SALAMU ALAIKUM, JUMA’MAH MUBARAK, AS A COINCIDENCE, WE HAPPENED TO BE IN
THE FIRST WEEK OF THE BIRTH MONTH OF MAULANA
SHEIKH IBRAHUM NIASS AND THIS WEEK IS THE THIRD WEEK SINCE WE STARTED
TRANSLATING AND SERIALIZING A GREAT ACADEMIC THESIS WRITTEN BY A NON TIJJANIYAH
STUDENT ABOUT HIM, TO OBTAIN HIS MASTERS DEGREE AT A UNIVERSITY IN LYBIYA. IT
WAS THEN PRESENTED TO ONE OF HIS SONS, SHEIKH MUHAMMADUL MAKY IBRAHIM NIASS BY
THE AUTHOR HIMSELF IN 2004. (AS HE AUTOGRAPHED IN HIS OWN HAND WRITING IN
ARABIC ON THE FRONT COVER BELOW). IT IS 308 PAGES. LAST WEEK, THE SECOND EXPERT
TOOK READERS THROUGH HIS BIRTH & GROWTH AND THIS WEEK WE WILL DWELL ON;
HIS INTELLECTUAL STATUS AND THE IMPACT HE MADE IN THE INTELLECTUAL WORLD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECOND:
HIS INTELLECTUAL STATUS:
Sheikh himself had stated that his greatest teacher of the Qur’an,
Islamic Knowledge and other areas of knowledge was his father(Alhaji Abdullahi
Niass), Sheikh preceded with fatwa and teaching the general public.Then he
started to gain popularity then and his name became widely spread. He attracted
many students willing to learn from him, including those seeking(ma'arifah)
divine knowledge from every corner.
So his deep and extensive knowledge, understanding, indepth studies, quality
of his memorization, his huge knowledge of vocabularies, had really helped him
to wield exceptional control and command over (the Arabic) words, as well as
divinely inspired talents which were being appreciated, and which had helped
him to achieve that.
Then students of his father, among them some of his brothers became his
students, while he was 22 years of age. That was after the death of his father
(Alhaji Abdullahi) in 1340 of the Hijrah calendar which was equivalent to 1922
of the Christian calendar.
He used to deliver Quranic Interpretation for his people's language
(Wollof) and with Arab (students) in Arabic. And perhaps the testimony of
Muhammad Abdullah bun Sayyid, one of his students in Murtania, would clarify
his high level in this domain. For he used to render Qur’anic exegesis with
other Qur’anic verses and Hadith. And he would neither repeat a story nor a
Hadith. He he would not pass by any verse without quenching the test of any
thirsty person [of knowledge], heal any sick [by suggestion verses that heals
ailments], and would extract every minute details [in terms of analysis for
their understanding]. He would come up with forms of expressions that he never
used in the previous lesson. He was the spot of public wonders and their appreciation
by virtue of what he was bringing out to them of wisdom, rules, amazing
meanings, moderations, mysteries and geological(and others) sciences.
And Sheikh Ibrahim has (many) intellectual instances, I will mention two
of them for example without restriction.
1- The great Intellectual Sheikh Sukairaj made a fatwa about the
permissibility of giving zakat with peanuts, and the school (of thought) of
Alhaji Abdullahi Niass were among those who do not agree with that(view). And
Sheikh Ibrahim - at that time - was working under the supervision of his senior
brother, the then Khalifah (of their father) Alhaji Muhammad. So he wrote his
book;
"إرشاد الساري في عدم وجوب الزكاة الهارين"
"GUIDANCE TO THE FARMERS CONCERNING NON OBLIGATION OF PAYING ZAKAT
WITH PEANUTS",
with the agreement of his brother.
So when Al- 'Allamah Sukairaj saw it and read about his courteous
[polite] objection, he left behind his fatwa and held on this one.
2- The World Muslim League in Saudi Arabia had approved the proposal by
the then mufti of the Royal Republic of Saudi Arabia by moving Maqamu Ibrahim
from its original place within the premises of the holy mosque in Makkah in the
name of expanding the tawaf or circumnavigation space. But Sheikh Ibrahim [when
they consulted him] had a view of maintaining it at its own place. So he
authored a book on this issue entitles;
"سبيل السلام في إبقاء المقام",
"WAY TO PEACE BY LEAVING THE MAQAM [IBRAHIM] (AT ITS PLACE)".
He stated his strong proofs and evidences through the Qur'an and Sunnah
as well as archaeological reasons. So his view became more convincing and then
the Maqamu [Ibrahim] was left in it place.
However, in regards to his intellectual level, it is manifested in the
various certificates that he had received from multiple places. That was when
he met many prominent and great scholars of his generation in different Islamic
countries, and he debated with each of them in many advanced intellectual
issues, and it was in this instance that they realized he had a thorough
[in-depth] knowledge in many different expertise. And his intellectual level is
so very high. So they gave him what they obtained for him of academic
certificates. And due to its huge numbers, i will mention only three of them:
(A)- Certificates from Sheikh Ahmed Sukairaj:
The biggest of them all for his publication entitles:
"قدم الرسوخ قيما لمؤلفه من الشيوخ"
"FIRM FOOT IN HIS PUBLICATION OF SOME SHIEKHS".
He has conferred on him a similar certificate conferred upon him by his
entire Sheikhs, and they estimated them to be about six hundred Sheikhs. And
that is through the means of imparting, understanding and narration. He was the
only one who had the honor of receiving this great permit or authorization.
(B)- His Certificate from the Custodian of SUNNAH Al-Sheikh Muhammad
Muhammad Abdul Hayyi Ibn Abil Makaarim Abdul Kabir Al- Husainy Al-Hassany
Al-Iddrisy Al-Katany:
It was narrated that he gave him the certificate with all that he had of
what were narrated, read and recorded[audios] and imagery, estimated about five
hundred of the same kind. In Far East and Middle East, Hejaz [ Makkah], Egypt,
Syria, Yemen and Iraq. And he donated to him all what he had of publications,
which were about two hundred. Same applies to the publications of his father,
brother, grandfather, uncle and the rest of what he had for their predecessors
of general absolute certificate, he would talk about them as he wills and to
whom he wishes.
(C) His certificate from Azhar through the scholar Abdallah bun
Al-Tayyib Al-Shafi'eyu.
He has donated him all what he had of certificates, about 20
certificates. The prominent of them all was the one that came from Sheikh Abdul
Rahman Al-Sharbainy Al-Shafi'ey Al-azhary, in hadith, athar, and [other]
branches and origins [of knowledge]. And what was comprehended and transmitted,
as he [was the last to] received it from the noble Imam and honorable leaders.
And it is clear to me through these three examples from the certificates
that were conferred on Sheikh that he was rejoicing with broad enlightenment
and deep knowledge in the religion. As well as his high level of knowledge. And
he was known with this from among some scholars of his era where he won their
trust. In addition to that is his publications in muti-dimentional fields. And
they will be stated in this section into details.
THIRD:
HIS SHEIKHS (SPIRITUAL MENTORS):
I stated previously that he had only one Sheikh, who was his father and
he never learnt under anyone after his father's death while he was in his prime
(younger age), but he relied upon himself in research and reading, by virtue of
the his high level of intelligence and divine gift of talent, delving into
numerous fields of knowledge and specialties of Sharia (Islamic Law),
Linguistics and the rest.
FOURTH:
HIS STUDENTS:
Many students invaded him and came to him from different African
countries to benefit from his knowledge and emulate his guidance. And some of
them are Asians and Europeans. Many of them were idol worshippers and
Christians before they met Sheikh. And there is no accurate statistics or
figures of his followers. Their number is just being estimated. Sheikh
(himself) estimated them in 1379(hijrah) at 20 million, most of them were non
believers, idol worshippers and Christians, then they get to know Allah (through
Sheikh) and (Allah) blessed them. However, the Egpytinan magazine, "آخر ساعة" ,
"LAST HOUR", had
estimated them to be over 30 million people(by then).
The means of communication between those students and Sheikh have
differed. Some of them communicated to him in "Madinah Baye", while
others in the midst of his trips and travels across the world. And for others,
their communication with him was through their muqadams [murids of Sheikh] and
his companions who had carried his da'awah [or propagation] to different
countries. So the number keeps on ceaselessly increasing day by day to what
Allah wills. And they had no motto differentiating them from others in terms of
virtual behavior. So there is neither abstinence nor isolation among them. And
their presence had been proven positively in the mosques, in the ju'amah
mosques, in the farms, in the schools, at the universities, in the markets,
among political parties, in parliaments, in governments, on the courts, at
factories and in the entire fields.
And Sheikh does not care about excessive number of students, but rather
for Allah to guide an individual or a group of individuals towards his truthful
religion through him or through someone. That was why trainers were understood
with sincerity in worship and sound belief, the belief of Ahlu-Sunnah and
Jama’ah, the love of the messenger of Allah [PBUH], excessive litany and
invocation of the Prophet [PBUH], zikir or remembrance of Allah, deep in the
night and in the day, good assumption with Allah and with his servants as well
as earning lawful means of livelihood without unemployment [through work].
Na’aeem Qaddah had described them saying: “There was a group of
followers of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass in Kaolack, and this group seek to spread
Islamic education [civilization], Arabic[Language] D’awah [Propagation] to
Islam a good pursuit.”
And a Moroccan newspaper has reported that, Sheikh has left behind him
competent men, holding the beacon [bonfire] of Da’awah in West Africa after it
would hold the burden of response against the machinations and intrigues that
enemies are knitting against Islam and Muslims.
And I see it expedient to bring up some prominent among his students
with their different field of specialties.
To be continued next Friday from............
خامسا: بعض الأعلام من
تلامذة الشيخ الإبراهيم نياس....
FIFTH: SOME OF THE GREAT INTELLECTUALS AMONG THE STUDENTS OF SHEIKH
IBRAHIM NIASS...........
Translated By: Hussseini Yushau BabalWaiz, New York
ENGLISH BOOKS BY/ON
SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASSE AND THE TIJANI TARIQAH (AVAILABLE FOR SALE)
1. Vessel of Spiritual Flood, Translation of Goran Faydah by
Shaykh Balarabe Haroon Jega - (Translated by Khalifah Awwal Baba Taofiq)
2. Rihlat Konakriyah (A trip to Conakry), Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse -
(Translated by Khalifah Awwal Baba Taofiq)
3. Shariah and Haqeeqah: In the Light of the Qur'an and the
Prophetic Traditions (Compiled by Khalifah Awwal Baba Taofiq)
4. The Icon of Mystics: Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse Al-Kawlakhy
(Compiled by Khalifah Awwal Baba Taofiq)
5. Kano Conferences (Majlis Kano) and the khutba titled (Hadiqat
al-Anwar fii ma ihtawa alayhi qawaaid al-Islam minal hikam wal asrar) -
(Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)
6. Katsina and Kaduna Conferences (Jadhbul ahbab ila hadrat Rabbil
arbab) and Mecca Conference - (Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)
7. A Brief Biography of the Shaykh al-Islam Ibrahim Niasse
(Compiled by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)
8. Risalat at-Tawbah (Epistle of Repentance) of Shaykh Ibrahim
Niyass al-Kawlakhi" – (Translation & Commentary by Dr. Razzaq
Solagberu)
9. Islamic Law of Inheritance, by Sayyid Ali ibn Abubakar
al-Muthanna ibn Abdullah Niasse (Translated by Dr. Sulaiman Shittu)
10. Muassasah Nasr al-'ilm Int. (AAII) Magazines No. 13, 14 &
15 (with Articles like Outline of Life of Sufi Heros & Heroines like
Shaikh Ibrahim Niasse, Shaikh Abdus-Salam Oniwiridi Pakata, Shaikh Muhammad Bello
Eleha, Shaikh Ahmad Rufa'i Nda Salati, and others...this magazines also features
other interesting Articles).
11. Numerous “English” Sufism & Tijaniyyah Tariqah E-books/Journals/Articles
(soft copies - to be sent via email)
12. Numerous “Arabic” Sufism & Tijaniyyah Tariqah
E-books/Journals/Articles (soft copies - to be sent via email)
To
order for copies, contact;
Call/Whatsapp:
+2348034656467
Email:
smilebak2004@gmail.com
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