Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir

Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir
Author of “The Eternal Good Deeds” on the
biography of Sheik Al Khadim
By Serigne Afia Niang
Translated by Cheikh Ahmadou Mbacke

Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir is one of the distinguished sons of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba. He was born on the 12th of Jumada-ththani 1313 of the Hijriyah (August 1895 A.D.) By the time Sheikh Al Khadim was preparing for his trip, on exile, to Gabon, he was informed about his birth (that of Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir) and he was very happy about it. He then gave him the name Muhammad Al Bashir (The announcer of Good News), and considered his birth as a soothsayer for that he would have a nice trip. This optimism that he inspired his father with lasted throughout his life. Because of his good-looking, intelligence and perseverance, he was very close to his father and guide, who also loved him so much. The Sheikh focused on his education and trainings as he grew up. Thus, he memorized the Holy Koran at an early age and was exposed to other several fields of knowledge including shariah, haqida, the biographies of the prophet (pbuh), history, literature and etc. As a result, he was a judge, a mystic, a highly cultivated artist, and an educator who dedicated all his life in serving Islam, knowledge, and humanity as a whole. Basically, that is all he did with his life, and even after his return to God (he past away) for the eternal life, that’s all he left behind him too. As a matter of fact, he left for his posterity a lot of achievements such as well-constructed villages, fertile lands, functioning wells, mosques, and a lot of other good and useful achievements. His pious sons are role models to be followed for their dedication and loyalty to the Caliphs of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba. In a nutshell, Serigne Muhammad Al Bashir confirms that hadith of the prophet, which states, “When a person passes away, he or she is cut off of this world except when he or she leaves three things: a well-taken-care-of alimony ( that benefits people); some useful knowledge; and a pious child who prays for him”
May God be satisfied with him.

MINANUL BAQIL KHADIM
The most important of all the scientific and literary works of Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir is undoubtedly his book called “Minanul Baqil Khadim”, the eternal good deeds, on the biography of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba. It is a well-appreciated and unique type of book. It is considered to be among the most ancient and authentic sources on the subject (the life of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba). Its importance as a reference is widely recognized as well.

The personality of its author (Minanul Baqil Khadim). He is one of the great sons of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba who are all distinguished by their ascetics, piousness, honesty, reverential fear of Allah (taqwa), righteousness as well as their good morals. Whomsoever lives by such qualities would definitely become a person of integrity, credibility dignity and faith. Sheikh Muhammad Al Bashir is singularized by his exceptional intelligence, his extraordinary honesty and his exact precision, which are factors that, as a matter of fact, render his judgments and words, just and credible. Moreover, he lived to witness most of the traditions (events) that is narrated about Sheikh Ahmad Bamba.

The theme of the book: Al Minan is written on the biography of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba. The theme will indeed be interesting for researchers who study mouridism and its doctrine. In fact, the biography of the founder of mouridism is considered as the source, incarnation and practical application of this brotherhood. It serves as a referential, and criteria for authentification, verification, comprehension and comparison. Sheikh Ahmad Bamba is a man of integrity, sincerity and honesty whose words and ideas have never contradicted his actions or his behavior.

His style and his methodology: Both the style and methodology of the author of Minanul Baqil Khadim are definitely original, he was the first one to use the proceeds which consists of teaching Sufism, which is considered to be the base upon which the Sheikh has built his life. He was a complete Sufi in any sense that one could define him. His whole life was all about the vivid expression of the realities lived by the true and authentic men of God who respectfully followed the way (of life) traced by the prophet (PBUH) and his companions (R.A.). The chapters of the book are parted on the basis of the Maqama Al Yaqim (The nine stations which paved the aspiring way toward God, The Almighty) numbered in the verse of Ubn ‘Asher as follows: “Fear, hope, patience, gratitude, Repenting, ascetics, confidence (in God) Satisfaction (of God’s will), love”

The author analyzed these concepts by demonstrating how the Sheikh has lived up to each one of them.

The content of the book: Al Minan is a very original book in its topics and it is very rich in useful information and knowledge. In addition to its principal theme, it contains a multitude of information about some famous and important figures, scholars and pious men and women of the past such as Sokhna Mariama Diaratoul Lahi (the mother of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba), Sheikh Muhammad Bousso (an uncle to Sheikh Ahmad Bamba), Serigne Mbacke Ndoumbe (his grand father), Ahmad Bamba Sall (his namesake), Mame Mor Anta Sally (his father), Mame Mor Diarra (his brother), Sheikh Mokhtar Ndoumbe Diop (their grandfather from Koky) Sheikh Mbacke Bousso, Sheikh Ibrahima Fall, Sheikh Hassan Ndiaye, Sheikh Abdou Rahman Lo, Prince Lat Dior and his cousin Samba Laobe Fall and many other personalities whose informations are seldom found in a book. There is also a lot of history and anecdotes in the book. The story of tasawwuf (Sufism) and the educational method of sheikh Ahmad bamba were well-treated in the book..

Its referential character: the book (Al Minan) is one of the fundamental references in the study of muridism from its history to its doctrine in consideration of the facts that: Its author was an ocular witness to most of the related events He constructed and developed his subject from the perspective of Sufism, which is his specialty. Consequently, by studying the fundamental references and books (of Sufism) and by observing the life of his god-fearing father and that of his great disciples, he mastered both the theories and practices of Sufism.

His father and guide, Sheikh Ahmad Bamba had educated him in the same manner that he had educated his great disciples. They lived together for a longtime and he was very close to him, as we stated earlier. He then became, in return, a great educator for many other followers, and as a result, was in charge of their trainings too. He wrote this book in the early days of muridism, right after the passing away of his father, the founder, and before the disappearance of the first generation that lived with and believed him (sheikh Ahmad Bamba)

In summary, it is a book that deserves the interest of all researchers in terms of studies, analysis, comments, publications, dissemination and translations in all living languages so that its usefulness could be established so widely as already was its referential character.

May peace and blessings of Allah be upon the prophet Muhammad, his companions, servant and those who follow them.