Saturday, 15 August 2020

 THE DIWANS OF SHAYKH-AL-ISLAM IBRAHIM NIASSE (RA)

By: Imam Fakhruddin Owaisi (South Africa)


 

Introduction:

 

A Diwan is a collection of poems that end or start with all or most letters of the Arabic alphabet. Arab poets have composed Diwans from time immemorial.

 

The Diwans of our grand-master Mawlana Shaykh al-Islam Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) are considered amongst the best, most eloquent and most in-depth poetry ever composed in praise (Madih) of the Best of Creation, our master Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (SAW).

 

Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) himself called these Diwans “The fruit of my life”. For the joy of his life was to praise the beloved Prophet (SAW):

 

رأيت  ثناء  الهاشمي  تلذذي  *   و نعم ملاذي في الخطوب و منقذي

Praising the Hashemite (Prophet) is my enjoyment

And it is my best refuge and saviour in all difficulties

 

Indeed, it was the legacy he wanted to leave behind as he stated in the last poem of Madih he composed:

 

ثقافة إبراهيم و العلم كله       *    مديح الإمام الهاشمي و فضله

The legacy of Ibrahim and all knowledge in fact…

Is to praise the Hashemite Master and recognize his greatness!

 

Over a span of 50 years (approx. 1925-1975), Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) composed 11 Diwans in praise of the Prophet (SAW), with a total of 295 poems and thousands of couplets. He further composed 2 Diwans in praise of the Seal of the Saints Mawlana Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA), a Diwan in praise of his own teachers and shaykhs, a Diwan in Tawassul through the Surahs of the Holy Qur’an, and a Diwan containing advices for seekers (which includes the famous poem Ruh al-Adab as well). The grand total is 16 Diwans. And there are many poems and poetic compositions found outside of these Diwans as well.

 

These Diwans were composed by Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) in Senegal, Madinah, and throughout the different lands he journeyed to and from. In fact, he (RA) was proud of the fact that he even composed his Madih poetry in the skies, on a plane:

 

أخاطبه بالشعر و القلم الذي     *    يقرب أقصى ما أكن مترجما

I address him with my poetry and my pen

That expresses best my deepest feelings

 

ببر و بحر قد بعثت مدائحي و     *   ذا اليوم أشدوا في الهوا متجمجما

On land and on sea, I have spread my praises

And today I sing them in the air!



Details of the Diwans:

 

Herewith are the names of the 11 Diwans in praise of the Best of Creation (SAW):

 

1- Taysir al-Wusul ila Hadrat al-Rasul (Easing the Access to the Presence of the Messenger).

 

2- Iksir al-Sa’adat fi Mad’hi Sayyid al-Sadat (The Elixir of Joys in praise of the Master of Masters).

 

3- Salwat al-Shujun fi Mad’hi al-Nabi al-Ma’mun (Consoling the Sorrows by the praise of the Trusted Prophet).

 

4- Al-‘Urwat al-Wuthqa fi al-Istighathah bi-Sayyid al-Wara (The Firm handhold in beseeching the Best of People).

 

This Diwan is popularly printed as Awthaq al-‘Ura fi mad’hi Sayyid al-Wara (The Firmest handhold in praising the Best of People), but the above name is what the most accurate Mauritanian edition affirms. 

 

5- Shifa al-Asqam fi Mad’hi Sayyid al-Anam (The Cure of Illnesses by the praise of the Master of Mankind).

 

6- Manasik Ahl al-Widad fi Mad’hi Khayr al-‘Ibad (The Rituals of the People of Love in praise of the Best of - God’s - Servants).

 

7- Nur al-Haqq fi Mad’hi alladhi Ja’a bi al-Sidq (The Divine Light in praise of the One who came with the Truth).

 

8- Kanz al-‘Arifin fi Madh’hi Sayyid al-Awwalin wa al-Akhirin (The Treasure of the Gnostics in praise of the Chief of all those came Before and all those who came After). 

 

This particular Diwan was usually printed at the end of the Dawawin al-Sitt (Compilation of the 6 main Diwans), and consists of 6 poems only, 5 of which were selected from the other Diwans. They were considered to be the “essence of those Diwans”. This would make this particular Diwan un-original, except for one poem. However, in the recent comprehensive Mauritanian edition of the Diwans, the learned compiler Shaykh Muhammad Abd-Allah, added to this Diwan those Madih poems of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) not found in his other Diwans, and scattered in various manuscripts and recordings. This made the total number of original poems in this Diwan to be 25! May Allah reward him for his effort!

 

9- Jabr al-Kasr fi Mad’hi Shafi’i Yawm al-Hashr (The Healing of Injury through the praise of the Intercessor of the Day of Resurrection). It is said that the following poem of this Diwan was the first poem Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) wrote in praise of the Prophet (SAW):

 

فاسق مغنى بطيبة يا خليلي

بغروب الدموع و ارو غليلي

O my friend! Water that garden in Taybah (Madinah)…

With my tears! And quench my burning passion!

 

10- Miftah al-‘Atiyyah fi al-Istighathat bi-Khayr al-Bariyyah (The Key of Bounty in beseeching the Best of Creation).

 

11- Sayr al-Qalb bi Mad’hi al-Mustafa al-Hibb ila Hadrat al-Rabb (The Journey of the Heart to the Presence of the Lord through praising the beloved Chosen One).

 

This was the last Diwan compiled by Shaykh-al-Islam (RA). It doesn’t include the letter Za ظ in it as well. When Shaykh Muhammad Abd-Allah Wuld al-Sayyid enquired from the author (RA) about this, his reply indicated a mystical secret behind the omission of that letter from that particular Diwan at that time. Some scholars of the Tijani Faydah, such as the learned Shaykh Ibrahim Mahmud Diop (aka Joob) maintain that the original name of this Diwan does not include the word “mad’hi” in it. Thus the recent brilliantly annotated Moroccan edition of his son Shaykh Ibrahim Diop (Junior), omits that word from the cover. On the other hand, in his well-researched Mauritanian edition, Shaykh Muhammad bin al-Shaykh Abd-Allah has titled this Diwan in a third way: Sayr al-Qalb ila Hadrat al-Rab bi Mad’hi al-Mustafa al-Hibb.

 

The two Diwans of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) in praise of the Supreme-Saint Mawlana Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA) are named:

 

1- Tib al-Anfas fi Mada’ih al-Khatm Abi al-Abbas (The Fragrant Breaths in the praises of the Seal Abu al-Abbas): Consists of 29 poems, as per each letter of the Arabic alphabet.

 

2- Tuhfat Atayib al-Anfas fi Mad’hi al-Qutb Abi al-Abbas (A Gift of Fragrant Breaths in praise of the Supreme-Saint Abu al-Abbas): Consists of 27 poems, including a 118 couplet one.

 

In addition to these, Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) also authored other poetic compositions such as his detailed travelogues to the Hijaz, Morocco, Mauritania, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Guinea Conakry and other places. But these do not concern us here.

 

With regards to his poetry in praise of the Messenger of Allah (SAW), it basically revolves around 4 essential themes:

 

1- Describing his physical attributes and their beauty

2- Highlighting his spiritual ranks and miracles

3- Yearning for him and his blessed resting place

4- Seeking his intercession and protection



The Publication of the Diwans:


Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) would usually write down these poems as they were inspired to him, in various notebooks and pages. Many of these are still preserved in his house in Medina-Baye. His trusted servant, son-in-law and Khalifah Saydi Ali Cisse (RA) would copy them as well. It is Saydi Ali Cisse (RA) in fact, who compiled all these scattered poems together in the form of Diwans, which were then given a name by Shaykh Ibrahim (RA).

 

Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) specifically praised Saydi Ali Cisse (RA) for this great service of his stating:

 

علي خديمي خازن السر كاتبي

بتزيين مدحي قد علا كل فائق

 

Ali! My beloved servant and scribe! The keeper of my secrets!

By compiling my poems in praise of the Prophet, he has surpassed all in excellence!

(From: Diwan Awthaq al-Ura)

 

The first 8 of the above-mentioned Diwans were printed together in one compendium, in Nigeria, during the lifetime of Mawlana Shaykh Ibrahim (RA), and entitled as “al-Dawawin al-Sitt” i.e. “The 6 Diwans”, as the other two smaller Diwans were considered later additions to it. This edition also included explanatory notes by two of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA)’s senior most Khalifahs in Nigeria and renowned scholars, Shaykh Abu-Bakr Atiqu (RA) and Shaykh Muhammad Thani Kafanga (RA). Without their footnotes, the Diwans would be inaccessible to most readers, as the Arabic words and terminologies used by Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) are very sophisticated. Both Shaykhs had the permission and blessing of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) in their explanatory work on the Diwans.

 

Diwans 9 and 10 mentioned above, were printed in another volume entitled “Jami‘ Jawami‘ al-Dawawin” i.e. “The Compilation of the Comprehensive Diwans”, also in Nigeria and during the lifetime of the Shaykh (RA), under the supervision of Saydi Ali Cisse (RA). This edition also included the Diwans of the Shaykh (RA) in praise of Mawlana Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (RA), the Diwan in praise of his own teachers and shaykhs, the Diwan in Tawassul through the Holy Qur’an, and a Diwan containing advices for seekers.

 

The subsequent Lebanese prints of al-Dawawin al-Sitt and Jam‘ Jawami‘ al-Dawawin spread far and wide and are memorized and recited by millions.

 

Diwan number 11 mentioned above (Sayr al-Qalb) has always been published separately, as it’s a fairly late Diwan; in fact the last to be composed by Mawlana Shaykh-al-Islam (RA). It’s most popular edition is the one printed in Kaolack Senegal, under the auspices of the author’s noble son Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin (Baba Lamine) Niasse, and with the penmanship of the famous Senegalese calligrapher Muhammad al-Amin Tahir Njaye.



Typos in the current Diwans:


While much care was given in the compilation of these blessed Diwans, the most popularly circulated editions contain many typing errors, which affect the meanings of the poems sometimes. Most of these errors are when one letter or word is mistakenly printed as another similar letter or word. There are also errors in Tashkil (the vowel signs of Fat’hah, Kasrah, Dammah…etc).

 

Readers and reciters of the Diwan are therefore advised to refer to senior Muqaddams of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) or older handwritten copies of the Diwan, when confused about a particular wording or it's meaning.

 

The handwritten copies of the Diwan (in Ajami script) prevalent in Nigeria usually contain fewer errors, as I have noticed.

 

My own copies of the Diwans have numerous corrections, made over the years, particularly during renditions of the blessed Diwan in front of the learned Shaykh Baye Haiba of Mauritania, who knows these Diwans by heart, from direct oral transmission going back to Shaykh Ibrahim (RA).

 

Here, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the latest comprehensive print of all the Diwans entitled من آفاق الشعر (1439 AH) has corrected nearly all these errors.

 

This edition was diligently prepared by the renowned Mauritanian Muqaddam of Shaykh Ibrahim (RA), and the compiler of his famed Tafsir, Shaykh Muhammad bin al-Shaykh Abd-Allah al-Jayjabi, may Allah reward him.

 

I request everyone to refer to this latest Mauritanian edition, for any serious study of the Diwans of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA).

 

Do note however, that while the new Mauritanian print has corrected these typos as per the original wording of Mawlana Shaykh Ibrahim (RA), it has not highlighted those corrections or outlined them in a list (which would have been very beneficial).

 

Therefore, I provide here 27 examples of words that were distorted in the older popular prints that most people have, which I personally noted.

 

I strongly urge everyone to manually correct their copies of the Diwan from this list:

 

1- Under the Harf al-Ha‘ in the Diwan Taysir al-Wusul, the word للرقيق has been wrongly typed as   للرفيق in the following line:

 

أعلل نفسي بالوصال فعله   *   يجود بوصل للرقيق المحرر

 

This typo changes the meaning completely.

 

2- Under the Harf al-Ta‘ in the same Diwan, the word صلنيوا has been wrongly typed as وصلنيأ in the following line: 

 

قد استأصل المحبوب كلي و جملتي   *    و واصلني و الغيريات  تولت

 

3- In the same poem, the word العبد  has been wrongly typed as الحب in the following line:

  

و ها إن هذا العبد غيب إلهنا   *   و قلب الورى و الذات فيه تجلت

 

4- Under the Harf al-Qaf in the Diwan Iksir al-Sa’adat, the word الغير has been wrongly typed as  الغيد in the following line:

 

ألا جالس المختار بالحب معرضا   *   عن الغير تأت للمطالب من فوق

 

This typo changes the meaning completely.

 

5- Under the Harf al-Mim in the Diwan Salwat al-Shujun, the word  بذينكhas been wrongly typed as  بذنبك in the following line:

 

عليه مع الآل الكرام و صحبه   *   صلاة و تسليم بذينك أختم

 

This typo changes the meaning completely.

 

6- In the same poem, the word  عقيقهhas been wrongly typed as  صقيعهin the following line:

 

يذكرني وادي النقا و عقيقه    *    و للصخرة الملساء وداد و مغرم

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

7- Under the Harf al-Ra in the Diwan Salwat al-Shujun, the word لطه has been omitted in the first line:

 

أجير لمن يأوي إلي لأنني   *   خديم لطه الهاشمي أجير

 

This typo affects the rhyming of the couplet.

 

8- In the same poem, the word تكن has been wrongly typed as  تكلin the following line:

 

تراني و إني غائب فيه حاضرا     *    و فات لسانا ما تكن صدور

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

9- Also in the same poem, the word ذلك has been wrongly typed as  ذاكin the following line:

 

فبيعي و حرثي ثم كسبي بذكره      *    و ذلك بيع لا تراه يبور

 

This typo affects the grammar of the sentence.

 

10- Also in the same poem, the word يعزز has been wrongly typed as  يعزin the following line:

 

يعزز من قد شاء و هو يذله        *    فمنه العطا و المنع و هو خبير

 

This typo affects the rhyming of the couplet.

 

11- Also in the same poem, the word فشمسهم has been wrongly been typed as  شمسهمin the following line:

 

فشمسهم خير الأنام و كلهم      *    كواكبه وسط الصفاء تدور

 

This typo affects the rhyming of the couplet.

 

12- Under the Harf al-Ya’ in the Diwan Awthaq al-‘Ura, the word الماسكين has wrongly been typed as   المالكينin the following line:

 

وصول جميع الماسكين بحبليا     *   تحققه من لم يكذب بربيا

 

This typo changes the meaning completely.

 

13- Under the Harf al-Ha in the Diwan Awthaq al-‘Ura, the word الخلق has been wrongly typed as الخالق in the following line:

 

محى حب خير الخلق حب سواه   *    بقلبي الذي أحياه سر سناه

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

14- Under the Harf al-Hamzah in the Diwan Awthaq al-‘Ura, the word الله has been mistakenly omitted in the following line:

 

عليه صلاة الله ثم سلامه    *   و آل و صحب مصطفين صفاءا

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

15- Under the Harf al-‘Ayn in the same Diwan, the word هويت has been wrongly typed as سويت in the following line:

 

هويت رسول الله طه المشفعا   *   لدى الحق من قصر الضلالة زعزعا

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

16 – In the same poem, the word مترعا has been wrongly typed as  منزعاin the following line:

 

عليه صلاة الله ثم سلامه   *   صلاة تصير العبد دهرا مترعا

 

17 – Also in the same poem, the word لمن has been omitted in the following line:

 

عليه صلاة الله ثم سلامه   *   بها ندم لمن لذا الفيض شنعا

 

18- Under the Harf al-Lam in the Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad, the word بجل has been wrongly typed as  يحلin the following line:

 

و حسبي أرى شيئا رآه محمدا   *   و أنزل أرضا كان فيها و ذا بجل

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

19- Under the Harf al-Ba in the Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad, the word حفت has been wrongly typed as  جفتin the following line:

 

كئيب عليل مغرم و متيم    *   به حفت الأجناس و هو غريب

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

20- In the same poem, the word القيود has been wrongly typed as  الغيودin the following line:

 

بحقك فاشفع في فإنني مقيد   *   مع العرج خلفا و القيود ذنوب

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

21- Under the Harf al-Dal in the same Diwan, the word عراني has been wrongly typed as  عرتني in the following line:

 

دليل على ما قد دهاني و إنني    *   عراني حال في الوداد شديد

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

22- Under the Harf al-Nun in the Diwan آNur al-Haqq, the word أجزني has been wrongly typed as أجرني in the following line:

 

فلابن زهير قد أجزت ببردة     *    أجزني ببرد و أقبل المدح و أقبلن

 

23- Under the Bahr al-Khafif in the Diwan Jabr al-Kasr, the word ارو has been wrongly typed as  ارمin the following line:

 

بغروب الدموع و ارو غليلي    فاسق مغنى بطيبة يا خليلي   *

 

This typo changes the meaning completely.

 

24- Under the Harf al-Lam in the Diwan Sayr al-Qalb, the word بجل has been wrongly typed as  يحلin the following line:

 

و حسبي أرى شيئا رآه محمدا    *   و أنزل أرضا كان فيها و ذا بجل

 

This typo also changes the meaning completely.

 

25- Under the Harf al-Ha‘ in the Diwan Sayr al-Qalb, the word من has been wrongly typed as مل in the following line:

 

و من برياض من جمال و خضرة    *   و طيب هواء و هي في الرتبة القصوى

 

26- Under the Harf al-Waw in the Diwan Sayr al-Qalb, the word القرم has been wrongly typed as القوم in the following line:

 

إن سألوا قد زرتم القرم عاقبا     *    و هل أتحف الزوار منه مواهبا

 

In the same poem, the word كل has wrongly been vowelled with a dammah than a fathah, thus changing the meaning. This is in the following line: و يحمل كل الكل للضيف مكرما.

 

27- Under the Harf al-Dad in the Diwan Sayr al-Qalb, the word سكان has been wrongly typed as مكان in the following line:

 

أروني كأمثال العتيق و من غدا   *    سراجا لسكان العلا من تخلفا


28- Under the Harf al-Sad in the Diwan Taysir al-Wusul, the word مخصص has been wrongly typed as مخصض in the following line:

 

لقدجال قبل الكون في الغيب وحده    *    بعز و تشريف و سر مخصص

 



Final words


Just like Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) wrote Diwans in praise of his beloved Prophet (SAW), some of his muqaddams also wrote Diwans in praise of him. Most prominent amongst them was the Mauritanian Khalifah, al-Shaykhan, whose poetic prowess was exceptional.

 

It is narrated that one day al-Shaykhan recited one of his poems to Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) and asked his opinion of it. So Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) replied:

 

Your poetry is better than mine. But the one I praise is greater than the one you praise…….لكن ممدوحي خيرا من ممدوحك!!!

 

Mawlana Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) considered his poems in praise of the Messenger (SAW) as an eternal calling upon him. He states:

 

   ضمنت مديح الهاشمي و قد رشا  *    قديما  بقلبي  نور  أمداحه  رشا

I have been guaranteed to compose his praises

For eternally, the light of his praises was showered upon my heart!

 

 

عليه  صلاة  الله   ثم   سلامه   *   أرى الدهر قرطاسي لمدحك بصبصا         

May the blessings and greetings of Allah be upon him

And may I always turn my papers in praising you!

 

(From: Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad)

 

 As he also said in another poem:


إنني قبل البرايا     *     حبه شغل الجنان

Before all creation
My heart was busy with his love

 

لا ترى ذكر سواه    *     في فؤادي أو لساني

You will not see the mention of other than him

In my heart or my tongue

 

و امتداح لسواه    *    طيف جن لا عراني

And praising other than him (SAW)

Is an inspiration of demons, which I am not afflicted with

(From: Diwan Jabr al-Kasr)

 

Mawlana Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) firmly believed that his spiritual openings came from his sincere praise of the Prophet (SAW). He states:

 

و قد جاءني منه البشارات أنني    *  بمدحي أفوق فوق كل الشوامخ

And I have received glad-tidings from him that…

by praising him I have risen above all heights

(From: Diwan Awthaq al-Ura)

 

And he also says:

 

حريص على إهدا الثناء و المدائح    *     لجانب من سكناه بين جوانحي

 Eager am I to gift praises and eulogies

To the one who lives in my heart!

 

طويت مقامات الرجال بحبه    *     دنا و تدلى لي رغم قبائحي

I cut short all the ranks of the (Saintly) men through his love

And he brought me close despite my sins

 

و في الحج يوم العيد بالخيف من منى   *   جهارا أتاني المصطفى بالمنائح

And during the Hajj, on the Day of Eid, in the Khif (Mosque) in Mina!

The Chosen One (SAW) publicly appeared to me with Gifts

(From: Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad)

 

Mawlana Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) would happily spend his nights and days in praising his beloved:

 

إذا طربوا من ذكر سلمى و فرتنى   *     فلي في مدح الهاشمي حبور

And if they are ecstatic from the mention of Salma and Fartana (i.e. pretty women)

Then I find my joy in the praise of the Hashemite (Prophet)

 

أنست به يومي و أنسج مدحه   *    فيومي بيمن الهاشمي قصير

He enlivens my days, as I weave his praises

And through him, my days are short (i.e. not tiresome)

 

و ليلي من قربي إليه ملذة     *    به طاب أعوامي و طاب شهور

And my nights are pleasurable due to his proximity

And by him, my months and years are all joyous!

 

And he (RA) states passionately:

 

أخاطبه بالمدح و هو بطيبة   *   و شد اشتياقي و الدموع غزير

I address him with my praise, and he is in Taybah (Madinah)

And my yearning for him grows and my tears continue to flow

 

أخاطبه بالمدح ليلي بكولخ    *   و قد نام جاراتي و سد ثغور

I address him with praises, from my night in Kaolack (in Senegal)

While my wives are asleep and my doors are locked!

 

أخاطبه بالمدح ليلي مسرة    *   إليه مسيري و الفؤاد قرير

I address him with praises, and that makes my night joyous!

To him is my journey (of the heart), and my heart is indeed content!

(From: Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad)

 

Indeed, Mawlana Shaykh (RA) had no rest and joy except in remembering his beloved (SAW). And he considered mentioning others as a humiliation and abomination:

 

لساني ذكر المصطفى سيناله   *    مديح ذكي العرف دهرا مشيعا

My tongue is busy with the mention of the Chosen One!

And he will always receive pure and fragrant praises from me, spread all over!

 

و ترداد ذكر المصطفى الدهر راحتي     *     و روحي و روحي سامعا و مسمعا

For repeating the praises of the Chosen One is my relief forever

And my soul and my comfort! Both listening and reciting!

 

و مدح سوى الهادي المقفى مذلة     *    و مين فكل المدح فيه مجمعا      

And praising other than the Followed Guide (SAW) is indeed a humiliation…

and falsehood! For all (that is worthy of) praise is combined in him!

(From: Diwan Taysir al-Wusul)

 

The praises of the Prophet (SAW) were also his medicine and cure:

 

مديحي له طبي و روضي و راحتي   *    و كنزي و أعدادي لكل مقام

My praises for him are my medicine, my exercise and my rest

And my treasure, and my preparation for every situation

 

ألا حبذا  حب  الأمين  و حبذا    *     مدائحه تشفي جميع سقامي 

Welcome always to his love and his praises!

Welcome to his praises that cure all my ailments!

 

متى نابني أمر مدحت إمامنا      *     فتمسي حروب الكل سبل سلام

Whenever anything troubles me, I praise our master!

And all the my battles become pathways of peace


و أرجو من المختار كوني خديمه     *     لخادمه تعنو ملوك الأنام

I hope from the Chosen One (SAW), that he accepts me as his servant

All the kings of the world, submit to his servant!!

(From: Diwan Jabr al-Kasr)

 

Despite composing thousands of lines of praises, Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) always considered his poems to be inadequate in doing justice to the sublime status of the Best of Creation (SAW). For him, the benefit in these praises was his only. He states:

 

درأت فسادي بالمدائح جالبا     *       صلاحي فإن المدح جلب المصالح

It warded off all harm from me, and gained me all benefits

For praising him (SAW) is the key to benefiting yourself!

 

و مدحي له مزجي البضاعة قاصرا    *    عن الشأو هل يرضي بذكر مدائحي   

   For my praises are poor and inadequate to his Rank

Would he even be pleased by the mention of my praises?!

(From: Diwan Manasik Ahl al-Widad)

 

And in other verses he says, mentioning the great praisers and lovers of the past:

 

فما ترك البوصير قولا لقائل    *    و كعب و حسان المديح تكلموا

For Busiri has left nothing for anyone else to say!

And Ka’ab and Hassan spoke in his praise (before me)

 

و قد نطق القرآن بالحق مادحا    *     سجايا رسول الله و الذكر أحكم

And the Qur’an itself spoke the truth, in praising

The qualities of the Messenger of Allah! And it’s words are final!

 

و تكفيه مدحا ذاته و سماته    *    محمد وضع جامع المدح مبرم 

And sufficient praise for him is his own being and character

(His name) Muhammad (the Praised One)! Is the most comprehensive & decisive praise!

 (From: Diwan Salwat al-Shujun)

 

On another note, Shaykh Ibrahim (RA) firmly hoped that his poems were accepted in the Court of the Prophet (SAW) and that he will sing them on the Day of Judgement:

 

يبشره الباري بمدحي و زورتي   *   اسير معي الابرار ذلك أفلح

Indeed, Our Creator will present to him (SAW) the glad-tiding of my poems and my visits

I will travel with the pious ones, and that is the way to success

 

و إني محب خادم الباب شاعر   *   و أرجو التفاتا لا اذل و أكلح

For I am but a lover of his, a poet, and a servant of his Door

All I seek is his Glance! And that I am not humiliated and rebuked

 

متي قمت وسط الأنبياء مشفعا   *    هنالك أشدو بالثنا و ألوح

And when you shall stand out amongst the prophets to Intercede (on the Day of Judgement)

There I will openly sing your praises and proclaim them!

 

هناك تذكر يا شفيع مقصرا   *    أسير غرام فيك يشدو و يمدح

On that day O my intercessor! Remember this poor follower

A prisoner of your love! A singer of your glories and praises

 (From: Diwan Shifa al-Asqam)

 

Like all true lovers, he also wished to present his praises to the Beloved One (SAW) and receive his reward and approval as well:

 

بلى ألقى رسول الله ألفي مدائحي     *      لديه و يعليني الى المنصب الحسن

Surely, I shall meet the Messenger of Allah and present my praises to him!

And then he shall raises me to a most beautiful position (by him)

 

فلابن زهير قد أجزت ببردة     *    أجزني ببرد و أقبل المدح و أقبلن

As you rewarded (Ka’ab) Ibn-Zuhayr with your Burdah (Cloak)

Reward me as well with a Cloak and accept me and my praise!

(From: Diwan Nur al-Haqq) 

 

By: Imam Fakhruddin Owaisi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ****************************************


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• Kanzul Awliyā fī Tawassuli bi-Aazam al-Asmā

• Raf’u-l Malām aman rafaa wa qabada iqtidā bi-Sayyid al-Anām

• Majmu’ Qasāid al-Mawlid an-Nabawī

• Nujūm al-Hudā fī kawni Nabiyyinā afdala man daā ilā llahi wa hadā

• Ziyādat al-Jawāhir min yawāqīt al-fāzin durari hikamin fī funūn ulūm

• Ad-Dawāwīn as-Sitt

• Matrab as-Sāmieen an-Nāzireen: Fī Manāqib ash-Shaykh Al-Hajj Abdullah ibn Sayyid Muhammad

• Fi Riyād at-Tafsīr: Tafsīr Mawlāna ash-Shaykh Ibrahīm Niyās al-Kawlakhy

• Al-Bayān wa-t Tabyīn anni-t Tijāniyyati wa-t Tijāniyyīn

• Tanbīhu-l adhkiyā fī kawn Ash-Shaykh At-Tijānī Khātim al-Awliyyā

• Dīwān Sayr al-Qalb bi-Madh al-Mustafā al-hibb ilā Hadrat Ar-Rabb

• Majmū Rihlāt Ash-Shaykh Ibrāhīm [Ar-Rihlat al-Hijaziyya al-ūlā, Nayl al-Mafāz al-awd ilā-l Hijāz, Ar-Rihlat al-Kanāriyya wal Kumāshiyya, Ar-Rihlat al-Kunākriyya]

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• Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubrā wa Latāif al-Awārif [by Imām Ahmad ibn Aliyyu Al-Būnī]

• Al-‘Ishrīniyya (Dīwān al-Wasāil al-Mutaqabala fī madhi-n Nabiyyi) [by Wazīr Abdur-Rahmān al-Fāzāzī & Imām AbūBakr al-Muhīb]

• Mukāshafat al-Qulūb [by Imām Abū-Hamīd al-Ghazzālī]

• Ghāyatul Amānī fī Sīrat Sīdī Ahmad At-Tijānī [Compiled by Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan al-Madaū Thānī]

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• New Life Through Sufism (An Introductory Approach to Sufism) [by Shaikh Zikrullah Okukayode Yekeen

• Pure Hearted (Al Qalb as-Salīm) [by Sayyid Balogun Babatunde (Ubaidullah Alli)]

• Rūh al-Adab (Spirit of Excellent Ethics) by Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse [Translated by Abdul-Quadir Okeneye (Khaadimul Faydah)]
• At-Taiseer (Simplification): The Means of Attaining Purification Through Poetry with Allaah's Most Beautiful Names, By Shaykh El-Hajj Malick Sy [Translated by Abdul-Quadir Okeneye (Khaadimul Faydah)]

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• In the Meadows of Tafsir/Exegesis for the Noble Quran) - by Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (Compiled by Muhammad ibn Abdullah Jayjubi at-Tijānī), English Translation [Volume 1]
• Al-Yaaqutatul Fareeda Fii Tariqatul Tijaniyyah (The Unique Ruby in the Tijaniya Spiritual Path), by Sheikh Muhammad Nazifi (R.A)...Translated by Sayyidi Jafaru Ibrahim
• Shariah and Haqiqa: In the Light of the Qur’ān and the Prophetic Traditions, by Dr. Awwal Baba Taofiq
• Mawlud lectures of Shaikh Ibrahim Niass(Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)
Practical Guide on the Wird(Litany) of the Tariqah Faydah Tijaniyyah (The Adherent Handbook)-(Compiled by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)
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   SUFI LITERATURE AND PRAYER BOOKS COLLECTION
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Al-Yaaqutatul Fareeda Fii Tariqatul Tijaniyyah (The Unique Ruby in the Tijaniya Spiritual Path), by Sheikh Muhammad Nazifi (R.A), translated by Sayyidi Jafaru Ibrahim
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SŪFĪ LITERATURE/WRITINGS/BOOKS COLLECTION

• Al-Durra al-Kharida fī Shar’h al-Yāqūtat al-Farīda (‘The Unpierced Pearl’ in the Commentary of ‘The Unique Ruby’) - [Arabic, 2 Vols] by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wāhid an-Nazīfī

• Jawāhir al-Ma’ānī wa Bulūgh al-Amānī fī Fayd Sīdi Abī-l ‘Abbās at-Tijānī (Jewels of Meanings and the Attainment of Aspirations in the Spiritual Flood of Abu l Abbas Tijānī) by Sīdī ‘Aliyyu Harāzim Berrada - Arabic [Single Vol 1/2]

• Fī Riyādh at-Tafsīr lil Qur’ān al-Karīm (In the Meadows of Tafsir/Exegesis for the Noble Quran) - by Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (Compiled by Muhammad ibn Abdullah Jayjubi at-Tijānī) - Arabic [6 Volumes]

• Kanzul Masūn [Compilation of some Prayers and Supplications of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse] - Arabic

• Dawāwīn as-Sitt (Six Anthologies) on Prophetic Eulogy (by Shaikh Ibrahim Niasse) - Arabic

• Jihāzu Sārih wa Sā’ihi wa Sābih wal ‘Ākiful Fālihu fī Tawajuhāt bi-Salātul Fātih (Mandate of the Praise Worshipper, the Supplicant and the Glorifier and the Profit Secluder, in the Supplications with ‘The Invocation of the Opener’) by Shaykh Muhammad Gibrima Ad-Dāghirī - Arabic

• Ahzāb wa Awrād (Collection of Prayers/Liturgies and Litanies) of Shaikh Ahmad at-Tijani - Arabic

• Dalā’ilu l Khayrāt - Collection of prayers upon the Prophet “in Plain Arabic and Warsh script” (by Shaikh Sulaiman Jazūlī) - Arabic

We also have;
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• Mu’jam at-Tulāb (Student’s Dictionary) - [Arabic - English | English - Arabic] Compiled by Abed al-Hafiz Baydoun

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Dalā’ilu l Khayrāt - Collection of prayers upon the Prophet “in Plain Arabic and Warsh script” (by Shaikh Sulaiman Jazūlī) - Arabic

Kanzul Masūn - Collections of Prayers/Supplications (by Shaikh Ibrahim Niasse) - Arabic

Dawāwīn as-Sitt (Six Anthologies) on Prophetic Eulogy (by Shaikh Ibrahim Niasse) - Arabic

Ahzāb wa Awrād (Collection of Prayers/Liturgies and Litanies) of Shaikh Ahmad at-Tijani - Arabic

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1. Majmū’at ad-Dawāwīn (Collection of Eulogy Works) of Shaikh Ibrahim Niasse’ (English translation) - Translated by Dr. Awwal Baba Taofiq

2.Vessel of Spiritual Flood, Translation of Goran Faydah by Shaykh Balarabe Haroon Jega (Translated by Dr. Awwal Baba Taofiq)

3.Shariah and Haqeeqah: In the Light of the Qur'an and the Prophetic Traditions(Translated by Dr. Awwal Baba Taofiq)

4.The Icon of Mystics: Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse Al-Kawlakhy (Translated by Dr. Awwal Baba Taofiq)

5. Tahniat (Congratulatory Ode) of Shaikh Ibrahim Niass - (Translation
& Transliteration of Majmuu' Qasaid al-Mawlid of Baye) - (Translated by Sayyid AbdulQadri Okeneye)

6. Handbook for every Tijaniyyat (by Shaikh As-Sufi)

8. Risalat at-Tawbah (Epistle of Repentance) of Shaykh Ibrahim Niyass al-Kawlakhi" - (Translation & Commentary by Dr. Razaq Solagberu)

9. Katsina and Kaduna Conferences (Jadhbul ahbab ila hadrat Rabbil arbab) and Mecca Conference - (Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)

10. Softcopy of Numerous Sufi Literature (Arabic & English) - (To be sent via CD & email/googledrive)

12. Sayyida Fatimat Zahara (The Rose): The Beloved Daughter of the Holy Prophet (SAW) - (by Sayyid Ahmad Bello As-Suufi Harazimi)

13. Sheikh Ahmad Tijani and his Spiritual Path (Tariqat) - (by Sayyid Ahmad Bello As-Suufi Harazimi)

14.Special Prayers from Kanzul Masun- (Translated by Sayyid AbdulQadri Okeneye)

15.Facts about Sufism by Ismaheel Abdulrauf

16. Who is Shaykh Jamiu Bulala (by Ustaz Olanipekun Shittu Tunde)

17. Mawlud lectures of Shaikh Ibrahim Niass - (Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)

18. Practical Guide on the Wird(Litany) of the Tariqah Faydah Tijaniyyah (The Adherent Handbook) - (Translated by Sayyidah Bilqis Grillo)

19. Hizbu Sayfi & Hizbul Mughni (Arabic text, Translation, Transliteration by Imam Marooph Raji)

20. Hizbul Bahri (Arabic text, Translation, Transliteration by Imam Marooph Raji)

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SUFI BLOGS & SUFI BOOKS LINKS
(From Pristine Sufism Books/SmileBak Global Emporium)

SUFI BLOGS LINKS;

1. PRISTINE SUFISM

2. AFRICAN SCHOLARS & SAINTS: THEIR LIVES & TIMES

3. SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIYĀS (BAYE NIASSE)

4. SHAYKH MUHAMMAD GIBRIMA

5. THE DIVINE FLOOD (Writings & Translation Works of Imam Fakhruddin Owaisi)

6. SHAYKH UMAR FALKE

7. THE ICON OF MYSTICS: SHAYKH IBRĀHĪM NIYĀS (Writings& Translation Works of Shaykh (Dr.) Awwal Baba Taofik)

8. THE FAYDAH IN MAURITANIA

9. ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASSE’S BOOKS (By Shaykh Hussein Babalwaiz)

10. SUFI SUPPLICATIONS/INVOCATIONS

11. SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASSE’S WORKS: INTERPRETATION FROM ARABIC (By Imam Muhammad Abdullahi)

12. SUFI MYSTICAL POEMS

13. SHAYKH ADAM ABDULLAHI AL-ILORY

14. SHARING THE TREASURES OF PRISTINE ISLAM (Translations of Sayyida Bilqis Grillo)

15. SPIRITUAL FLOOD (FAYDAH) PEARLS [Writings & Translation Works of Shaykh Sulayman Odetayo]

16. SHAYKH TĀJ AHMAD AL-LABĪB AL-ADABY

17. THE BELIEVER’S SWORD: APPLICATION OF SCIENCE OF NUMBERS & LETTERS TO PRAYERS FROM QUR’AN & HADITH

18. KHADEEJAH: LIGHT UPON LIGHT LADY

19. PRISTINE SUFISM BOOKS


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