On the 40 days of Shaykh Hassan Cisse (RA)'s passing on

FIRST AND FOREMOST!

CAREFULLY READ THESE WORDS OF ALLAH HIMSELF:

In the Name of Allah most Merciful Most Gracious

“Do not call those who are killed in the Way of Allah; Dead!

On the contrary they are Alive, but you are not aware of it”

(Surah al-Baqarah: 153-154)

“And Muhammad is but a Messenger (from Me), and other Messengers passed before him

Therefore, were he to die or be killed,

Would you then turn back on your heels (from his message)??

Indeed, those who turn on their heels do not harm Allah in any way

And Allah will recompensate the thankful ones!

No self can die except with Allah’s Permission”

(Surah Aal-Imran: 144-145)

“Do not suppose that those killed in the Way of Allah are Dead!

No indeed, they are Alive and well-provided for

in the Company of their Lord!

Delighting in the Favor that Allah has bestowed on them!

Rejoicing over those they left behind who have not yet joined them!

Feeling no fear and experiencing no sorrow!

Rejoicing in the Blessing and Favors of Allah!

And indeed, Allah does not let the wages of the Believers go to waste!”

(Surah Aal-Imran: 169-171)

“Every self shall taste Death!

And you will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection!

Indeed, the one who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, is the Winner!

The life of this dunya is just the enjoyment of delusion”

(Surah Aal-Imran: 185)

“So trust in the One who is Ever-Living and does not die!

And glorify Him with Praise!”

(Surah al-Furqan: 58)

SADAQ ALLAHU ’l-AZIM

Dear fellow brothers and sisters in this Tijani Path and the discipleship of Shaykh Hassan Cisse (RA):

As-Salam Alaykum Wa Rahmat-Allah,

It is now 40 days since the passing on of our Master and Guide Shaykh-al-Islam Imam Hassan Cisse (RA).

There is no doubt that his death has been the greatest loss for all of us disciples. Each one of us has shed tears of the eyes and the heart.

Indeed, Shaykh Hassan (RA) was the Spiritual Guide for millions of people from all races and all places. Countless people found their way back to their Creator through him.

It was a Maqam that Allah, Rasul (SAW) and the Shaykh al-Tijani (RA) had stationed him in.  Sahib al-Faydah Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) had himself appointed him as the future Imam of his people during his own lifetime.

Indeed, by the time he passed away, he was the most loved, most influential and most active leader of the blessed Tariqah Tijaniyyah in the entire world

I had the honor of viewing the video of his Funeral in Medina-Baye Kaolack. 2 Million People attended it. Among those who especially attended it were the noble grandsons of Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RA), and various great Masters of the Tijaniyyah, such as Sharif Ibrahim Salih al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Nigeria, Shehu Tahir Bauchi, Shaykh Salisu Shaban…etc.

Since Shaykh Hassan (RA) has passed on, many brothers have been asking me the big question: WHAT NOW???

What do we Talibes do? Must we renew our Bay’ah with someone? Or What?

In reply to all such questions, I state in the Name of Allah:

Do note that our Master of Masters, al-Qutb al-Maktum Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA) was once asked by a murid that if the condition of “Not visiting any Wali but him” will apply after his death as well?

 Sayyidina Shaykh al-Tijani (RA) replied with these powerful words:

“I DONT DIE أنا لا أموت”

So the people of Allah are forever alive in Him.

Shaykh Hassan's spirituality will continue to guide us, as it did when he was still in his body.

The Tarbiyah (spiritual training) in this Tariqah is based on our Zikrs and the Ruhaniyyah (spiritual influence) of Rasul-Allah (SAW) and Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RA).

It has nothing to do with anyone’s life or death. That is just a delusion.

Indeed, I know of some students of Shaykh Hassan (RA) who experienced great futuhat (openings) just on the day he passed away and after it!

So, he is only dead for those who think he is dead. For the people of Spirit, he is still alive and with us always. So let us be with him also!

Also remember that the Shaykh (RA) was not just a normal human, but a Divinely appointed Qudwah (EXAMPLE) for us.

So, while his body has disappeared, his EXAMPLE is still there. That is his inheritance that we must safeguard and multiply. We must continue to walk on his footsteps. We must continue to work hard in serving Islam and Tariqah. We must continue serving the Talibes and mankind in general.

Also remember that while we must love Allah's Manifestations; however, it is the Essence (Dhat) of Allah that we must worship, ultimately.

The Christians and Idol-worshippers went astray because of worshipping Allah's Manifestation rather than His ETERNAL BEING.

That is what Khalifah of the Prophet (SAW), Sayyidna Abu-Bakr (RA) meant when he announced to the Sahabah after the passing on of the Prophet (SAW):

"O People! Those of you who worship Muhammad (SAW) should know that Muhammad (SAW) has died!

But those of you who worship Allah should know that Allah is forever Alive and never dies".

Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) also urged us to be the true slaves of the Eternal Essence Allah. Pointing to his own maqam in this, he stated:

تجلى لي المحبوب حقا وقال لي  =  أبرهام عبد الذات فادخل لحضرتي

The Beloved (i.e. Allah) manifested Himself to me truly and said

O Barham - Slave of My Being - Enter my Presence!

Therefore, we must not become too attached to a temporary Manifestation and forget our slavehood to the Eternal Essence of ALLAH.

Now as far as renewing our Bay'ah is concerned.

Well, in the Tariqah Tijaniyyah, renewal of the Bay'ah is only necessary if one breaks the conditions of the Tariqah.

Sidna Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA) stated:

"Three things cut off the Murid from us:

1-To take another Tariqah with our Tariqah

2-To visit the (non-Tijani) Awliya (to gain spirituality)

3- Abandoning the Wirds totally

(End of quote)

 Therefore, if we have not done any of that, it is not necessary for us to renew the Bay'ah. Technically speaking, we remain full Tijanis, body and spirit.

Do remember that Shaykh Hassan (RA) gave us the Bay’ah on behalf of Sayyidna Rasul-Allah (SAW). He initiated us into the discipleship of the Prophet (SAW), not his own discipleship. Therefore, if we are upholding the duties and conditions of this Muhammadan Tariqah, then we remain the disciples of the Prophet (SAW). Shaykh Hassan’s passing away does not nullify it.

No one ever said that the death of your Muqaddam nullifies your Bay’ah. It remains valid forever.

Indeed, the great Arif-Billah, Sidi Ahmad al-Abdalawi (RA), one of the men of our Chain, would consider it forbidden to renew the Bay’ah for any reason unless one had left the Tariqah. Why should one renew his Wudu when he still has a valid Wudu?

However, if a certain murid feels certain incompleteness and that he needs physical guidance from a living Shaykh (which is not always necessary in the Tijani Tariqah), then the murid may renew his Bay'ah with any reliable Tijani Muqaddam or Khalifah, especially the successor of his previous Master. This is moreso when one has not completed their Tarbiyah.

In Shaykh Hassan's case, people may renew the pledge with Shaykh al-Tijani Cisse (the New Imam), Shaykh Muhammad al-Mahy (his brother) or any other renowned muqaddam of Shaykh.

Of course, even if one decides not to renew the Bay’ah with anyone immediately, one must still submit to the Khalifahs of this Tariqah and be obedient to them.

As Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) said in the Ruh-al-Adab, explaining the Adab we must have with all Tijanis:

معظما أهله جميعا

لا سيما الخاصة كن مطيعا

Mu’azziman Ahlahu Jami’a

La Siyyama ’l-Khassata Kun Muti’a

So honor all it’s People

And be obedient to the Special Ones!

For example, students of Shaykh Hassan (RA) must remain obedient to people like Shaykh Tijani Cisse and Shaykh Mahy, as they carry the Secret of Shaykh Hassan (RA) and are his successors. Only a fool will refuse to benefit from them.

One must also continue to consult with one’s personal Muqaddam, other Senior Muqaddams and even fellow students. Indeed, the Shaykh can speak through anyone of them. The Adab must be maintained with all.

Nonetheless, to renew the actual Bay’ah will remain a matter of personal choice and feeling. One is not obliged to do that. One remains a disciple of Shaykh forever.

Some people rely in these matters on dreams and visions. However, we should note that a valid dream/vision is only binding on the person who saw it (as long as it doesn’t contradict the Shari’ah). However, that person cannot oblige and force all Talibes to follow his dream/vision. That is unacceptable behavior.

A Tijani must never forget, that in reality, Sayyidna Rasul-Allah (SAW) is our ‘living Shaykh’ in this Tariqah, and he himself promised our Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA) that:

"Your Disciples are my Disciples...and I am their Shaykh and Guide".

Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RA) is his only eternal Lieutenant. And he stated to some disciples who were arguing about their muqaddams:

“Those who know me; know me only!!!”

As the Khalifah of the Our Master, the Qutb Sidi Ali al-Tamasini (RA) said:

“If you wish to know, then know Shaykh Ahmad Tijani

If you wish to love, then love Shaykh Ahmad Tijani

And if you wish to talk, then talk about Shaykh Ahmad Tijani”

Indeed, last year, Shaykh Hassan (RA) took his muqaddams to Fez and personally handed them over to Shaykhna Ahmad al-Tijani (RA).

That itself was a sign of maturity, and a sign of Shaykh's departure.

Shaykh Hassan (RA) was our means to approach Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RA), and he took us to him, al-Humdulillah!

And now, we should become the means through whom people will reach Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RA), who is the greatest Door to the Prophet (SAW), who is the Only Door to the Presence of ALLAH (SWT).

After the father dies; the children become adults and must take over the affairs of their father.

Indeed, whoever takes this Ahmadi Muhammadi Tijani Tariqah once in his lifetime and practices it properly, MUST reach his station in Sainthood and Ma'rifah-Bi'Llah.

Wallahi Thumma Wallahi Thumma Wallahi!

The Salat-ul-Fatih alone can train the seeker! And in such a powerful way that even Shaykhs in other turuq cannot.

Indeed, a day before he passed away, Shaykh Hassan said to his people:

“I leave you in the pocket of the Shaykh Ibrahim”!

 Al-Humduli’Llah! We are in good hands……if we only knew.

The Faydah of the Khatam al-Awliya will continue to flow until the end of times when the Imam al-Mahdi (AS) will take this Tariqah too, as predicted.

The Lights of Shaykh Hassan (RA) are shining in all his disciples. His Face is seen in all of them. The seeds he planted will blossom now.

May Allah keep us steadfast on the Path shown to us by Mawlana al-Qutb Imam Hassan Cisse (RA) which is none other than the Path of Sahib al-Faydah Ibrahima Niasse (RA), which is the Essential Path of the Seal of Muhammadan Sainthood Sidina Ahmad al-Tijani (RA) who walked step by step on the Path of the Best of Creation Sayyidina MUHAMMAD (SAW) who is the greatest SIGN FROM ALLAH AND TO ALLAH, to Whom we shall all return.

Was-Salam,

Servant of the Tijani Door,

Fakhruddin Owaisi Cisse (September 2008)