Tijaniyyah

The Tijaniyyah is a major Sufi order within Sunni Islam.

A Sufi order, or tariqa, is a specific spiritual path followed by Muslims. This order is named after its founder, Ahmad al-Tijani. He was born in Aïn Madhi, Algeria, and studied in Mostaganem. He established the order in the 1780s at the Boussemghoun oasis. Today, the Tijaniyyah is one of the largest Sufi orders in West Africa. It has spread to many different countries and cultures.

To become a member, a person must follow a specific process. An individual, known as a murid, must receive instruction from a muqaddam. A muqaddam is a representative of the order. The new member receives the Tijānī wird, which is a sequence of holy phrases. These phrases are repeated twice every day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This ritual usually takes ten to fifteen minutes. Members must also follow the Five Pillars of Islam and respect their parents. They are also expected not to follow any other Sufi order.

Members participate in several different types of communal chanting and prayer. One common practice is the wazifah, which is a formula chanted as a group. This often takes place at a mosque or a religious center called a zāwiya. Another practice is the Haylalat al-Jum'ah, which is chanted on Friday afternoons. Disciples also organize meetings to engage in dhikr Allāh, or the remembrance of God. During these meetings, they might recite poems praising God or religious leaders. Sometimes, groups called daayira organize conferences to discuss religious obligations or the nature of God.

The history of the order is marked by rapid expansion across Africa. Around 1789, the order reached southern Mauritania through the 'Idaw 'Ali tribe. This tribe was known for its many Islamic scholars. A leader named Umar Tall later helped spread the order through much of the Western Sudan. He was appointed Caliph for all of Western sub-Saharan Africa. Umar Tall also led a holy war that resulted in the Toucouleur Empire. Although this empire was fleeting, it helped spread the Tijānī order through Senegal, Guinea, and Mali.

In Senegal, the order grew through several influential leaders and branches. Malick Sy founded a religious center in Tivaouane in 1902. This center became a major hub for Islamic education and culture. After his death in 1922, his son Ababacar Sy became the first Caliph. Another significant figure was Abdoulaye Niass, who established a zāwiya in Kaolack. His son, Ibrahim Niass, founded the Tijāniyyah Ibrāhīmiyyah branch in 1930. This branch, also called the Faydah or "Flood," is now the largest and most visible branch worldwide.

The Tijaniyyah is now found in many different parts of the world. It is very concentrated in Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, and Mauritania. However, it also has a growing presence in the United States and Europe. The order has even reached India, with followers in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. In Mali, the Ḥamāliyya branch is centered in Nioro. These various branches and locations show how the order has become a global movement.

The most important communal event for the Tijānī is the Mawlid. This is the celebration of the birth of Muhammad. In Senegal, the Wolof people often call this festival the Gàmmu. The event falls on the night of the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabīʿ al-'Awwal. Large religious centers organize massive events that attract hundreds of thousands of disciples. These celebrations often last from midnight until shortly after dawn. They include many hours of dhikr, poetry chanting, and speeches about the life of Muhammad.