Sheikh Abdu Qadr Mbacke (1989-1990)

SHAYKH ABDU QADR MBACKE FOURTH CALIPH OF MURRIDIYA (1914-1989)

The most widely shared feeling in the Senegalese Muslim community, at the evocation of Shaykh Abdou Qadr Mbacke’s caliphate, is indeed bitterness, for as the forth caliph of Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba, he has only spent eleven months at the caliphate. We cannot depart from the feeling, conviction that the murid community, especially, has been deprived too soon of a foster father so generous in favors, profits and benefits of all kinds.

We are still firm in that belief when one evokes some of the circumstances surrounding his birth: a Friday night in 1914 at Daaru Aliimu Khabir in Ndame reinforces the impression of an unfinished symphony. As soon as he heard the glad tidings, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba summoned his brother and right hand man, Serigne Thierno Ibra Faty (Mame Thierno) of Daaru Muhty to entrust him with the mission to go to Ndame in order to handle the required necessary. Before his departure, and after giving his benedictions, the Master said to Mame Thierno: “ In the name and Barakat of the new born you are going to pay a visit, be aware that every person you will meet or see on your trip (round trip) is preserved from the hell fire!”

Thus, since his birth, Serigne Abdou Qadr began embodying that strong hand with which, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba set about and overcame all obstacles standing between the creatures and their salvation. His influence has always been beneficial to others. In words and deeds, he has always heartedly incited his fellowmen to exclusively worship Allah (SWT) and follow the Sunnah of his prophet (PBUH).

People, in a way, saw in him the reincarnation of Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba, for he bears most of the character traits of the Shaykh. There are several examples to prove it.

His mother Soxna Aminata Bousso is the daughter of Serigne Boussobe, an uncle of the Shaykh. So, he would have been the Sheikh’s nephew, had he not been his son. From this parentage, he inherited a profound piety that none was surprised about; his lifelong Imam position is one illustrious proof of such piety.

Besides, since the return to Allah (SWT) of Muhammadu Fallilou Mbacke in 1968, he has been leading the prayers at The Great Mosque of TOUBA. He mastered the Qur’an very early, under the supervision of Serigne Ndam Abdurahman Lo. He then went to Guede to study Religious Sciences, which he completed under the supervision of Serigne Modu Deme, a great scholar who was, also known as “Alimou Soodaan.”

The striking resemblance with his father was not only moral, but also physical. Same thin and frail silhouette in their look, same attire simplicity fitting well their asceticism, same swift pace especially when the destination is a place of worship. Their traits had the same mark of serenity and reflected the same candid love for their fellowman, but also the same fierce determination to shun any kind of compromise in the service of Allah (SWT) and his Muhammad (SAWS). The same divine ray of light illuminated their compassion-laden look for mankind.

His profound filial piety made Serigne Abdou Qadr pay frequent ziarra (visits) to the sheikh family members’ mausoleums as well those of his great disciples.