The Tijjani Order (الطريقة التجانية)
The Tijjani order (Arabic: الطريقة التجانية, romanized: al-Ṭarīqa al-Tijāniyya) is a Sufi order of Sunni Islam named after Ahmad al-Tijani. It originated in Algeria and is now widespread in Maghreb, West Africa—particularly in Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Chad, Ghana, Northern and Southwestern Nigeria, and parts of Sudan. It is also present in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka in India.
Its adherents are called Tijānī (spelled Tijaan or Tiijaan in Wolof, Tidiane or Tidjane in French). Tijānīs emphasize culture, education, and the individual adhesion of the disciple (murid). To join, one must receive the Tijānī wird, a sequence of holy phrases, from a muqaddam (order representative).
History and Spread of the Order
Foundation of the Order
Ahmad al-Tijani (1737–1815) was born in Aïn Madhi, Algeria, and died in Fes, Morocco. He founded the Tijānī order in the 1780s, with sources placing its origin between 1781–1784.
Expansion in West Africa
- Brought to southern Mauritania around 1789 by Muḥammad al-Ḥāfiẓ of the 'Idaw `Ali tribe.
- His disciple Sidi Mawlūd Vāl initiated:
- Omar Saidou Tall (19th-century Fulɓe leader)
- ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Nāqil from Futa Jalon (Guinea)
Umar Tall, instructed by Muḥammad al-Ghālī in Mecca (1828–1830), was made Caliph of Aḥmed al-Tijānī for Western Sudan. His jihad led to the Toucouleur Empire in Senegal and Mali. Though short-lived politically, it ensured the Tijānī order's spread.
Key Senegalese Branches
- Malick Sy: Founded a zāwiya in Tivaouane (1902); his lineage continues as Caliphs.
- Màbba Jaxu Ba: Spread Tijānīyya to southern Senegal (Saalum).
- Abdoulaye Niass (1840–1922): Established Tijānīya in Kaolack, forming the largest Tijānī branch: Tijāniyyah Ibrāhīmiyyah (Faydah) via Ibrahim Niass in 1930.
- Medina Baye: Global center for the Faydah movement.
- Other branches:
- Medina-Gounass (Mamadou Saidou Ba)
- Thienaba (Amadou Sekhou)
Hamālliyya branch (Hamālliyya): Founded by Hamahullah bin Muhammad bin Umar, centered in Nioro, Mali.
Cherno Muhammadou Jallow's Legacy in Senegambia
- First to receive the Tijaniyya in Senegambia.
- Spread through 12 disciples including:
- Mam Mass Kah (Medina Mass Kah)
- Abdoulaye Niass (Medina Kaolack)
- Others in Senegal and Kolda
- His grandson, Cherno Baba, later founded Sobouldeh and established an annual Ziarre.
Practices
- Initiates receive the Tijānī wird from a muqaddam.
- Requirements:
- Maintain Five Pillars of Islam
- Respect parents
- Exclusivity to the Tijāniyya order
- Daily recitation of wird: shahada, istighfar, and Salat al-Fatih
- Participation in:
- Wazifah: Group dhikr daily
- Haylalat al-Jum'ah: Friday remembrance
- Daayira: Local dhikr gatherings (especially Thursdays)
Mawlid (Gàmmu)
- Celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad
- Occurs night before the 12th of Rabīʿ al-Awwal
- Large events in Tivaouane, Kaolack, Kano, Prang, Fadama, etc.
- Includes:
- Dhikr, poetry, and religious speeches
- All-night vigils
See Also
- Sufism(#)
- Wazifa(#)
- Lazimi(#)
- Salat al-Fatih(#)
- List of Sufi Orders(#)
- Muslim Brotherhoods of Senegal(#)
- Ahmad At Tijânî Ibn Bâba Al 'Alawî(#)
- Abubakre Sidiq Bello(#)
Notes and References
- Brenner, Louis (2000), "Amadou Hampâté Bâ: Tijânî Francophone."
- Davidson, Basil (1995), Africa in History.
- Klein, Martin A. (1968), Islam and Imperialism in Senegal.
- Robinson, David (1985), The Holy War of Umar Tall.
- Triaud, Jean-Louis (2000), "La Tijâniyya, une confrérie musulmane pas comme les autres?"
- Triaud & Robinson, eds. (2000), La Tijâniyya: Une confrérie musulmane à la conquête de l'Afrique.
- WorldStatesmen - Mali Traditional States
- Abdelaziz Benabdallah’s Works and translations (in Arabic and French)
Further Reading
- Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. (1965). The Tijaniyya: A Sufi Order in the Modern World. London.