Email Page to a Friend   Print This Page

Home > Mouridiya >

What is the Mouridiya?

We have noticed that some people still wonder whether the Muridiya can be considered as one of Islamic creeds based on the Holy Book and the Sunna, or like others take it, just an innovatory branch away from the Prophet Muhammad's Message.

Such a situation brings us to investigate the issue to shed light on the concept.

Right at the beginning, we can say that the expression "Muridiya" derives from the Arab word "Al Muriid". Al muriid is the person who longs for God's Holy Face by means of personal commitment to follow the chari'a's teachings and to keep himself away from any violation of the latter whether in the concept, the expression and the daily action.

In other words, it is a neologism, which symbolizes the revival move initiated by Sheik Ahmadou Bamba in the late 19th century advocating a return back to basic Islamic principles.

In the light of such a definition, the Muridiya reveals itself, first and foremost, as a call for all Muslims to refer to the Holy Kuraan and to the Prophet's Sunna.

The Sheik (founder of the Muridiya) believes in fact that a host of his co-religious has deviated far away from the original line defined by Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Deploring the loss of the Prophet's saintly tracks, as well as those of the pious pioneers among the companions and Muslims, Imam Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba states:

"The biography of the Model (Muhammad, peace be upon him), for the great ignorance of people, escapes them, as well as the life-style of the companions people of righteousness, clear-sightedness and success and last fades the Sheik's straight line with their virtue and knowledge".

So, he implores the Lord Almighty to help him come over all hindering factors in the purpose of taking up the great challenge of updating the prophet's way of life and that of the former virtuous pioneers, as an example for Muslims.

"Send your everlasting blessings on (Muhammad), His posterity and his companions as well.

And, through my person, do renew the Straight Way dismissing enemies and without any pain".

As to point out that his mission just aims at the achievement of such a goal, he declares:

"For the sake of Mustafa (the Prophet), I, Ahmad, intend to give rebirth to his excellent Sunna.

No religion save his Islam is acknowledged by Allah, thereof we undertake renewal action".

Basic principles of the Muridiya

Any religious creed naturally lays on fundamental principles that serve as a guideline for its adherents. Through the study of those principles is determined its level of conformity with the Koraan and the Sunna.

In this purpose, we intend to explore the basic principles on which stands the Muridiya as stated by its founder, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba himself.

Answering to a former Governor of West African French colonies who asked him about the Muridiya, he declared:

"The creed is based on:
Al Iman (Faith) in conformity with the knowledge of Unity of Allah: "Tawheed".
Al Islam's religious practice, in line with the "Fiqh" (islamic law).
And al Ihsan i.e. the excellent attitude in the worship according to the "Tassawirf".

He explains those three pillars as follows:
"The first duty of the disciple is to provide himself with the knowledge of tawheed before deciding to live aside the community and indulging alone into the practice of "Zikr" or advocating "Jihaad".

Then he must follow the creed of Ahl as Sunna, as well as the consensus of Muslim, this is the shield.

Because the dark shadow of an innovatory faith hides the light of the obedience to the Guide (Allah), afterwards, he has to learn about all that authentify, the fulfillment of his personal religious duties as defined; like the purification, the fast, the prayer (salat), the pilgrimage to the "House of Allah" and legal charity (zakat) as well.

Then, if he wants spiritual conjunction, he commits himself with a perfect exemplar that follows the Messenger. He (the perfect guide) shall lead him by means of science and worship and ensure his education getting him rid of usual way of life".

According to Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba, the Tassawuf can be understood as the adhesion to the creed of the virtuous predecessors following the example of a righteous guide as described above.

Furthermore, he assimilates it to the "Ihsaan" which is the third part of the religion.

"Beware that the religion of Allah divides up into three parts undoubtedly first of which Al Iman and Al Islam then, comes Al Ihsaan, don't be asleep. The first is authentified through the knowledge of Tawheed and the second through the acknowledged Islamic legislation.

As for the third, its conformity is measured out relatively to the Tassawuf.

Totally the three remains an obligation forever, Al Ihsaan, as explained by the Messenger (Peace be upon him); is the servant's belief and faith in God's presence with him anywhere, then he dedicates Him an exclusive worship as if he were before Him.

To emphasize such an assumption, Cheik Ahmadou Bamba says:

"The perfect attitude (Ihsaan) you may have is to worship the Provider of godsend as if you properly saw Him with your own eyes because even if you can't see Him, He is watching you, bear that in mind".

Of course, going along with a righteous, Shaykh helps to achieve a complete devotion to Allah whether in the deeds or in the discourse as well.

In short, we can see that the Muridiya essentially stands on:

- The Imaan (faith) based on the Tawheed (knowledge of God's Unity), "Rububiy" and "Uluhiya".

- The Islam: submission to the Lord in accordance with the creed of Ahl as Sunna and the consensus of Muslim scholars, obeying His commandments and eschewing His prohibition.

Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba stresses his commitment to stick to such principles stating:

"My worship relies on the obedience to the Koraan, the Hadith and the consensus Allah is my Lord, the pure expression of Islam my religion and the best of creatures (Muhammad), my guide.

I'm pleased with Islam as an eternal religion with Muhammad as a Prophet and a Messenger with His (of God) Book, and the House (Kaaba) as a reference; the direction from which I'll never turn away. I've chosen the Koraan as a companion, a guide book according to which I shall worship Him (Allah) until my leaving (i.e. until my death)".

Eventually he adds:

"It is crystal-clear that the attachment to the Book and to the tradition (Hadith) of the Elected (Muhammad) is indeed righteousness properly".

Therefore, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba recommends all the adherents to the Muridiya creed and his disciples to apply themselves to these notions.

"Oh you who are my disciples, be believers obedient Muslims and perfectionists, take the lawful (Halal) and drop away the prohibited and go in search of your need with reservation. Whoever consumes something lawful gets Alla pleased with him. As for the prohibited, it is pleasant to the Devil".

Stupid is he who Paradise without worship, he won't be accepted. Hope in Heaven without obedience to the Sunna of the Redemptor (Muhammad) turns out an illusion.

Last he addresses his disciples in a preach, enlightening his favorite theme: "Oh you my disciples, do listen to me and take this advise: do not transgress the too pure Sharia and manage to carry out all that is available for you of the illuminated "Akhikha" (i.e. spiritual substance of the religion).

The pure Sharia includes the faith in reference to the Tawheed, the right intention and the total submission in accordance with legal branches of "Fikh".

You must, as far as possible, ally that with the implementation of the illuminated Akhikha meaning an exclusive aim at the Face of Allah, The Blessed, The Almighty, whenever carrying out a deed or eschewing a prohibition".

DIVERGENCIES OF THE MUSLIMS AS CAUSE OF THE WEAKNESS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD

A) Historic glance at the origin of the divergence

We start by giving you an historical overview of the origin of these divergences.

1. There can be diversity without divergence. Islam accepts the possible diversity of points of view and opinions and also acknowledges that this does not necessarily lead to a divergence between Muslims.
For example, the sahabas or companions of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) could have on fight (jurisprudence) or in any other domain of life, different points of view; but there was within each one of them a rallying will, no matter what the topic of discussion was and there always was a consensus sought for.

Furthermore, Allah has warned the Muslim against the consequences of divergence and that is what we can learn from verse 46 of the surah "Al Anfal".

2. The appearance of divergence between Muslims

*In the theological and legal fields

After the passing away of the four Khalifs, the Muslims have started wandering away from the teachings and practices of the Prophet (PBUH). Therefrom started divergences between them. This began with the birth of different trend in the theological fields such as:
a. The shiits who considered the Khalif Ali and his descendents as the legitimate successors of the Prophet (PBUH) to insure the continuation of his message.
b. The kharijits, who separated from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) after signing the treaty he had negotiated with Muawiyya.
c. The sunny Muslims, who considered that the succession to the Khalifa (leadership) should be done democratically and its organization was normally done up to that point.

B. On the ritual field

On the legal side there was many schools of thought and ritual practices:
- the hanafit school
- the malikit school
- the shafiit school
- the hanbalit school

Theologically, all these schools belonged to the sunny group. Next to them were other schools born either in the kharijit or shiit group.
Despite their fundamental differences in ritual matters, these schools nevertheless respected the points of view of their adversaries.

It is afterwards that theological and legal differences have been exploited by other Muslims and this continues to this day. And we have seen in the same city or same Mosque confrontations between Muslims just because they were of a different persuasion. At its birth the primary objective of Islamic mysticism was uniting those different trends and tendencies. Its proponents had as their main goal the Unity of Islam. Unfortunately, with the birth and development of Islamic brotherhoods, some of them because of ignorance or personal interests ended up increasing the conflicts and deepening the divergence between Muslims.

This divergence between Muslims was like a gift, handed to the enemies of Islam, who exploited it to establish the policy of "dividing to better conquer" and this is what explains the weakness and the lagging behind of Muslims around the world.

C. The solution put forward by Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba

1. About the rituals

Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba recognized the title of Imam for the four legal and ritual schools because they followed the teachings and tradition of the Prophet (PBUH). Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba recognized the legacy of those schools. But when there was difference of opinions on a given subject, he adopted the solutions of the best school in dealing with that particular matter.

As to his disciples who could not always recognize the best solution from those four schools, the Shaykh advised them to follow the malikite ritual, but also recommended them to respect the other schools and their members. For him, belonging to one school or another should not be a cause for divergence or conflict.

2. About the islamic brotherhoods

To prevent the possible conflicts that could be caused by the fanateism of some members of different brotherhoods, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba has said in "Massalik Al Jinan": Each wird leads the practicing Muslim to the divine presence of Allah without deviation; regardless weather such a wird came from "Al Jilani (Shaykh Abd Al Qadir) or from Ahmad At-Tijani or another one of qutbs (spiritual poles), May Allah be satisfied with them, because they are all in the right direction. Each one of them calls the postulants and urges them to worship the Master of the throne (Allah), wherever they may be.
The Shaykh warned us again, saying:
"All the wirds are in keeping with rectitude and spiritual probity; be careful not to disregard or criticize any of the, during your satire life".

Conclusion

We have, to the best of our ability, attempted to show that Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba was one of the revivers of Islam as predicted by the Prophet (PBUH) in Hadith.
We also have proved that he has done everything possible to prevent the occurrence of conflicts due to the existence of brotherhoods, rituals or school of Islamic law.

Furthermore, he has addressed to Allah various prayers to that effect (cf. "Matlabous Shifaahi" verse 43):
"- Unite our hopes!
- Protect us from (dividing up into) tendencies and clans
- Incite us to love (for your sake) all Muslims, male and female".

These prayers amply show that Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba was very concerned about Unity in the Islamic world. His disciples on their part, as one can see around the world, are determined to convey and practice that message at all times.

Thank you and may the peace and the blessings of the Almighty Allah be unto you.