Sheik Al Amine Ibn Khadimou Rassol
His Childhood
Serigne Muhammadu Lamine Bara was born on the 28th Jumada, 1309 A.H corresponding to December 29, 1891A.D in the village of Tuubaa just founded that same year by his father that makes him the only son of Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba who was born in Tuubaa. His mother Soxna Aminata Lo, is the descendent of the illustrious scholar Serigne Makhtar Ndumbe, founder of the village Coki, and belongs to an old lineage reputed for the excellence and piety of its scholars. His brother, Shaykh Muhammadu Mustafa (1888-1945), is the eldest and first Caliph of Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba whom he succeeded from 1927 to 1945, years during which he accomplish a great work for the unity and bringing together the Murid community throughout the construction of the great mosque and the extension of the railroad line from Diourbel to Tuubaa. It is related that following a revelation of the Servant of The Prophet for which she consented to sacrifice her own life, Soxna Aminata Lo passed away six months after the birth of Shaykh Muhammadu Lamine Bara who was then put under the good care of Soxna Awa Busso, mother of Serigne Muhammadu Fadl. These first childhood years spent together would definitely impact the strong relationships existing between Shaykh Muhammadu Lamine Bara and his brother and friend Serigne Fallou.
His Education
Serigne Bara started his Koranic education with the pious tutor of the Shaykh’s offspring, Serigne Ndam Abdu Rahman Lo. He will later follow his studies with his uncle Mame Thierno Ibra Faty, and then with other teachers such as Serigne Ibra Binta Sylla and Serigne Mbaye Diakahte
It is said that his first years of studies were very difficult given some hearing problems that did not prevent him at all from completing his studies with an astonishing degree of scholarship of which he expressed his gratitude towards God in these verses; “ O Lord, You, the Best Guide! You granted me the Good Guidance, and ensured my education, O Ye thou showered me from the chalices of purity!
O Lord Thou Hath granted me some Science emanating from You, shielding me from harms and doubt. You Are indeed The One who grant the benefits before they are requested, who kindly give away of Your Grace and manifest your Marvels by turning into comfort the uncomfortable….”
In fact, the true personality of Serigne Bara is very different from the popular image of a short-tempered miracle performer he is often attributed. Unlike his entourage that testifies of his gentleness, generosity, good qualities, love of worshipping God, asceticism, his hatred of trivialities and transgressions, his kindness, his broad knowledge, his absolute fear of God, his love for the messenger of God (PBUH) and for the Servant of the Prophet; virtues displayed in his actions and his numerous writings as well.
His Writings
One can argue that Shaykh Muhammadu Lamine Bara is among the most prolific writers of Muridiyya and of those whose writing style is most similar to the Shaykh’s, to the extent that it was very difficult to differentiate their respective poems. The most recurrent themes dealt with in their writing are: praising and paying tribute to God, writing panegyric of the Prophet (PBUH), praising Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba, giving advice to the disciples or followers, and imploring God. The most part of his large bibliography is disseminated between the Njambur, Cayor, and Jollof provinces. Among the most known are: Munawiru-l-Bunyan literally translated into (The Enlightenment of the Edifices), Safinatu-l-Abrar or (The Vessel of the Virtuous), Shahadatu-l-Akhyar (The Bliss of the Chosen People), Tibu-l-Fuad (The Serenity of The Hearts), Zahabu-l-Ibriz (The Pure Gold) just to name a few…
His Reliance on The Lord
In Shaykh Muhammadu Lamine Bara’s work one can find much evidence of his perfect submission and his genuine hope in his Creator and his infinite gratitude for his countless favors as well as expressed in the following verses: “I rely on the Creator who granted me knowledge and who generously gave me privileged favours.”
“I render thanks to the Lord who granted me His Grace, He who gives honour to whomever He pleases.”
“My heart will never cease thanking my Lord and my mouth will express my gratitude to Him forever.”
His Love for the Prophet (PBUH)
Sheikh Mouhamadou Lamine Bara’s great love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad can be evidenced by these following verses: “My only honour is to remain forever at the service of the Prophet, so never shall I stop working for him, by Allah’s Permission.”
“Muhammad is assuredly the noblest creature and a Divine Grace from the Lord. Indeed You are my shield in this world and in the hereafter, O you who defeated the envious!.”
His Love for Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba
In choosing to trade off his privileged status of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba’s son for that of his humble disciple, Sheikh Mouhamadou Lamine dedicated him numerous poems showing great regard and love for the founder of the Muridiyya:
“I totally submitted myself to the Eternal Lord and I have entrusted my affairs to the Servant of the Prophet who never fails to honour his disciple. The Sheikh is really matchless and whoever pays him a visit will obtain Allah’s forgiveness.”
When Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba passed away and was buried in Touba, he wrote in a memorable poem:
“O Earth of Touba! Be delighted to the Grace which has been granted to you the day you received this eminent Sheikh in yourself.
Rejoice from this Divine Favour no other ground except you has obtained!”
It has been reported that Sheikh Mouhamadou Lamine is credited with writing 25 manuscripts of the Holy Quran he offered to his father and master. Also, he used to send him numerous pious gifts in expression of his love towards him. His sense of public relations and his affection for his relatives contributed very much in the friendly terms Serigne Bara entertained with all his brothers and sisters
His Teaching Methodology
Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine was profoundly attached to the Islamic values Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba taught his disciples, such as seeking knowledge, worshipping the Lord, following the rules of Muslim ethics (Adab), attachment to work and so
So did he settle numerous daaras (religious schools) in all the villages he founded, as Mbacké Cayor, Mbacké Ndiock, Khabane, Khélléré, Mbarakhane, and Gouye Mbind. From these schools, he trained many disciples who later became very eminent figures of the Muridiyya, such as Serigne Niane Diop in Touba, Serigne Modou Diarra Guèye in Khawlou, Serigne Assane Guèye Diagne in Coki, Serigne Macodou Kassé, Serigne Mama Ndiaye and many others.
In his educational methodology, Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine gave priority to acquiring knowledge and its genuine putting into practice for the sole Sake of Allah. So, as he puts it in:
“Three qualities are essential and are the most beneficial activities in which man can dedicate himself – seeking knowledge, performing good deeds and cultivating fear of Allah.”
“The only virtue one may pride oneself of is assuredly fear of Allah and acquiring knowledge, but not prestigious dynasty and hoarding money.”
Analyzing the education rules promoted by Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine through his writings, we can guess that he adopted the same educational method (tarbiyya) revivified by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba himself. Regarding the education of the youth, Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine wrote:
“O you, my Muslim brothers! Know that educating one’s child is not assuring him only plain theoretical instruction (book smart).
Every parent has the duty to make due effort so as to cultivate in his children love for the Holy Quran and loving the Prophet, and teach them good qualities such as generosity, kindness and the sense of family relationships.
He is also incumbent to any parent to guard his children from defects such as envy, hypocrisy and lies.
Remember that you must educate your children by the example.
So both parents must always endeavour to show their children the right way and to avoid arguing in their presence.”
Also Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine disapproved strongly the cultural psychology of his society which leads them often to neglect educating young girls:
“O you, my Muslim brothers! Stop neglecting educating your daughters. Because you do not know who among your children will be the most beneficial to you. Do not behave as the ignorant fellows the Quran criticizes in such terms: “When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!” (16:58)
“O you, my Muslim brothers! Know that lack of good care for your children can bring forth drawbacks that will negatively affect their behaviour in the future.”
HIS DEATH
Sheikh Muhammadu Lamine died in Mbacké Cayor the 1st of Dhul-Hijja, 1355 Hijra, corresponding to June 18th, 1936, at the age of about 45 years. He was buried in Touba. His death caused great sorrow to his entourage and disciples as well, especially his brothers and sisters. Serigne Ahmadou Sakhir Mbaye (father of the Late Serigne Sam Mbaye) who was among his relationship devoted him a touching elegy in which he said:
“Sheikh Muhammadu-l-Amine’s return to Allah has saddened us all.
May the Lord’s Forgiveness and Felicity dwell with him for ever.
