then watered,

but also that one can obtain Paradise only

through fear of Allāh and good deeds.

Any other attitude toward Allāh is a lack of

respect for Him.

56

Indeed, you cannot take a whale but from the

ocean and then you still have to fish it.

How do you expect to have breakfast tomorrow

when after dinner there is no more food left?

Likewise, how do you want to cook without

water or fire?

Whoever claims to do so is nothing more than a

donkey with both forelegs tied together!

Anyway, how do you want to be grateful to the

Prophet (SAWS), his Sahabah48 (Companions),

his descendants,49 [his Khalīfa50 (Caliphs)], and

48 The Sahabah were the Companions of the Prophet (SAWS) who accompanied and supported him, and who were among the first men and women to become Muslims. The most illustrious of them were Abu Bakr (As-Siddīq, the truthful one), Omar ibn Al-Khattāb, Uthman bin Affan, and 'Ali ibn Abi Tālib, who were also the first four Khalīfa (Caliphs) after Muhammad’s (SAWS) death. 49 The term “descendants of the Prophet (SAWS)” or ahl al-bayt (literally “the people of the house(hold)”) refers to the family of the Prophet (SAWS). They are Muhammad (SAWS) himself, his daughters Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima; and his cousin and son-in-law 'Ali and their two sons, Husayn and Hasan. The term may be extended to include Muhammad’s (SAWS) paternal uncles Abu Tālib and al-'Abbas or, according to Malik ibn Anas and Abu Hanifa, all members of Banu (tribe of) Hashim. 50 The Khalīfa (Caliphs) were Muhammad’s (SAWS) successors, notably the first four Caliphs, also called al-Khulafā Rāshidūna (the Rightly Guided Caliphs),

57

the heirs of his Knowledge,51 without being

grateful to your sheikh and guarantor?

Meditate, therefore, on this Ayah (Verse):

“[Wait for us!] Let us get something from your

light! It will be said: "Go back behind you [and

seek a light!]"52 (Quran Al-Hadid 57:13)

Indeed, whoever turns away from Allāh after

having received His Blessings will regret it, for he

exchanged good for bad.

And that is how you should assess the fact of

turning away from the Awliyā' (Saints).

Therefore, if you are intelligent and thoughtful,

do not ignore the Awliyā' (Saints), because

although you are not able to put yourself at the

which were Abu Bakr, Omar ibn Al-Khattāb, Uthman bin Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Tālib. 51 “The heirs of his Knowledge” are the Sufis. 52 The complete Ayah (Verse) and the one preceding it are: “The Day when you see the believing men and women, their lights running before them and on their right. [It will be said:] ‘Glad tidings for you this day! Gardens under which rivers flow, wherein you will abide forever. Truly, this is the great success!’ The Day when the hypocrites, men and women, will say to the believers: ‘Wait for us! Let us get something from your light!’ It will be said: ‘Go back behind you and seek a light!’ Then a wall will be placed between them, with a door therein, on the inside of which is mercy, but in front of its exterior is the punishment.” (Quran Al-Hadid 57:12-13)

58

service of the Prophet (SAWS), you have the

chance to put yourself at the service of the

Awliyā' (Saints).

And how can a debt be redeemed if the debtor

dies at the moment he wants to pay off the

debt?53

Allāh established prayer solely to enable you to

repent and humble yourselves, and fasting solely

to enable you to discipline your seven sensory

organs.

Allāh asks you to sacrifice your riches for His

Glory and to serve the Prophet (SAWS), [his

Sahabah (Companions)], his descendants, his

Khalīfa (Caliphs), and the heirs of his

Knowledge.

Yet some do not comply and head to the

disbelievers and the worldly rulers, who are at

the opposite end of those mentioned above, just

like water and fire are opposites.

53 The phrase “... how can a debt be redeemed...” refers to the previous sentence “... you have the opportunity to put yourself at the service of...” In other words: You are advised to do so now, before you die.

59

They are enemies of the Prophet Muhammad

(SAWS), who incarnates Purity and who is the

Chosen one of Allāh.

Therefore, dear brothers, consider [making]

sacrifices and devoting [yourselves], and ponder

over these obvious facts: every well that is dug

can become a source, and a small modd54 can

become 60 or more valuable modd.

One simple ewe can bring about a large flock.

One palm seed can be at the origin of a large

quantity of dates.

One single savant can educate a lot of disciples.

One single ember can cause a big fire.

One seed is an amount that a single person can

carry, but that can be at the root of an abundant

harvest that is heavy to carry for a group of

people.

You can guess the rest according to these

examples.

54 The modd is a measure for quantity that was adopted by the Prophet (SAWS). One modd is equal to the amount of grain a man can hold in two hands with the hands open and joined together.

60

How do you want to obtain the Hereafter without

resorting to the Prophet (SAWS) or a spiritual

guide?

How can someone who waited for the night to

fall before starting to walk catch up with someone

who got up early in the morning, especially if he

cannot follow clear footsteps and has no travel

provisions with him and no one to guide him?

If you do not have the chance to be a

contemporary of the Prophet (SAWS) and you

refuse to go to a Wa'li (Saint), you risk

performing as-Salāh al-Fajr (the Prayer of Dawn)

at dusk, while the sun continues to rise in the East

and set in the West (and for those attached to

prayer there is no room for fruitless efforts).

If you do not have a camel to transport a load

then settle for a donkey, because in the end, all

animals come from Allāh.

You who are gifted with intelligence, do not

worry about the reproaches of the people, but

think about your state before birth and after

death, for you were in solitude and yet no one

complained about it, and you had no one but

Allāh to reassure you.

61

Know also that benefiting from a contemporary

Wa'li (Saint) is not comparable to abiding by the

prayer times.

In fact, if you miss the designated prayer time

you can make up for the prayer whenever you

want, while if the disc of the sun disappears in

the West, it becomes impossible to orient

yourself–that is, if that sun is the one in the sky

that we know, the one that appears between other

spheres and constellations.

The “sun of the earth,” on the other hand, comes

from Allāh and moves on the earth by the Will of

Allāh, and that sun is none other than the

spiritual guide.

Every sun is accompanied by stars, and the stars

of the “sun of the earth” are the Murīds, even if

that may surprise.

Know also that Allāh only said to Adam: “O

Adam! Live, you and your wife, in Paradise...”

(Quran Al-A'raf 7:19),

...to show him His Beneficences, so that he would

appreciate them, would be eager to have them,

62

and would indulge in the worship of Allāh–he

and his descendants.55

Indeed, Allāh only brought Adam into Paradise,

where one dwells eternally, because his foremost

calling was to worship Allāh.

In the same way, Allāh only created Hawa (Eve),

the beautiful, of the species of Adam to show him

three individuals.56

Thus is Adam faced with the duty to act, but with

the hope of reward and of an offspring to give

him solace–an offspring that can help him also in

his actions of worship of Allāh, which equates to

a difficult task.

55 Note that “he (Adam) and his descendants” designate “all of humanity.” 56 Those three individuals were Eve, Caïn, and Abel. Compare with the Quranic Verses An-Nisa 4:1: “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single person and created from him his wife, and from them both He created many men and women. And fear Allāh through Whom you ask one another, and (respect) the wombs (i.e., kinship). Surely, Allāh is over you All-Observant,” and Al-Ma'idah 5:27: “And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allāh] and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter]: ‘I will surely kill you.’ Said [the former]: ‘Indeed, Allāh only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].”

63

Know that a slave [of Allāh] cannot benefit from

the Blessings of Allāh but by his actions and his

mind, his acceptance of the Decrees of Allāh, his

patience in the actions he was created for–a

patience not interrupted by complaints–and his

refusal to criticize his sheikh, all the while

knowing that looking after his body and clothing

is useless, unless his goal is to purify his heart

and discipline his organs..

Also, make sure that you do not neglect your

ablutions and the purification of your bodies, and

that you cover their shameful parts.

Do not forget that the arms of the Muslim are:

- prayer and repentance,

- staying awake at night,

- heartfelt invocations at any given time,

- the disciplining of all organs, especially the

sensory organs,

- loyalty to relatives, because that procures a long

life,

- good deeds with regard to neighbors as much as

possible, and

- hope in Allāh, that is, hope in Allāh without

pessimism, because Allāh knows the state of your

souls.

Also, make sure that you do not tell everything

you see or hear, but rather look at your own

64

shortcomings and at what may harm you or make

you angry or sad.

Talk, therefore, less if you are one of those who

are thoughtful, and avoid acting in any way that

could do harm to your soul.

Always persevere and bear patience in the work

of perfecting the souls of the people and never, in

any case, mention the trials you endured in your

quest for Allāh.

Prepare yourselves for a journey with your

persons and your possessions toward the meeting

with Allāh.

Perhaps you will get there through the action He

appreciates and will you from then on be able to

benefit from His Help in your efforts to perfect

yourselves.

Your serenity might then return, after moments of

distress.

Put yourselves at the service of the Prophet

(SAWS), because the result of that is the

obtainment of abundant Blessings that ease the

pain and remove the endured fatigue, in the same

way clouds transform themselves into abundant,

life-giving rains.

65

ADVICE ON SOCIAL RELATIONS

It is recommended to every Muslim to maintain

good relationships with relatives57because, as

was mentioned in a Hadīth,58 that leads to good

health and expels certain ailments from the body,

and to not speak ill of them but help them in their

affairs that affect life as well as those that affect

the worship of Allāh because, as this Ayah

(Verse) teaches:

“The believers are but brothers, so make peace

between your brothers, and fear Allāh, that you

may receive mercy.”

(Quran Al-Hujurat 49:10)

A Muslim must also respect his neighbors and do

good to them, and avoid harming them or

undertaking reproachable actions against them,

speaking ill of them, slandering them, disturbing

57 Maintaining the bonds of kinship is called silat ar-raḥm in Arabic. The meaning of the word raḥm is “womb” (see Note 55 above). It is derived from the radical rā ḥā mīm, of which the derived verb form raḥima means “to have mercy.” 58 Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (SAWS) said: “Learn enough about your lineage to facilitate maintaining your ties of kinship. For indeed, maintaining the ties of kinship encourages affection among the relatives, increases wealth, and extends the lifespan.” (Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1979, Book 27, Hadith 85)

66

them, or being envious of the Gifts that Allāh

granted them.

He must also help them if they are in need, be it

alms or helping them repair their house, open his

door for them whenever they express their desire

for it, welcome them heartily when they pass by

to have a chat, give them advice, and, beyond

them, advise all other believers, because for the

righteous people giving advice is worth more

than Jihad (holy war).

A Muslim is furthermore required to be generous

to the poor and to orphans, to whom he also owes

respect and guidance, to have compassion for

slaves59 in the same way he feels that for his

wives and children, and to take care of them and

protect them, taking as a guideline the following

words of the Prophet (SAWS):

“You all are shepherds, and you all are

responsible for your flocks.”60

59 In 1905, the French colonial authorities formally abolished slavery in Senegal, but it continued to exist for decades afterward, because it was deeply rooted in the social structure of Senegalese society. 60 Narrated 'Abdallah Ibn 'Omar (RA): “The Prophet (SAWS) said: ‘You all are shepherds, and you all are responsible for your flocks. For the ruler who is over his people is a shepherd over them and he is responsible for them, and the man is a shepherd over the people of his house and he is responsible for them, and the woman is a

67

O you, Murīd, know therefore that all food is

bound to run out and that hunger and thirst

await you at every stage of your journey.

Therefore, the best provisions are:

- fear of Allāh, the Almighty,

- perfecting your lower self,

- refusing to keep yourself busy with the people

and their reproaches, and

- the courage to resist your body, knowing that it

hates distress,

because Allāh says to us:

“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is

hateful to you. But perhaps you dislike a thing

and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a

thing and it is bad for you. And Allāh knows,

while you know not.” (Quran Al-Baqarah 2:216)

Would you, perchance, be sure that Allāh wants

to harm you?

Or would you have another excuse?

Or do you want to rely on another than Allāh?

shepherd over her husband’s house and his offspring and she is responsible for them, and the slave is a shepherd over the money of his master and he is responsible for it. For you all are shepherds, and you all are responsible for your flocks.’ ” (Sahīh Bukhāri 5200, Sahīh Muslim 1829)

68

Do you want to watch over the riches created by

Allāh while you forget about the fighters of Allāh,

or would even chase them away?

How do you want to chase away thieves that

have not even arrived?

How do you want to persist in the quest for

riches?

How do you want to fix a thing before it has been

broken, tear down a building that has not been

built yet, or watch over something that does not

even exist?

Likewise, how do you want to have a preference

for the affairs of the people and neglect the affairs

of Allāh, which are imperishable?

How do you want to exit without having entered

first, or prohibit the use of a thing when you do

not even own it?

Finally, know that those who are chasing

enrichment will see that their corpses, with their

bones, arteries, veins, and enveloping skins, will

end up under the ground due to the events of life.

And if it were not for Allāh, how could those

corpses leave nothingness to live again?

So, where are your days and nights of happiness?

69

They have become nothing but evidence against

you.

Therefore, you who are passengers on a ship, do

not fill it up with stones and do not make the

quest for material riches your goal until you

forget to moor.

And never think that what you obtain comes

from someone other than Allāh, the Most

Generous.

Stop mistaking the earth for a horse, because a

horse will never mount on its rider, but the earth

will be above you one day.

Finally, you who are climbing a difficult tree, do

not stop too often, so that you do not compromise

your ascension.