Brief Biography & Compendium of Literature/Writings of the
Greatest Figure of Islam and the Tijaniyya in 20th Century Africa
PLEASE NOTE: This work was originally published by Isma'eel Bakare https://bayeniasse.blogspot.com. We at https://faydahdiary.blogspot.com are sharing it to commemorate birthday of Maolana Sahibul-Faydah AsSheikh Ibrahim AbduLlahi Niasse el-Kaolakhy
Culled from:
Arabic Literature of Africa (ALA), Volume IV: The Writings of
Western Sudanic Africa (Chapter Six, Senegambia I: The Niassene
Tradition, By Prof. Ousmane Kane, Prof. John Hunwick, and
Prof. Rudiger Seesemann), pgs 279-301.
Shaykh Ibrahim ibn Abd Allah ibn Muhammad Niyas al-Kawlakhi,
known as Shaykh Ibrahım Niasse, or Baye Niyas, and in Nigeria and
Ghana as Shehu Kawlaha, b. 15 Rajab 1320/17 October 1900, d. 17
Rajab 1395/26 July 1975.
Without a doubt, one of the greatest figures of Islam and the
Tijaniyya in twentieth century Africa, Shaikh Ibrahim was born in
Taïba Niassene, a village founded by his father Abd Allah Niyas, from
whom he received all his education.
After his father’s death in 1922, the Niassene Tijani community and
family was headed by his brother Muhammad. In 1929 however, a split occurred in the community when Sh. Ibrahım claimed to be the spiritual successor of Ahmad al-Tijani and established a community of his own.
Throughout the 1930s his following was largely limited to Senegal, though by the late 1930s he had a following in Mauritania. After World War II however, he recruited quite a large following in West Africa, particularly in Northern Nigeria, but also in Niger, Mali, Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, even in the Sudan. So much so that, by the end of colonial rule, his following, which he named Jama’at Ansar al-dın, was probably the largest single Muslim community in West Africa, with several million followers.
He himself has been the subject of many writings of praise by his followers, and of criticism by his opponents.
He was one of the earliest West African leaders with wide connections throughout the Islamic world. He was a founding member of the
Muslim World League based in Mecca, and served as Vice-President of the World Muslim Congress based in Karachi, Pakistan, for a number of years.
He was also a member of the Academy of Islamic Research at al-Azhar University.
A religious and political leader, Sheikh Ibrahım Niasse was also involved in Senegalese politics both during colonial rule and afteri ndependence. A learned Muslim juris consult, he delivered
great many fatwas and and wrote many text books designed for students.
Also as a Sufi and a Tijanı, he wrote a large number of poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad and Sheikh Ibrahım’s spiritual master Shaikh Ahmad al-Tijanı. In the preface to al-Dawawın al-sitt, his genealogy is traced back over eighteen generations to Uqba ibn Nafi.
COMPENDIUM OF LITERATURE/WRITINGS OF SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASS
1. AFDAL AL-DA’AWAT LI-BULUGH AL-GHAYAT WA-NAYL AL-MASARRAT
Publ. n.p. [Kano], n.d.; Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, c. 1987; Dakar, by Muhammad al-Ma’mün Niasse, 1988.
2. ARBA’ QASA’ID (FOUR POEMS)….praising and invoking the Prophet
i) Q. LAMIYYA: Jama’ta wa-judan haybatan wa-jalala * Waabsarta min dha bahjatan wa-jamala
Composed whilst on his way to Beijing, October 1963, responding to an invitation by the head of the Islamic community there, Burhan al-Dın.
ii) Q. NUNIYYA: Dumu’un ka-raqraq al-lujayni tubarhinu * Ala sidqi shawqı baynama ’l-waqtu mawhinu
Composed in Madına, 10 Dhü’l-Hijja 1383/ 23 April 1964.
iii) Q. RA’IYYA: Huwa’l-hibbu Ibrahımu qad ja’a za’ira * Li-Ahmada khayr al-alamına wa-shakira
Uttered in Medina in the same year.
iv) Q. BA’IYYA: Wa-in sa’alu qad zurtum al-farma aqiba * Wa-hal
at’haf al-zuwwaru minhu mawahiba
Composed in Aswan, Egypt, 16 May, 1964.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1384/1964.
3. BAHTH FI THUBUT RU’YAT AL-HILAL
On the question of sighting the new moon to mark the beginning of a
month (especially Ramadan).
Publ. ed. Sh. al-Tijanı b. Alı Cissé, Casablanca: M al-Najat al-jadıda,
1996. Abridgt. by author, Kashf al-ghumma.
4. AL-BAYAN WA’L-TABYIN FI ’L-TIJANIYYA WA’L-
TIJANIYYIN (EXPOSITIONS AND EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
ON THE TIJANIYYAH ORDER AND ITS ADHRENTS)
Publ. by Muhammad al-Ma’mün b. Ibrahım Niasse, Dakar, 1988;
Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d. [c. 1997].
5. AL-BUDUR AL-SUTTA’ FI SHARH AL-MURHAFAT AL-QUTTA’
Comm. on al-Murhafat al-quttafi by Muhammad Niasse, written in
Ramadan 1347/ February 1930.
6. DA’WA ILA WAHDAT AL-MUSLIMIN FI ’L-SINIGHAL
7. AL-DAWAWIN AL-SITT
A collection of six dıwans of Sh. Ibrahım Niasse totalling 2,972 verses, followed by a seventh entitled Nur al-haqq fi madh alladhı ja’a bi’l-
sidq, composed in Rabi’ I 1379/4 September - 4 October 1959 —all poems in praise of the Prophet.
At the foot of the page are explanatory notes by Abü Bakr Atıq
(see ALA II, 287) and Muhammad al-Thani b. al-Hasan (Sani
Kafanga, see ALA II, 304), partly based on the work of Sh. Mahmüd Salga, with additional help from Sh. Ali Cissé.
The diwans contained in the volume are as follows:
I) TAYSIR AL-WUSUL ILA HADRAT AL-RASUL
II) IKSIR AL-SA’ADAT FI MADH SAYYID AL-SADAT
III) SALWAT AL-SHUJUN FI MADH AL-NABI AL-MA’MUN
IV) AWTHAQ AL-URA FI MADH KHAYR AL-WARA
V) SHIFA’ AL-ASQAM FI MADH KHAYR AL-ANAM
VI) MANASIK AHL AL-WIDAD FI MADH KHAYR AL-IBAD
Publ. n.p. [Dakar], by Mu˛ammad al-Ma’mün Niasse; Beirut: Mk. al-
Thaqafiyya - Khartoum: Mk. al-Tawfıq, 1415/ 1995 [also containing Kanz al-arifın fi madh sayyid al-awwalin wa’l-akhirin,
and Nur al-haqq fi madh alladhı ja’a bi’l-sidq].
8. FAT’H MAKKA
Extract of the author’s Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Alliluni bi-fathi Makkata shamsa * Li-hurubi ’l-Hadi bi-duni
qitali
9. AL-FAYD AL-AHMADI FI ’L-MAWLID AL-MUHAMMADI
Publ. Kano, n.d.; Bola Print, n.d.; also publ. in al-Majmu’ al-kamila
li-a’mal al-mawlid al-nabawi.
10. AL-FAYDA AL-JARIYA FI MA’ANI AL-ISLAM WA’L-TARIQA
AL-TIJANIYYA
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d.
11. HADIQAT AL-ANWAR FI-MA IHTAWA ALAYHI QAWA’ID
AL-ISLAM MIN AL-HIKAM WA’L-ASRAR
Address given at the Emir’s palace, Kano.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
12. AL-HIJRA AL-KUBRA WA-TASHAWWUQ AL-NAZIM ILA
TILKA ’L-BIQA’
Extract of Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Fa-ata Taybatan bi-amri ilahı * Qawiya ’l-Mustafa bi-tilka ’l-
hijalı
13. AL-HIKAM AL-QUTBIYYA AL-MA’KHUDHA MIN AL-QALAM AL-SIRINBIYYA
Comm. on Surat al-Fatiha and some other Qur’anic verses
by Sh. Ibrahım Niasse, compiled by his brother Abu Bakr, known as
Serigne Mbaye (hence in the title: ma’khudha min al-qalam alsirinbiyya).
An appendix contains a short statement by Sh. Ibrahim, justifying his
claims to be a wali and a qutb.
14. AL-HUJJA AL-BALIGHA FI KAWN IDHA’AT AL-QUR’AN
SA’IGHA (THE CONCLUSIVE ARGUMENT CONCERNING
RECITING THE QUR’AN ON THE RADIO)
Argument in favour of the recitation of the Qur’an being broadcast,
reflecting a controversy in Nigeria. The Emir of Zaria, Ja’far b.
Ishaq, had argued against it (see ALA II, 360).
Publ. Cairo: M. Mustafa al-Babi al-halabi, 1375/1956 (with poems
of taqriz by three disciples of Shaykh Niasse); Beirut: Markaz al-
Abjadiyya li’l-Saff al-Taswiri, 1401/1981; Dakar, n.d. [c. 1988] by
Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, 1988.
15. IFADAT AL-MURID FI ’L-JAWAB ALA AS’ILAT
MUHAMMAD B. MUHAMMAD AL-‘ID
Responses to 26 questions on Tijani practice raised by a
Tijani muqaddam.
Publ. Kano, for al-hajj Ali b. Malam Hamza; and in Jawahir al-
rasa’il.
16. IFRIQIYYA LI’L-IFRIQIYYIN (AFRICA FOR THE
AFRICANS)
Response to an article by Archbishop Lefebvre of Dakar which
appeared in La France catholique of 19 December 1959, attacking
Islam and African nationalism. Analysis in Samb (1972), 223-6.
Publ. Lagos: Times Press, 15 Ramadan 1379/13 March 1960; trans
Gane Samb Lo, L’Afrique aux Africains, with Lumieres sur la
Tijaniyya, and Les Trois etales de la religion, Saint-Louis: Association
Sciences et Services dans l’Islam Eternel, 2001.
17. IJABAT FATWA FI TAHAFUT AL-SUFIYYA
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1964.
18. IRSHAD AL-SARIN ILA ‘ADAM AL-HARIN
On the question as to whether or not zakat has to be paid on groundnut (Wolof: harin) crops, written in 1355/1936.
19. JAMI’ JAWAMI’ AL-DAWAWIN (A COLLECTION OF COLLECTIONS OF POEMS)
A collection of collections of poems by Sh. Ibrahim, selected by Ibrahim Balarabe Jega (see ALA II, 244) from the “Great Diwan”
established by Sh. Ali Sisay (Cissé), apparently in 1374/1954.
The collections contained in this volume are as follows:
I) JABR AL-KASR
II) TUHFAT ATYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADAHI AL-QUTB SIDI ABI’L-ABBAS
III) JALA’ AL-SUDUR FI MADH AL-SHAYKH AL-BUHUR WA-MARATHIHIM
IV) NAWADIR AL-HIKAM LI-SAHIB JAMI’ AL-KALIM WA-WASAYA ’L-MURIDIN WA-TULLAB AL-‘ILM
V) MIFTAH AL-‘ATIYYA FI ’L-ISTIGHATHAT BI-KHAYR AL-BARIYYA WA-BI-WALIDIHI SAHIB AL-KHATMIYYA WA’L-KATMIYYA
VI) AL-KIBRIT AL-AHMAR FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI-AWA’IL AL-SUWAR WA-BI-HURUF AL-AYAT AL-GHURAR
VII) TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-ABBAS
Publ. Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1979; [Cairo]: Dar al-Nahar,
n.d. [1996].
20. JAWAB ‘AN RISALAT BA‘D AL-MUNTAMIN ILA’L-’ILM
(ALSO CALLED “RISALAT ILA NIAMEY”)
Publ. Kano, Northern Maktabat Press, 1395/1975.
21. JAWAHIR AL-RASA’IL
A collection of short prose works by Sh. Ibrahim Niyas, edited and published by Ahmad Abu ’l-Fat’h b. Ali al-Yarwawi in 2 vols.
(see ALA II, 400).
22. KANZ AL-ARIFIN FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-AWWALIN WA’L-AKHIRIN
Publ. in al-Dawawin al-sitt, Beirut: Mk. al-Thaqafiyya - Khartoum:
Mk. al-Tawfiq, 1415/ 1995.
23. KASHF AL-GHUMMA FI RAF’ MIRA ULAMA AL-UMMA FI IKHTILAFIHIM FI ’L-AHILLA
Treatise on the question of establishing agreed dates for the beginning
and end of Ramadan. Abridged version of Bahth fi thubut ru’yat al-hilal.
Publ. Kano, n.d.
24. KASHIF AL-ILBAS AN FAYDAT AL-KHATM ABI ’L-
ABBAS (REMOVING ALL THE AMBIGUITIES ABOUT THE
SPIRITUAL FLOOD OF THE SEAL OF THE SAINTS) ABU AL-
ABBAS) (AHMAD AT-TIJANI).
Completed 18 Muharram 1350/5 June 1931, with a dhayl written on 8
Muharram 1351/14 May 1932. Written to promote the Tijaniyya, and
to justify his claim to being the “master of spiritual emanation” (sahib
al-fayda).
Publ. Casablanca, n.d.; Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1371/ 1952,
1380/1961, 251; n.p., 1988; Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d. [c. 1996]; repr.,
Kano by Muhammad Salgha, 1971; repr. Dakar, by Muhammad al-
Ma’mun, 1988; Publ.by al-Hajj Ahmad Rifa’i al-K-t-bi [Nigeria],
1371/ 1952.
25. AL-KHAMR AL-HALAL FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-RIJAL
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
26. AL-KHITAB AL-SANAWI
Address for the Prophet’s Birthday, delivered in Kaolack, 1384/1964.
Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d., followed by Q. ra’iyya:
Waliyyukum awliya’ Allah
Publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
27. KHUTAB (ADDRESSES/SPEECHES)
Many of Sh. Ibrahim Niyas’s addresses are contained in Jawahir al-
rasa’il . Those listed below are known independently.
I) ON THE OCCASION OF THE MARRIAGE OF ONE OF HIS DAUGHTERS.
MS: Dakar (IFAN), Fonds Amar Samb, Discours, 2d.
II) AL-KHUTBA AL-HAMIDA AL-JAMI’A LI’L-HIKAM AL-
MUFIDA
Speech given at Kaduna in 1391/ 1971.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., 1391/1971-2.
III) KHUTBA JALILA.
On the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday.
Publ. Lagos: Times Press, 1380/1960; Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d;
also publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
IV) AL-KHUTBA AL-MURITANIYYA (MAURITANIAN SPEECH)
Delivered in January 1968.
Publ. Kano: Oluseyi Press, 1388/1968.; also publ. in Jawahir al-
rasa’il.
V) DELIVERED IN KAOLACK AT A FESTIVAL OF ISLAMICS CHOOLS.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d.; also in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
VI) DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE PROPHET’S
BIRTHDAY (AL MAWLID AL-NABAWI) IN 1384/1964.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press. 1384/1964.
28. AL-MAJMU’A AL-KAMILA LI-A’MAL AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
Contains:
I) MAJMU’ QASA’ID AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
II) AL-FAYD AL-AHMADI FI ’L-MAWLID AL-MUHAMMADI
III) NUR AL-BASAR FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-BASHAR
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
29. MAJMU’ QASA’ID AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
Collection of seven poems celebrating the Prophet’s birthday.
Publ. Kano: Oluseyi Printing Press, 1379/1959-60; Cairo: M. al-
Mash’had al-Husayni, n.d.; Kano, n.d.; n.d. for Muhammad al-
Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse; also publ. in al-Majmu’a al-kamila li
amal al-mawlid al-nabawi
30. MAJMU’ RIHALAT AL-SHAYKH IBRAHIM
Contains accounts of four journeys, partly in prose and partly in verse:
I) AL-RIHLA AL-HIJAZIYYA AL-ULA
II) NAYL AL-MAFAZ BI’L-AWD ILA ’L-HIJAZ
III) AL-RIHLA AL-GANNARIYYA WA’L-KUMASHIYYA
Accounts of two journeys: one into southern Mauritania (Gannar in Wolof), 1371/1951-2, the other to Kumase; see also item 52 below.
iv) NAFAHAT AL-MALIK AL-GHANI FI ’L-SIYAHA FI ARD BAMAKU WA-GHINI, ALSO CALLED AL-RIHLA AL-KUNAKIRIYYA
Publ. n.p., by al-Amin b. Ibrahim Niasse, c 1993; by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d.
31. MAJMU’ THALATHA AJWIBA
Contains two pieces by Sh. Ibrahim, and one by Emir Ja’far of Zaria on the question of broadcasting recitation of the Qur’an; see ALA II,
360, Umar (2002).
32. MAJMU’ THALATHA KHUTAB
Three sermons: for Friday worship, for Id al-fitr and for Id al-ad’ha. Published in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
33. MAJMU’ THALATHA MAJALIS SUNNIYYA MA’THURA AN KHULAFA MURSHID AL-SALIKIN WA-MURABBI AL-MURIDIN AL-QUTB AL-RABBANI WA’L-ARIF AL SAMADANI SIDI AHMAD AL-TIJANI
Texts of speeches given in Kano (1372/1952-3), Katsina (1372/1952-3),and Kaolack (1373/ 1953-4).
Publ. Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1956.
34. MANASIK AL-WIDAD FI MADH KHAYR AL-IBAD
In praise of the Prophet and defence of Tijani litanies.
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt .
35. MAQAMAT AL-DIN AL-THALATHA
Publ. Kumase. n.d.; n.p. [Kano] by al-Hâjj Ibrahim Idris Fantu, 1410/1990.
36. MASARRAT AL-MAJAMI’ FI MASA’IL AL-JAMI’
Written c. 1932 to justify construction of a new Friday mosque.
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6. Published in a modified version as Wajh al-tahqiq fi kawn jami’ Madina huwa ’l-atiq, Casablanca: M.al-Najah al-Jadida, 1996.
37. MIFTAH AL-NASR FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI’L-DHIKR
Poem of intercession through the suras of the Qur’an.
Opens: al-Hamdu mutlaqan li-dhat al-bari * Thumma salamahu ala ’l-mukhtari
38. MIFTAH RAHMAT AL-RAHIM FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI-BI’SMI ’LLAHI AL-RAHMAN AL-RAHIM
Accrostic on Bi’smi ’llahi al-Rahman al-Rahim.
Opens: Bi’smi ’l-ilahi ashkuru ’l-murida * Wa-artaji min fadlihi ’l-mazida
39. MUKHTARAT FI SIRA WA-MANAQIB SHAYKHINA WA-SAYYIDINA ABI’L ABBAS AHMAD AL-TIJANI
Contains three treatises by the author:
I) AL-NUR AL-RABBANI FI SIRAT AHMAD AL-TIJANI
II) TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-ABBAS
III) NASIM AL-RIYAH FI TASHTIR QASIDAT SAYYIDI
IBRAHIM AL-RIYYA’I
Publ. n.p. [Dakar], by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse,1994.
40. NAFAHAT AL-MALIK AL-GHANI FI ’L-SIYAHA FI ARD BAMAKU WA-KUNAKIRI (ALSO KNOWN AS AL-RIHLA AL-KUNAKIRIYYA)
Account of his visits to Bamako and Conakry in 1367/1947.
Opens: Hamdan li-man fi dhikrihi qul siru * Fi ’l-ardi man sara lahu
bashiru
Publ. Kaolack, by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, 1988;
also in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
41. NASIHA MINNI ILA ’L-IKHWAN (ANOTHER TITLE FOR “RUH AL-ADAB [(THE SPIRIT OF (SUFI) ETHICS)]”)
42. NAYL AL-MAFAZ BI’L-AWD ILA ’L-HIJAZ
Poem celebrating his second pilgrimage journey via Lagos, Kano, Rome and Cairo, written in 1370/1951.
Opens: Hamdan li-man allamana fi ’l-Baqarah * Ahkam hajj al-bayti hina dhakarah
Publ. Kano, c. 1384/1964-5; also included in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
43. NASS AL-KALIMA ALLATI ALQAHA IBRAHIM NIYAS FI ARD MARRAKISH FI ’L-HAFLAT ALLATI UQIMAT FI IHDA’QA’AT JAMI’AT AL-QARAWIYYIN BI-MUNASABAT DHIKRA TA’SISIHA
Speech given in 1959 at festivities commemorating the founding of the Qarawiyyin mosque-college in Fez.
Publ. by Muhammad al-Raji, n.p. [Kano?], n.d.
44. NUJUM AL-HUDA FI KAWN NABIYYINA AFDAL MAN DAFIA ILA ’LLAH WA-HADA (THE STARS OF GUIDANCE (ESTABLISHING) PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S POSITION AS THE NOBLEST (OF THOSE) WHO INVITED AND GUIDED TO THE TRUTH).
Publ. Rabat: Imp. Aminiyya, 1962; Ibadan, 1388/1968-9.
Trans: Stars of the Good Way, Paris: Imprimerie de Carthage,
n.d.; Astres de la bonne voie, Paris: Imprimerie de Carthage, n.d.
Mouhammad: l’élu de la création, n.p.{Dakar?]: L’Association
Sciences et Services dans l’Islam Eternel [ASSISE], 2001.
45. NUR AL-BASAR FI MADH SAYYID AL-BASHAR
Verse work on the life of the Prophet.
Publ. Zaria. 1962; also Published in al-Majmu’a al-kamila li-a’mal al-mawlid al-nabawi.
46. NUR AL-HAQQ FI MADH ALLADHI JA’A BI’L-SIDQ
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt, Beirut: Mk. al-Thaqafiyya -
Khartoum: Mk. al-Tawfiq, 1415/ 1995.
47. AL-NUR AL-RABBANI FI SIRAT SI. AHMAD AL-TIJANI
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1964 (with Tayyib al-anfas;
Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d.; also Published in Mukhtarat fi sira wa-manaqib shaykhina wa-sayyidina Abi ’l-fiAbbas Ahmad al- Tijani).
48. NUZHAT AL-ASMA’ WA’L-AFKAR FI MADH AL-AMIN WA-MAFIANI ’L-MUKHTAR (FELICITATION OF THE EARS AND THOUGHTS IN PRAISE OF THE TRUSTWORTHY AND THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHOSEN PROPHET).
Constitutes the six original diwans of his al-Dawawin al-sitt. Later
editions also include Nur al-haqq
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d.
49. Qasa’id
Most of Sh. Ibrahim Niasse’s poems have been published in collections; those listed below are manuscript copies of individual poems.
I) Q. BA’IYYA: Aghith aghith ya mughith al-kawn li kurbi * Bi’l-Mustafa ’l-muntaqa min jumlat al-fiarabi
II) Q. BA’IYYA: Farartu li’l-Kafi ’l-Muhaymin al-Raqib * Fakuffa aydi ’l-baghyi rabbi li raqib
Accrostic of Qur’an 2: 137.
III) Q. BA’IYYA: Kubb al-fiaduwwu fa-inna ’llaha ghalibuhu * Fa’l-mawtu talibuhu wa’l-mawt salibuhu
Poem written to spite his opponents after his party lost an election in the 1950s.
IV) Q. BA’IYYA: A-la rahim al-ilahu akhi wa-hibbi * Aba Bakrin fata’i wa-ra’sa sahib
Elegy for his brother Abu Bakr Serigne Mbaye (c. 1973).
V) Q. DALIYYA; Bala inna hadhi ardu Taha Muhammadi * Fadh aka fiAqiqun dhaka Silfiun wa-Gharqadu
In 26 vv. Dated 13 Dhu’l-˘ijja 1382/7 May 1963, on the way to Madina.
Publ. with Q. Mimiyya: Khayalun sara am inna rakbi yammama, n.p.
[Kano]. n.d.; also Published in Sayr al-qalb.
VI) Q. DALIYYA: Inni ’ttakhadhtu rasul Allahi mustanadi * hissan
wa-mafinan wa-ma arju siwa sanadi
vii) Q. daliyya: Ya rabbana salli fiala Muhammadi * fiAbdika dha
nabiyyika ’l-mumajjadi
viii) Q. daliyya: Mawla ’l-bariyyati bi’l-nabiyyi Muhammadi * Anzil
saha’iba rahmatin li-Muhammadi
Elegy of 28 vv. for his brother Muhammad Zaynab (d. 1366/1947).
IX) Q. FA’IYYA: Laqad ruziqtu widad al-Mustafa wa-safa * Waqti
bi-mawlidihi abitu fiinda Σafa
X) Q. FA’IYYA: Akaftu ala bab al-nabiyyi Muhammadi * Waman
fatani lam ulfa min dhaka asafu
Publ. Text forms the concluding section of R. al-tawba .
XI) Q. HA’IYYA: Ataytu bab ilah al-khalqi multabisa * Bi-hawbati
wa-shani al-fi’li ya Allahu
XII) Q. HAMZIYYA: Uritu bi-khayr al-khalqi khayra mara’i * Nafa
al-shakka wa’l-aswa wa-kulla mira’i
In 40 verses….Publ. n.p. [Kano], n.d., for Thani Abu Bakr dan ‘Afa
(foll. by Q. ya’iyya: Wusulu jami’ al-masikina).
XIII) Q. HAMZIYYA: Li-dha idha amma khawfun kulla anha’i *
Bi’l-Mustafa artaji amni wa-i’la’i
XIV) Q. LAMIYYA: Li-dha ’ntasartu bi-mansur al-ilahi mala(*)dhi fi
’l khutubi habibu ’llahi jalla ‘ala
XV) Q. HAMZIYYA: Li-Taha nabiyyi ’l-anbiya’i thana’i * Biwaqti
iqtirabi mithla waqti tana’i
Written in Jeddah, 3 Dhu ’l-hijja 1387/3 March 1968.
Publ. n.p., n.d., with Q. lamiyya: Rasulu ilah al-‘alamina
XVI) Q. KAFIYYA: Ya sa’ilan hal Malikun qad zakka * Gerte
fahabbu gerte lam yuzakka
On the question of whether zakat is to be paid on peanut crops.
XVII) Q. LAMIYYA: Rasulu ilah al-‘alamina ta’ala * Khadimuka
nada ya rasulu ta’ala
In 9 verses. written on 5 Jumada 1386/22 August 1966.
Publ. n.p., n.d., with Q. hamziyya: Li-Taha nabiyyi ’l-anbiya’I thana’i; also Published in Sayr al-qalb.
XVIII) Q. MIMIYYA: Khayalun sara am inna rakbi yammama *Mawatina khayr al-nasi li’l-sayri sammama
Composed as he was preparing to depart by air for his tenth pilgrimage, and completed whilst at Mina on the second day of the pilgrimage, i.e. 13 Dhu’l-hijja 1382/7 May 1963.
Publ. n.p. [Kano], for Sh. Ahmad al-Tijani Uthman and Sh. Abu Bakr
Atiq, n.d., with Q. daliyya: Bala inna hadhi ardu Taha Muhammadi.
XIX) Q. MIMIYYA: Muhammaduna ’l-Mushri ataka himamu * Wa-
arju min al-Mawla ataka maramu
Elegy for Muhammad al-Mushri (or -Mishri), a prominent
Mauritanian disciple, in 12 verses, written while on his deathbed in St
Thomas’s Hospital, London in 1975, and recited over the telephone to
Kaolack.
Publ. at end of his R. al-tawba, Kano, n.d.
XX) Q. MIMIYYA: Qad shaba shawq al-nabiyyi ’l-Mustafa adami *
Fa-hal tasilanna min bafid al-dumu’i dami
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin.
XXI) Q. NUNIYYA: Inni ’sta’jartu ’l-dahra bi’l-Muhaymini * Bidha
’l-jiwari huztu kulla ma’mani
XXII) Q. NUNIYYA: Laja’tu ila ’l-mawla ’l-fialiyyi jalla sha’nuhu *
Li-daf’i wa-jalbi qad kafani hisnuhu
XXIII) Q. NUNIYYA: Rabbi bi-jahi mujmi’ al-shu’uni * Fa’kshif
kurubi aslihan shu’uni
XXIV) Q. QAFIYYA: Wajjahtu wajhi li’l-Qadim al-Baqi * La
darrani hasadu dhi ’l-nifaqi
Accrostic of Qur’an 40: 44, composed in 1362/1942-3.
XXV) Q. RA’IYYA: Wathiqtu bi-khayri ’l-khalqi ‘abdi ’l-Mudabbiri
* Nuzul al-nada li’l-qani’ina wa-mu’tari
XXVI) Q. WAWIYYA: Muhammadun kullu ma fi ’l-rusli fihi tuwi *
Muhammadun faza minhu al-misru wa’l-badwi
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin, 12.
XXVII) Q. YA’IYYA: Wusulu jamifi al-masikina bi-habliya *
Tahaqqaqahu man lam yukadhdhib bi-rabbiya
Publ. at end of Q. hamziyya: Uritu bi-khayr al-khalqi
XXVIII) Q FI ’L-ISTIGHATHA
Opens: Rabbi tarani ba’isan faqira* fa’rham rahimi ’l-ba’is alfaqira.
Acrostic of Qur’ân 28:24……..Publ. n.p. [Ghana], n.d.
XXIX) Q. AL-HIRZ AL-MANI’
Opens: Inna li farhatan bi-dhikr al-nabi * hubbuhu sara zahiri wa-khafi.
XXX) Q. FI RITHA’ AKHIHI ABI BAKR
Opens: Fa-khatbun khalilun ‘azzani ‘indahu ’l-sabru * Mamatuhabibin ‘umruhu ’l-fawzu wa’l-nasru.
Publ. Dakar: n.d.
XXXI) URJUZA: hasbi ’l-Muhayminu wa-hasbi ’l-Waqi * hasbi ’l-
Qadimu ’llahu hasbi ’l-Baqi
Acrostic of Qur’an 3:173, composed in 1360/1941-2.
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin.
XXXII) URJUZA: Rabb al-‘ibadi Ghafir al-dhunubi * Wa-qabil al-tawbi bi-taqabbuli tawbi Accrostic on Qurfian, 23:29, Rabbi anziln iqmunzalan mubarakan wa-anta khayr al-munzilina Publ. at end of ‘Umar b. Sa’id al-Futi, Safinat al-sa’ada, Dakar, 1997.
50. RAF ‘AL-MALLAM AN MAN QABADA WA RAFA 'A IQTIDA’AN BI KHAYR AL-ANAM. (EXONERATION OF ONE
WHO FOLDS UP (HIS HANDS) AND RAISES THEM UP (IN PRAYER) FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEST OF MANKIND).
Probably written in the early 1940s, it sparked off considerable controversy.
Publ. Cairo: M. al-Mash’had al-husayni, n.d. (copy in NU/Paden,
272).
51. RAWD AL-MUHIBBIN FI MADH SAYYID AL-FIARIFIN
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
52. AL-RIHLA AL-HIJAZIYYA AL-ULA
Account of his first pilgrimage in 1355/1935.
Publ: Kano, 1960; Kano: M. al-Amiriyya, 138[0?], for Muhammad_an Jinjiri b. al-hajj fiAbd al-Rahman. with Nayl al-mafaz and Tadhkira man kanu; Kano: M. al-Amiriyya, 1384/1964-5,with Nafahat al-Malik al-Ghani and Nayl al-mafaz; also included in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
53. AL-RIHLA AL-GANNARIYYA WA’L-KUMASHIYYA
Accounts of two journeys: one into southern Mauritania (Gannar in Wolof), 1371/1951-2, the other to Kumase.
Published in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
54. RISALAT ILA AMIR KANU MUHAMMAD AL-SANUSI
On the occasion of the deposition of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad al-Sanusi, naming him a khalifa of his.Published in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
55. RISALAT ILA BA’D AL-IKHWAN
Disowning any disciple whose conduct might be in conflict with the shari’a.
Publ. Kano: n.d., for al-hajj Rabi’ b. al-hajj Zakariyya Mai Riga.
56. RISALAT ILA NIYAMI
Written c. 1975 to address problems similar to those tackled in R. al tawba.
Publ. Kano: M. Yan Kasa, n.d. [c. 1975]; n.p. [Lagos]: Thani Awwal.
Also publ. as Jawab li-Ibrahim al- Kawlakhi ajaba bihi fi an risalat
bafid al-muntamin ila ’l-fiilm, Kano: Northern Maktabat Press,
1395/1975.
57. RISALAT NAFI’A
Written in 1386/1966……Publ. by Malam Ibrahim b. Malam fiAbd Allah, n.p. [Kano], n.d.
58. RISALAT AL-QUR’AN
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1388/1968.
59. RISALAT AL-TAWBA
Written 8 Jumada II 1395/18 June 1975. Addressed to his Nigerian followers warning them against the false claims made by a Nigerian adversary of the Tijaniyya to the effect that Sh. Ibrahim’s Urjuzat al tawba amounted to a declaration of his having abandoned the Tijaniyya.
The text of the poem is given at the end.
Publ. Beirut: M. Dar al-Kutub, 1975 (copy in UBMIA/TIJ, 70).;
Lagos: Multazam al-Tabfi al-hajj Thani Awwal, n.d.; n.p. [Kano],
for al-hajj Muhammad al-Thani fiUthman, n.d. (followed by
a wasiyya and Sh. Ibrahim’s last poem, his elegy for Muhammad al-
Mushri).
60. RUH AL-ADAB LI-MA HAWAHU MIN HIKAM WA-ADAB
Urjuza, written in 1342/1922-3.
Opens: Yaqulu Ibrahimu najl al-hajji * ‘Abd al-ilahi badrina ’l-
wahhaji
Publ. Litho,. n.p., n.d; Medina: Dar al-Madina al-Munawwara, n.d;
also Published in ‘Ali Cissé, Bughyat al-salikin.
61. RU’YA
Report of a vision (dated 1382/1963) in which Sh. Ibrahim Niasse advised the Emir of Kano Muhammad al-Sanusi to handle the problems facing him with steadfast patience, and a request for people to pray for al-Sanusi’s success.
62. SABIL AL-SALAM FI IBQA’ AL-MAQAM
In support of leaving the Maqam Ibrahim at the Ka’ba in its original place, after suggestions that it should be moved to a new location within the Sacred Mosque.
Publ. n.p., 1963; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d. [c.1413/1993]).
63. AL-SARIM WA’L QADIB FI QATFI AWHAM AHL AL-SALIB
Opens: Wahyun ataka min al-ilah al-a’zami * La rayba fi hadha li-ghayri jahannami
64. SAYR AL-QALB LI-MADH AL-MUSTAFA AL-HIBB ILA HADRAT AL-RABB
The last diwan of Sh. Ibrahim Niyas.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d., for al-hajj Dan Jinjiri b. al-hajj ‘Abd al-Rahman Mai Adua; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press,1976. Cassette tape containing extracts recited by Mouhammad Taha Abdoulaye Ibrahima Niass, published by al-Ruwwad li’l-intaj al-fanni wa’l-tawzifi, Cairo, 1998.
65. AL-SHAYKH AL-TIJANI HUWA ’L-QUTB AL-MAKTUM
On the spiritual position of Sh. Ahmad al-Tijani, based on a document written in ‘Ayn Madi, which Sh. Ibrahim found in his father’s papers.
Publ. n.p. [Kano?], n.d.
66. SHIFA’ AL-ASQAM FI MADH SAYYID AL-ANAM
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt as Shifa’ al-asqam fi madh khayr al-anam; and in Nuzhat al-asma’.
67. SILAH AL-SALIHIN FI NUHUR AL-A’DA’ AL-TALIHIN
Poems, accrostic of Qur’an, 40:44.
Opens: Wuqitu sharra ’l-insi mafia ’l-jinni * Li-anna sayyida ’l-wara mujinni
68. AL-SIRR AL-AKBAR WA’L-KIBRIT AL-AHMAR
On the doctrine and merits of the Tijaniyya.
Published in Mai Gari (1981), 410-59.
69. TABSIRAT AL-ANAM FI ANNA AL-FIILM HUWA AL-IMAM (SHOWING THE PEOPLE THAT (ACQUISITION OF)
KNOWLEDGE IS THE LEADER OF ALL OBLIGATIONS).
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
70. TABSIRAT AL-ANAM FI JAWAZ RU’YAT AL-BARI FI ’L-YAQ÷A WA’L-MANAM
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
71. TAFSIR MA’ANI AL-QUR’AN AL-KARIM
Boxed set of 62 cassette tapes in two volumes of sessions of exegesis of the Qur’an in Wolof given by Sh. Ibrahim Niyas between 1950 and 1960. Introduction by Ibrahim M. Diop, personal secretary to Sh. Ibrahim. Produced by Saite Sall Family Inc., New York.
72. TANBIH AL-ADHKIYA’ FI KAWN AL-SHAYKH AL-TIJANI KHATIM AL-AWLIYA
Publ. Cairo: Mußtafa al-Babi al-halabi, 1959; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d, 25.
73. AL-TAQA AL-DHARRIYYA AL-MUWAJJAHA LI-A’DA’KHAYR AL-BARIYYA
Acrostic on Qur’an 3: 147.
Opens: Rabb al-Amin wa-rabb al-Mustafa wa-kafa * Fa ’ghfir dhunuba ‘ubaydin qad ‘asa wa-jafa
74. TAQWIYAT AL-DA’IF FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI’LQUR’AN AL-SHARIF
Opens: Fa’s’al al-mawla bi-khayr al-nasi * al-Faliq al-isbahi ka ’l-miqbasi
75. TAWSI’AT AL-‘ILM WA’L-‘IRFAN LI’L-SHUYUKH WA’L-SHUBBAN
Address delivered in Kano in 1391/1971-2.
Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d. [c. 1972].
76. TAWSIYAT AL-AHBAB ALLADHINA BA’UDU ‘ANNA WA-TABSHIR
Acrostic on Qur’an 40: 44, composed 22 Shawwal 1375/ 2 June 1956.
Opens: Waliyyukum awliya’ Allahi idh makaru * makran huwa ’llahu mawla ’l-khalqi fa’stabiru
Publ. at end of Khitab sanawi (see no. 27 above).
77. TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-‘ABBAS
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin (see no. 21 above); and in Mukhtarat fi sira wa-manaqib shaykhina wa-sayyidina Abi’l-‘Abbas Ahmad al-Tijani (see no. 39 above); and in al-Nur al-
rabbani fi sirat Si. Ahmad al-Tijani (see no 46 above).
78. TAYSIR AL-WUSUL ILA HADRAT AL-RASUL
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt.
79. TUHFAT AHL AL-HADIRA BI-MA YANFA’ AL-HAJJ SIYYAMA BI’L-TAJIRA
Publ. ed. Sh. al-Tijani b. ‘Ali Cissé, Casablanca: M. al-Najat al-jadida, 1996.
80. TUHFAT AL-ATFAL FI HAQA’IQ AL-AF’AL
On the conjugation of verbs; see Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Nouakchott, n.d., for Muhammad Salim b. Muhammad Mawlud.
81. URJUZAT AL-TAWBA
Poem in 19 verses, composed as he was returning from his sixth pilgrimage in 1377/1958.
Opens: Bi’smi’l-ilahi tubtu inni tubtu * Tubtu li-ma fa’altu aw ma qultu.
Publ. text at back of R. al-tawba .
82. WAFAT AL-MUSTAFA SALLA ’LLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA-SALLAM
Extract of the author’s Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Aflata shams al-dini idh nama Taha * Thumma ‘amm al-wara zalam al-dalali
83. WAJH AL-TAHQIQ FI KAWN JAMI’ MADINA HUWA ’L-ATIQ
Publ. Ed. Sh. al-Tijani b. ‘Ali Cissé, Casablance: M al-Najat al-jadida, 1996.
84. WASIYYA
Last will and testament of Sh. Ibrahim, written 16 Dhu ’l-hijja 1393/
10 January 1974, just over seven months before his death. MS: Copy
of MS in the handwriting of Niasse, 16. Dhu ’l-Hijja 1393/10. Jan.
1974.
Publ. at end of R. al-tawba, Kano, n.d; in Mai Gari (1981), 344-5.
85. WATHIQA FI ’L-TA’ZIYA ‘ALA WAFAT AKHINA AL-HAJJ
AL-TIJANI ‘UTHMAN
Letter of condolence to his Nigerian followers on the death (in December 1970) of Ahmad Tijani ‘Uthman of Kano in a car accident
(see ALA II, 284). The published edition of the letter is followed by an elegy by an otherwise unknown Nigerian, Muhammad Fani b. ‘Ali.
Publ. Kano, n.d.[1390/1971]; copies in NU/Hunwick, 233.1.
86. ZIYADAT AL-JAWAHIR MIN YAWAQIT ALFAZ WA-DURAR HIKAM FI FUNUN ‘ULUM SHATTA
Supplement to Jawahir al-rasa’il.
Publ. ed. Ahmad b. ‘Ali Abu ’l-Fath, n.p. [Maidugari], 1410/1990.
87. TRANSLATIONS IN FRENCH
Translated by Gane Samb Lo.
Trois oeuvres choisies, traduites et annotees de Cheikh Ibrahim Niass: I) LUMIERES SUR LA TIJANIYYA
II) L’AFRIQUE AUX AFRICAINS
III) LES TROIS ETAPES DE LA RELIGION
Publ. n.p. [Dakar]: L’Association Sciences et Services dans l’Islam
éternel [ASSISE], 2001.
88. ‘AQIDAH AHL-AR-RUSUKH (THE CREED OF THE
LEARNED PEOPLE).
Source;
Arabic Literature of Africa (ALA), Volume IV: The Writings of
Western Sudanic Africa (Chapter Six, Senegambia I: The Niassene
Tradition, By Ousmane Kane, John Hunwick, and Rudiger Seesemann), pgs 279-301.
Published by:Brill, Leiden, Boston (2003)
great many fatwas and and wrote many text books designed for students.
Also as a Sufi and a Tijanı, he wrote a large number of poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad and Sheikh Ibrahım’s spiritual master Shaikh Ahmad al-Tijanı. In the preface to al-Dawawın al-sitt, his genealogy is traced back over eighteen generations to Uqba ibn Nafi.
COMPENDIUM OF LITERATURE/WRITINGS OF SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASS
1. AFDAL AL-DA’AWAT LI-BULUGH AL-GHAYAT WA-NAYL AL-MASARRAT
Publ. n.p. [Kano], n.d.; Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, c. 1987; Dakar, by Muhammad al-Ma’mün Niasse, 1988.
2. ARBA’ QASA’ID (FOUR POEMS)….praising and invoking the Prophet
i) Q. LAMIYYA: Jama’ta wa-judan haybatan wa-jalala * Waabsarta min dha bahjatan wa-jamala
Composed whilst on his way to Beijing, October 1963, responding to an invitation by the head of the Islamic community there, Burhan al-Dın.
ii) Q. NUNIYYA: Dumu’un ka-raqraq al-lujayni tubarhinu * Ala sidqi shawqı baynama ’l-waqtu mawhinu
Composed in Madına, 10 Dhü’l-Hijja 1383/ 23 April 1964.
iii) Q. RA’IYYA: Huwa’l-hibbu Ibrahımu qad ja’a za’ira * Li-Ahmada khayr al-alamına wa-shakira
Uttered in Medina in the same year.
iv) Q. BA’IYYA: Wa-in sa’alu qad zurtum al-farma aqiba * Wa-hal
at’haf al-zuwwaru minhu mawahiba
Composed in Aswan, Egypt, 16 May, 1964.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1384/1964.
3. BAHTH FI THUBUT RU’YAT AL-HILAL
On the question of sighting the new moon to mark the beginning of a
month (especially Ramadan).
Publ. ed. Sh. al-Tijanı b. Alı Cissé, Casablanca: M al-Najat al-jadıda,
1996. Abridgt. by author, Kashf al-ghumma.
4. AL-BAYAN WA’L-TABYIN FI ’L-TIJANIYYA WA’L-
TIJANIYYIN (EXPOSITIONS AND EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
ON THE TIJANIYYAH ORDER AND ITS ADHRENTS)
Publ. by Muhammad al-Ma’mün b. Ibrahım Niasse, Dakar, 1988;
Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d. [c. 1997].
5. AL-BUDUR AL-SUTTA’ FI SHARH AL-MURHAFAT AL-QUTTA’
Comm. on al-Murhafat al-quttafi by Muhammad Niasse, written in
Ramadan 1347/ February 1930.
6. DA’WA ILA WAHDAT AL-MUSLIMIN FI ’L-SINIGHAL
7. AL-DAWAWIN AL-SITT
A collection of six dıwans of Sh. Ibrahım Niasse totalling 2,972 verses, followed by a seventh entitled Nur al-haqq fi madh alladhı ja’a bi’l-
sidq, composed in Rabi’ I 1379/4 September - 4 October 1959 —all poems in praise of the Prophet.
At the foot of the page are explanatory notes by Abü Bakr Atıq
(see ALA II, 287) and Muhammad al-Thani b. al-Hasan (Sani
Kafanga, see ALA II, 304), partly based on the work of Sh. Mahmüd Salga, with additional help from Sh. Ali Cissé.
The diwans contained in the volume are as follows:
I) TAYSIR AL-WUSUL ILA HADRAT AL-RASUL
II) IKSIR AL-SA’ADAT FI MADH SAYYID AL-SADAT
III) SALWAT AL-SHUJUN FI MADH AL-NABI AL-MA’MUN
IV) AWTHAQ AL-URA FI MADH KHAYR AL-WARA
V) SHIFA’ AL-ASQAM FI MADH KHAYR AL-ANAM
VI) MANASIK AHL AL-WIDAD FI MADH KHAYR AL-IBAD
Publ. n.p. [Dakar], by Mu˛ammad al-Ma’mün Niasse; Beirut: Mk. al-
Thaqafiyya - Khartoum: Mk. al-Tawfıq, 1415/ 1995 [also containing Kanz al-arifın fi madh sayyid al-awwalin wa’l-akhirin,
and Nur al-haqq fi madh alladhı ja’a bi’l-sidq].
8. FAT’H MAKKA
Extract of the author’s Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Alliluni bi-fathi Makkata shamsa * Li-hurubi ’l-Hadi bi-duni
qitali
9. AL-FAYD AL-AHMADI FI ’L-MAWLID AL-MUHAMMADI
Publ. Kano, n.d.; Bola Print, n.d.; also publ. in al-Majmu’ al-kamila
li-a’mal al-mawlid al-nabawi.
10. AL-FAYDA AL-JARIYA FI MA’ANI AL-ISLAM WA’L-TARIQA
AL-TIJANIYYA
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d.
11. HADIQAT AL-ANWAR FI-MA IHTAWA ALAYHI QAWA’ID
AL-ISLAM MIN AL-HIKAM WA’L-ASRAR
Address given at the Emir’s palace, Kano.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
12. AL-HIJRA AL-KUBRA WA-TASHAWWUQ AL-NAZIM ILA
TILKA ’L-BIQA’
Extract of Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Fa-ata Taybatan bi-amri ilahı * Qawiya ’l-Mustafa bi-tilka ’l-
hijalı
13. AL-HIKAM AL-QUTBIYYA AL-MA’KHUDHA MIN AL-QALAM AL-SIRINBIYYA
Comm. on Surat al-Fatiha and some other Qur’anic verses
by Sh. Ibrahım Niasse, compiled by his brother Abu Bakr, known as
Serigne Mbaye (hence in the title: ma’khudha min al-qalam alsirinbiyya).
An appendix contains a short statement by Sh. Ibrahim, justifying his
claims to be a wali and a qutb.
14. AL-HUJJA AL-BALIGHA FI KAWN IDHA’AT AL-QUR’AN
SA’IGHA (THE CONCLUSIVE ARGUMENT CONCERNING
RECITING THE QUR’AN ON THE RADIO)
Argument in favour of the recitation of the Qur’an being broadcast,
reflecting a controversy in Nigeria. The Emir of Zaria, Ja’far b.
Ishaq, had argued against it (see ALA II, 360).
Publ. Cairo: M. Mustafa al-Babi al-halabi, 1375/1956 (with poems
of taqriz by three disciples of Shaykh Niasse); Beirut: Markaz al-
Abjadiyya li’l-Saff al-Taswiri, 1401/1981; Dakar, n.d. [c. 1988] by
Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, 1988.
15. IFADAT AL-MURID FI ’L-JAWAB ALA AS’ILAT
MUHAMMAD B. MUHAMMAD AL-‘ID
Responses to 26 questions on Tijani practice raised by a
Tijani muqaddam.
Publ. Kano, for al-hajj Ali b. Malam Hamza; and in Jawahir al-
rasa’il.
16. IFRIQIYYA LI’L-IFRIQIYYIN (AFRICA FOR THE
AFRICANS)
Response to an article by Archbishop Lefebvre of Dakar which
appeared in La France catholique of 19 December 1959, attacking
Islam and African nationalism. Analysis in Samb (1972), 223-6.
Publ. Lagos: Times Press, 15 Ramadan 1379/13 March 1960; trans
Gane Samb Lo, L’Afrique aux Africains, with Lumieres sur la
Tijaniyya, and Les Trois etales de la religion, Saint-Louis: Association
Sciences et Services dans l’Islam Eternel, 2001.
17. IJABAT FATWA FI TAHAFUT AL-SUFIYYA
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1964.
18. IRSHAD AL-SARIN ILA ‘ADAM AL-HARIN
On the question as to whether or not zakat has to be paid on groundnut (Wolof: harin) crops, written in 1355/1936.
19. JAMI’ JAWAMI’ AL-DAWAWIN (A COLLECTION OF COLLECTIONS OF POEMS)
A collection of collections of poems by Sh. Ibrahim, selected by Ibrahim Balarabe Jega (see ALA II, 244) from the “Great Diwan”
established by Sh. Ali Sisay (Cissé), apparently in 1374/1954.
The collections contained in this volume are as follows:
I) JABR AL-KASR
II) TUHFAT ATYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADAHI AL-QUTB SIDI ABI’L-ABBAS
III) JALA’ AL-SUDUR FI MADH AL-SHAYKH AL-BUHUR WA-MARATHIHIM
IV) NAWADIR AL-HIKAM LI-SAHIB JAMI’ AL-KALIM WA-WASAYA ’L-MURIDIN WA-TULLAB AL-‘ILM
V) MIFTAH AL-‘ATIYYA FI ’L-ISTIGHATHAT BI-KHAYR AL-BARIYYA WA-BI-WALIDIHI SAHIB AL-KHATMIYYA WA’L-KATMIYYA
VI) AL-KIBRIT AL-AHMAR FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI-AWA’IL AL-SUWAR WA-BI-HURUF AL-AYAT AL-GHURAR
VII) TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-ABBAS
Publ. Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1979; [Cairo]: Dar al-Nahar,
n.d. [1996].
20. JAWAB ‘AN RISALAT BA‘D AL-MUNTAMIN ILA’L-’ILM
(ALSO CALLED “RISALAT ILA NIAMEY”)
Publ. Kano, Northern Maktabat Press, 1395/1975.
21. JAWAHIR AL-RASA’IL
A collection of short prose works by Sh. Ibrahim Niyas, edited and published by Ahmad Abu ’l-Fat’h b. Ali al-Yarwawi in 2 vols.
(see ALA II, 400).
22. KANZ AL-ARIFIN FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-AWWALIN WA’L-AKHIRIN
Publ. in al-Dawawin al-sitt, Beirut: Mk. al-Thaqafiyya - Khartoum:
Mk. al-Tawfiq, 1415/ 1995.
23. KASHF AL-GHUMMA FI RAF’ MIRA ULAMA AL-UMMA FI IKHTILAFIHIM FI ’L-AHILLA
Treatise on the question of establishing agreed dates for the beginning
and end of Ramadan. Abridged version of Bahth fi thubut ru’yat al-hilal.
Publ. Kano, n.d.
24. KASHIF AL-ILBAS AN FAYDAT AL-KHATM ABI ’L-
ABBAS (REMOVING ALL THE AMBIGUITIES ABOUT THE
SPIRITUAL FLOOD OF THE SEAL OF THE SAINTS) ABU AL-
ABBAS) (AHMAD AT-TIJANI).
Completed 18 Muharram 1350/5 June 1931, with a dhayl written on 8
Muharram 1351/14 May 1932. Written to promote the Tijaniyya, and
to justify his claim to being the “master of spiritual emanation” (sahib
al-fayda).
Publ. Casablanca, n.d.; Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1371/ 1952,
1380/1961, 251; n.p., 1988; Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d. [c. 1996]; repr.,
Kano by Muhammad Salgha, 1971; repr. Dakar, by Muhammad al-
Ma’mun, 1988; Publ.by al-Hajj Ahmad Rifa’i al-K-t-bi [Nigeria],
1371/ 1952.
25. AL-KHAMR AL-HALAL FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-RIJAL
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
26. AL-KHITAB AL-SANAWI
Address for the Prophet’s Birthday, delivered in Kaolack, 1384/1964.
Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d., followed by Q. ra’iyya:
Waliyyukum awliya’ Allah
Publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
27. KHUTAB (ADDRESSES/SPEECHES)
Many of Sh. Ibrahim Niyas’s addresses are contained in Jawahir al-
rasa’il . Those listed below are known independently.
I) ON THE OCCASION OF THE MARRIAGE OF ONE OF HIS DAUGHTERS.
MS: Dakar (IFAN), Fonds Amar Samb, Discours, 2d.
II) AL-KHUTBA AL-HAMIDA AL-JAMI’A LI’L-HIKAM AL-
MUFIDA
Speech given at Kaduna in 1391/ 1971.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., 1391/1971-2.
III) KHUTBA JALILA.
On the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday.
Publ. Lagos: Times Press, 1380/1960; Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d;
also publ. in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
IV) AL-KHUTBA AL-MURITANIYYA (MAURITANIAN SPEECH)
Delivered in January 1968.
Publ. Kano: Oluseyi Press, 1388/1968.; also publ. in Jawahir al-
rasa’il.
V) DELIVERED IN KAOLACK AT A FESTIVAL OF ISLAMICS CHOOLS.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d.; also in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
VI) DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE PROPHET’S
BIRTHDAY (AL MAWLID AL-NABAWI) IN 1384/1964.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press. 1384/1964.
28. AL-MAJMU’A AL-KAMILA LI-A’MAL AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
Contains:
I) MAJMU’ QASA’ID AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
II) AL-FAYD AL-AHMADI FI ’L-MAWLID AL-MUHAMMADI
III) NUR AL-BASAR FI MAD’H SAYYID AL-BASHAR
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
29. MAJMU’ QASA’ID AL-MAWLID AL-NABAWI
Collection of seven poems celebrating the Prophet’s birthday.
Publ. Kano: Oluseyi Printing Press, 1379/1959-60; Cairo: M. al-
Mash’had al-Husayni, n.d.; Kano, n.d.; n.d. for Muhammad al-
Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse; also publ. in al-Majmu’a al-kamila li
amal al-mawlid al-nabawi
30. MAJMU’ RIHALAT AL-SHAYKH IBRAHIM
Contains accounts of four journeys, partly in prose and partly in verse:
I) AL-RIHLA AL-HIJAZIYYA AL-ULA
II) NAYL AL-MAFAZ BI’L-AWD ILA ’L-HIJAZ
III) AL-RIHLA AL-GANNARIYYA WA’L-KUMASHIYYA
Accounts of two journeys: one into southern Mauritania (Gannar in Wolof), 1371/1951-2, the other to Kumase; see also item 52 below.
iv) NAFAHAT AL-MALIK AL-GHANI FI ’L-SIYAHA FI ARD BAMAKU WA-GHINI, ALSO CALLED AL-RIHLA AL-KUNAKIRIYYA
Publ. n.p., by al-Amin b. Ibrahim Niasse, c 1993; by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, Cairo: Dar al-Nahar, n.d.
31. MAJMU’ THALATHA AJWIBA
Contains two pieces by Sh. Ibrahim, and one by Emir Ja’far of Zaria on the question of broadcasting recitation of the Qur’an; see ALA II,
360, Umar (2002).
32. MAJMU’ THALATHA KHUTAB
Three sermons: for Friday worship, for Id al-fitr and for Id al-ad’ha. Published in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
33. MAJMU’ THALATHA MAJALIS SUNNIYYA MA’THURA AN KHULAFA MURSHID AL-SALIKIN WA-MURABBI AL-MURIDIN AL-QUTB AL-RABBANI WA’L-ARIF AL SAMADANI SIDI AHMAD AL-TIJANI
Texts of speeches given in Kano (1372/1952-3), Katsina (1372/1952-3),and Kaolack (1373/ 1953-4).
Publ. Cairo: Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi, 1956.
34. MANASIK AL-WIDAD FI MADH KHAYR AL-IBAD
In praise of the Prophet and defence of Tijani litanies.
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt .
35. MAQAMAT AL-DIN AL-THALATHA
Publ. Kumase. n.d.; n.p. [Kano] by al-Hâjj Ibrahim Idris Fantu, 1410/1990.
36. MASARRAT AL-MAJAMI’ FI MASA’IL AL-JAMI’
Written c. 1932 to justify construction of a new Friday mosque.
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6. Published in a modified version as Wajh al-tahqiq fi kawn jami’ Madina huwa ’l-atiq, Casablanca: M.al-Najah al-Jadida, 1996.
37. MIFTAH AL-NASR FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI’L-DHIKR
Poem of intercession through the suras of the Qur’an.
Opens: al-Hamdu mutlaqan li-dhat al-bari * Thumma salamahu ala ’l-mukhtari
38. MIFTAH RAHMAT AL-RAHIM FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI-BI’SMI ’LLAHI AL-RAHMAN AL-RAHIM
Accrostic on Bi’smi ’llahi al-Rahman al-Rahim.
Opens: Bi’smi ’l-ilahi ashkuru ’l-murida * Wa-artaji min fadlihi ’l-mazida
39. MUKHTARAT FI SIRA WA-MANAQIB SHAYKHINA WA-SAYYIDINA ABI’L ABBAS AHMAD AL-TIJANI
Contains three treatises by the author:
I) AL-NUR AL-RABBANI FI SIRAT AHMAD AL-TIJANI
II) TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-ABBAS
III) NASIM AL-RIYAH FI TASHTIR QASIDAT SAYYIDI
IBRAHIM AL-RIYYA’I
Publ. n.p. [Dakar], by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse,1994.
40. NAFAHAT AL-MALIK AL-GHANI FI ’L-SIYAHA FI ARD BAMAKU WA-KUNAKIRI (ALSO KNOWN AS AL-RIHLA AL-KUNAKIRIYYA)
Account of his visits to Bamako and Conakry in 1367/1947.
Opens: Hamdan li-man fi dhikrihi qul siru * Fi ’l-ardi man sara lahu
bashiru
Publ. Kaolack, by Muhammad al-Ma’mun b. Ibrahim Niasse, 1988;
also in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
41. NASIHA MINNI ILA ’L-IKHWAN (ANOTHER TITLE FOR “RUH AL-ADAB [(THE SPIRIT OF (SUFI) ETHICS)]”)
42. NAYL AL-MAFAZ BI’L-AWD ILA ’L-HIJAZ
Poem celebrating his second pilgrimage journey via Lagos, Kano, Rome and Cairo, written in 1370/1951.
Opens: Hamdan li-man allamana fi ’l-Baqarah * Ahkam hajj al-bayti hina dhakarah
Publ. Kano, c. 1384/1964-5; also included in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
43. NASS AL-KALIMA ALLATI ALQAHA IBRAHIM NIYAS FI ARD MARRAKISH FI ’L-HAFLAT ALLATI UQIMAT FI IHDA’QA’AT JAMI’AT AL-QARAWIYYIN BI-MUNASABAT DHIKRA TA’SISIHA
Speech given in 1959 at festivities commemorating the founding of the Qarawiyyin mosque-college in Fez.
Publ. by Muhammad al-Raji, n.p. [Kano?], n.d.
44. NUJUM AL-HUDA FI KAWN NABIYYINA AFDAL MAN DAFIA ILA ’LLAH WA-HADA (THE STARS OF GUIDANCE (ESTABLISHING) PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S POSITION AS THE NOBLEST (OF THOSE) WHO INVITED AND GUIDED TO THE TRUTH).
Publ. Rabat: Imp. Aminiyya, 1962; Ibadan, 1388/1968-9.
Trans: Stars of the Good Way, Paris: Imprimerie de Carthage,
n.d.; Astres de la bonne voie, Paris: Imprimerie de Carthage, n.d.
Mouhammad: l’élu de la création, n.p.{Dakar?]: L’Association
Sciences et Services dans l’Islam Eternel [ASSISE], 2001.
45. NUR AL-BASAR FI MADH SAYYID AL-BASHAR
Verse work on the life of the Prophet.
Publ. Zaria. 1962; also Published in al-Majmu’a al-kamila li-a’mal al-mawlid al-nabawi.
46. NUR AL-HAQQ FI MADH ALLADHI JA’A BI’L-SIDQ
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt, Beirut: Mk. al-Thaqafiyya -
Khartoum: Mk. al-Tawfiq, 1415/ 1995.
47. AL-NUR AL-RABBANI FI SIRAT SI. AHMAD AL-TIJANI
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1964 (with Tayyib al-anfas;
Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn., n.d.; also Published in Mukhtarat fi sira wa-manaqib shaykhina wa-sayyidina Abi ’l-fiAbbas Ahmad al- Tijani).
48. NUZHAT AL-ASMA’ WA’L-AFKAR FI MADH AL-AMIN WA-MAFIANI ’L-MUKHTAR (FELICITATION OF THE EARS AND THOUGHTS IN PRAISE OF THE TRUSTWORTHY AND THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHOSEN PROPHET).
Constitutes the six original diwans of his al-Dawawin al-sitt. Later
editions also include Nur al-haqq
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d.
49. Qasa’id
Most of Sh. Ibrahim Niasse’s poems have been published in collections; those listed below are manuscript copies of individual poems.
I) Q. BA’IYYA: Aghith aghith ya mughith al-kawn li kurbi * Bi’l-Mustafa ’l-muntaqa min jumlat al-fiarabi
II) Q. BA’IYYA: Farartu li’l-Kafi ’l-Muhaymin al-Raqib * Fakuffa aydi ’l-baghyi rabbi li raqib
Accrostic of Qur’an 2: 137.
III) Q. BA’IYYA: Kubb al-fiaduwwu fa-inna ’llaha ghalibuhu * Fa’l-mawtu talibuhu wa’l-mawt salibuhu
Poem written to spite his opponents after his party lost an election in the 1950s.
IV) Q. BA’IYYA: A-la rahim al-ilahu akhi wa-hibbi * Aba Bakrin fata’i wa-ra’sa sahib
Elegy for his brother Abu Bakr Serigne Mbaye (c. 1973).
V) Q. DALIYYA; Bala inna hadhi ardu Taha Muhammadi * Fadh aka fiAqiqun dhaka Silfiun wa-Gharqadu
In 26 vv. Dated 13 Dhu’l-˘ijja 1382/7 May 1963, on the way to Madina.
Publ. with Q. Mimiyya: Khayalun sara am inna rakbi yammama, n.p.
[Kano]. n.d.; also Published in Sayr al-qalb.
VI) Q. DALIYYA: Inni ’ttakhadhtu rasul Allahi mustanadi * hissan
wa-mafinan wa-ma arju siwa sanadi
vii) Q. daliyya: Ya rabbana salli fiala Muhammadi * fiAbdika dha
nabiyyika ’l-mumajjadi
viii) Q. daliyya: Mawla ’l-bariyyati bi’l-nabiyyi Muhammadi * Anzil
saha’iba rahmatin li-Muhammadi
Elegy of 28 vv. for his brother Muhammad Zaynab (d. 1366/1947).
IX) Q. FA’IYYA: Laqad ruziqtu widad al-Mustafa wa-safa * Waqti
bi-mawlidihi abitu fiinda Σafa
X) Q. FA’IYYA: Akaftu ala bab al-nabiyyi Muhammadi * Waman
fatani lam ulfa min dhaka asafu
Publ. Text forms the concluding section of R. al-tawba .
XI) Q. HA’IYYA: Ataytu bab ilah al-khalqi multabisa * Bi-hawbati
wa-shani al-fi’li ya Allahu
XII) Q. HAMZIYYA: Uritu bi-khayr al-khalqi khayra mara’i * Nafa
al-shakka wa’l-aswa wa-kulla mira’i
In 40 verses….Publ. n.p. [Kano], n.d., for Thani Abu Bakr dan ‘Afa
(foll. by Q. ya’iyya: Wusulu jami’ al-masikina).
XIII) Q. HAMZIYYA: Li-dha idha amma khawfun kulla anha’i *
Bi’l-Mustafa artaji amni wa-i’la’i
XIV) Q. LAMIYYA: Li-dha ’ntasartu bi-mansur al-ilahi mala(*)dhi fi
’l khutubi habibu ’llahi jalla ‘ala
XV) Q. HAMZIYYA: Li-Taha nabiyyi ’l-anbiya’i thana’i * Biwaqti
iqtirabi mithla waqti tana’i
Written in Jeddah, 3 Dhu ’l-hijja 1387/3 March 1968.
Publ. n.p., n.d., with Q. lamiyya: Rasulu ilah al-‘alamina
XVI) Q. KAFIYYA: Ya sa’ilan hal Malikun qad zakka * Gerte
fahabbu gerte lam yuzakka
On the question of whether zakat is to be paid on peanut crops.
XVII) Q. LAMIYYA: Rasulu ilah al-‘alamina ta’ala * Khadimuka
nada ya rasulu ta’ala
In 9 verses. written on 5 Jumada 1386/22 August 1966.
Publ. n.p., n.d., with Q. hamziyya: Li-Taha nabiyyi ’l-anbiya’I thana’i; also Published in Sayr al-qalb.
XVIII) Q. MIMIYYA: Khayalun sara am inna rakbi yammama *Mawatina khayr al-nasi li’l-sayri sammama
Composed as he was preparing to depart by air for his tenth pilgrimage, and completed whilst at Mina on the second day of the pilgrimage, i.e. 13 Dhu’l-hijja 1382/7 May 1963.
Publ. n.p. [Kano], for Sh. Ahmad al-Tijani Uthman and Sh. Abu Bakr
Atiq, n.d., with Q. daliyya: Bala inna hadhi ardu Taha Muhammadi.
XIX) Q. MIMIYYA: Muhammaduna ’l-Mushri ataka himamu * Wa-
arju min al-Mawla ataka maramu
Elegy for Muhammad al-Mushri (or -Mishri), a prominent
Mauritanian disciple, in 12 verses, written while on his deathbed in St
Thomas’s Hospital, London in 1975, and recited over the telephone to
Kaolack.
Publ. at end of his R. al-tawba, Kano, n.d.
XX) Q. MIMIYYA: Qad shaba shawq al-nabiyyi ’l-Mustafa adami *
Fa-hal tasilanna min bafid al-dumu’i dami
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin.
XXI) Q. NUNIYYA: Inni ’sta’jartu ’l-dahra bi’l-Muhaymini * Bidha
’l-jiwari huztu kulla ma’mani
XXII) Q. NUNIYYA: Laja’tu ila ’l-mawla ’l-fialiyyi jalla sha’nuhu *
Li-daf’i wa-jalbi qad kafani hisnuhu
XXIII) Q. NUNIYYA: Rabbi bi-jahi mujmi’ al-shu’uni * Fa’kshif
kurubi aslihan shu’uni
XXIV) Q. QAFIYYA: Wajjahtu wajhi li’l-Qadim al-Baqi * La
darrani hasadu dhi ’l-nifaqi
Accrostic of Qur’an 40: 44, composed in 1362/1942-3.
XXV) Q. RA’IYYA: Wathiqtu bi-khayri ’l-khalqi ‘abdi ’l-Mudabbiri
* Nuzul al-nada li’l-qani’ina wa-mu’tari
XXVI) Q. WAWIYYA: Muhammadun kullu ma fi ’l-rusli fihi tuwi *
Muhammadun faza minhu al-misru wa’l-badwi
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin, 12.
XXVII) Q. YA’IYYA: Wusulu jamifi al-masikina bi-habliya *
Tahaqqaqahu man lam yukadhdhib bi-rabbiya
Publ. at end of Q. hamziyya: Uritu bi-khayr al-khalqi
XXVIII) Q FI ’L-ISTIGHATHA
Opens: Rabbi tarani ba’isan faqira* fa’rham rahimi ’l-ba’is alfaqira.
Acrostic of Qur’ân 28:24……..Publ. n.p. [Ghana], n.d.
XXIX) Q. AL-HIRZ AL-MANI’
Opens: Inna li farhatan bi-dhikr al-nabi * hubbuhu sara zahiri wa-khafi.
XXX) Q. FI RITHA’ AKHIHI ABI BAKR
Opens: Fa-khatbun khalilun ‘azzani ‘indahu ’l-sabru * Mamatuhabibin ‘umruhu ’l-fawzu wa’l-nasru.
Publ. Dakar: n.d.
XXXI) URJUZA: hasbi ’l-Muhayminu wa-hasbi ’l-Waqi * hasbi ’l-
Qadimu ’llahu hasbi ’l-Baqi
Acrostic of Qur’an 3:173, composed in 1360/1941-2.
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin.
XXXII) URJUZA: Rabb al-‘ibadi Ghafir al-dhunubi * Wa-qabil al-tawbi bi-taqabbuli tawbi Accrostic on Qurfian, 23:29, Rabbi anziln iqmunzalan mubarakan wa-anta khayr al-munzilina Publ. at end of ‘Umar b. Sa’id al-Futi, Safinat al-sa’ada, Dakar, 1997.
50. RAF ‘AL-MALLAM AN MAN QABADA WA RAFA 'A IQTIDA’AN BI KHAYR AL-ANAM. (EXONERATION OF ONE
WHO FOLDS UP (HIS HANDS) AND RAISES THEM UP (IN PRAYER) FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEST OF MANKIND).
Probably written in the early 1940s, it sparked off considerable controversy.
Publ. Cairo: M. al-Mash’had al-husayni, n.d. (copy in NU/Paden,
272).
51. RAWD AL-MUHIBBIN FI MADH SAYYID AL-FIARIFIN
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
52. AL-RIHLA AL-HIJAZIYYA AL-ULA
Account of his first pilgrimage in 1355/1935.
Publ: Kano, 1960; Kano: M. al-Amiriyya, 138[0?], for Muhammad_an Jinjiri b. al-hajj fiAbd al-Rahman. with Nayl al-mafaz and Tadhkira man kanu; Kano: M. al-Amiriyya, 1384/1964-5,with Nafahat al-Malik al-Ghani and Nayl al-mafaz; also included in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
53. AL-RIHLA AL-GANNARIYYA WA’L-KUMASHIYYA
Accounts of two journeys: one into southern Mauritania (Gannar in Wolof), 1371/1951-2, the other to Kumase.
Published in Majmu’ rihalat Sh. Ibrahim.
54. RISALAT ILA AMIR KANU MUHAMMAD AL-SANUSI
On the occasion of the deposition of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad al-Sanusi, naming him a khalifa of his.Published in Jawahir al-rasa’il.
55. RISALAT ILA BA’D AL-IKHWAN
Disowning any disciple whose conduct might be in conflict with the shari’a.
Publ. Kano: n.d., for al-hajj Rabi’ b. al-hajj Zakariyya Mai Riga.
56. RISALAT ILA NIYAMI
Written c. 1975 to address problems similar to those tackled in R. al tawba.
Publ. Kano: M. Yan Kasa, n.d. [c. 1975]; n.p. [Lagos]: Thani Awwal.
Also publ. as Jawab li-Ibrahim al- Kawlakhi ajaba bihi fi an risalat
bafid al-muntamin ila ’l-fiilm, Kano: Northern Maktabat Press,
1395/1975.
57. RISALAT NAFI’A
Written in 1386/1966……Publ. by Malam Ibrahim b. Malam fiAbd Allah, n.p. [Kano], n.d.
58. RISALAT AL-QUR’AN
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, 1388/1968.
59. RISALAT AL-TAWBA
Written 8 Jumada II 1395/18 June 1975. Addressed to his Nigerian followers warning them against the false claims made by a Nigerian adversary of the Tijaniyya to the effect that Sh. Ibrahim’s Urjuzat al tawba amounted to a declaration of his having abandoned the Tijaniyya.
The text of the poem is given at the end.
Publ. Beirut: M. Dar al-Kutub, 1975 (copy in UBMIA/TIJ, 70).;
Lagos: Multazam al-Tabfi al-hajj Thani Awwal, n.d.; n.p. [Kano],
for al-hajj Muhammad al-Thani fiUthman, n.d. (followed by
a wasiyya and Sh. Ibrahim’s last poem, his elegy for Muhammad al-
Mushri).
60. RUH AL-ADAB LI-MA HAWAHU MIN HIKAM WA-ADAB
Urjuza, written in 1342/1922-3.
Opens: Yaqulu Ibrahimu najl al-hajji * ‘Abd al-ilahi badrina ’l-
wahhaji
Publ. Litho,. n.p., n.d; Medina: Dar al-Madina al-Munawwara, n.d;
also Published in ‘Ali Cissé, Bughyat al-salikin.
61. RU’YA
Report of a vision (dated 1382/1963) in which Sh. Ibrahim Niasse advised the Emir of Kano Muhammad al-Sanusi to handle the problems facing him with steadfast patience, and a request for people to pray for al-Sanusi’s success.
62. SABIL AL-SALAM FI IBQA’ AL-MAQAM
In support of leaving the Maqam Ibrahim at the Ka’ba in its original place, after suggestions that it should be moved to a new location within the Sacred Mosque.
Publ. n.p., 1963; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d. [c.1413/1993]).
63. AL-SARIM WA’L QADIB FI QATFI AWHAM AHL AL-SALIB
Opens: Wahyun ataka min al-ilah al-a’zami * La rayba fi hadha li-ghayri jahannami
64. SAYR AL-QALB LI-MADH AL-MUSTAFA AL-HIBB ILA HADRAT AL-RABB
The last diwan of Sh. Ibrahim Niyas.
Publ. Zaria: Gaskiya Corpn, n.d., for al-hajj Dan Jinjiri b. al-hajj ‘Abd al-Rahman Mai Adua; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press,1976. Cassette tape containing extracts recited by Mouhammad Taha Abdoulaye Ibrahima Niass, published by al-Ruwwad li’l-intaj al-fanni wa’l-tawzifi, Cairo, 1998.
65. AL-SHAYKH AL-TIJANI HUWA ’L-QUTB AL-MAKTUM
On the spiritual position of Sh. Ahmad al-Tijani, based on a document written in ‘Ayn Madi, which Sh. Ibrahim found in his father’s papers.
Publ. n.p. [Kano?], n.d.
66. SHIFA’ AL-ASQAM FI MADH SAYYID AL-ANAM
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt as Shifa’ al-asqam fi madh khayr al-anam; and in Nuzhat al-asma’.
67. SILAH AL-SALIHIN FI NUHUR AL-A’DA’ AL-TALIHIN
Poems, accrostic of Qur’an, 40:44.
Opens: Wuqitu sharra ’l-insi mafia ’l-jinni * Li-anna sayyida ’l-wara mujinni
68. AL-SIRR AL-AKBAR WA’L-KIBRIT AL-AHMAR
On the doctrine and merits of the Tijaniyya.
Published in Mai Gari (1981), 410-59.
69. TABSIRAT AL-ANAM FI ANNA AL-FIILM HUWA AL-IMAM (SHOWING THE PEOPLE THAT (ACQUISITION OF)
KNOWLEDGE IS THE LEADER OF ALL OBLIGATIONS).
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
70. TABSIRAT AL-ANAM FI JAWAZ RU’YAT AL-BARI FI ’L-YAQ÷A WA’L-MANAM
Publ. Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d.
71. TAFSIR MA’ANI AL-QUR’AN AL-KARIM
Boxed set of 62 cassette tapes in two volumes of sessions of exegesis of the Qur’an in Wolof given by Sh. Ibrahim Niyas between 1950 and 1960. Introduction by Ibrahim M. Diop, personal secretary to Sh. Ibrahim. Produced by Saite Sall Family Inc., New York.
72. TANBIH AL-ADHKIYA’ FI KAWN AL-SHAYKH AL-TIJANI KHATIM AL-AWLIYA
Publ. Cairo: Mußtafa al-Babi al-halabi, 1959; Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d, 25.
73. AL-TAQA AL-DHARRIYYA AL-MUWAJJAHA LI-A’DA’KHAYR AL-BARIYYA
Acrostic on Qur’an 3: 147.
Opens: Rabb al-Amin wa-rabb al-Mustafa wa-kafa * Fa ’ghfir dhunuba ‘ubaydin qad ‘asa wa-jafa
74. TAQWIYAT AL-DA’IF FI ’L-TAWASSUL BI’LQUR’AN AL-SHARIF
Opens: Fa’s’al al-mawla bi-khayr al-nasi * al-Faliq al-isbahi ka ’l-miqbasi
75. TAWSI’AT AL-‘ILM WA’L-‘IRFAN LI’L-SHUYUKH WA’L-SHUBBAN
Address delivered in Kano in 1391/1971-2.
Kano: Northern Maktabat Press, n.d. [c. 1972].
76. TAWSIYAT AL-AHBAB ALLADHINA BA’UDU ‘ANNA WA-TABSHIR
Acrostic on Qur’an 40: 44, composed 22 Shawwal 1375/ 2 June 1956.
Opens: Waliyyukum awliya’ Allahi idh makaru * makran huwa ’llahu mawla ’l-khalqi fa’stabiru
Publ. at end of Khitab sanawi (see no. 27 above).
77. TAYYIB AL-ANFAS FI MADA’IH AL-KHATM ABI ’L-‘ABBAS
See Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Published in Jami’ jawami’ al-dawawin (see no. 21 above); and in Mukhtarat fi sira wa-manaqib shaykhina wa-sayyidina Abi’l-‘Abbas Ahmad al-Tijani (see no. 39 above); and in al-Nur al-
rabbani fi sirat Si. Ahmad al-Tijani (see no 46 above).
78. TAYSIR AL-WUSUL ILA HADRAT AL-RASUL
Published in al-Dawawin al-sitt.
79. TUHFAT AHL AL-HADIRA BI-MA YANFA’ AL-HAJJ SIYYAMA BI’L-TAJIRA
Publ. ed. Sh. al-Tijani b. ‘Ali Cissé, Casablanca: M. al-Najat al-jadida, 1996.
80. TUHFAT AL-ATFAL FI HAQA’IQ AL-AF’AL
On the conjugation of verbs; see Foreword to Kashif al-ilbas, 6.
Publ. Nouakchott, n.d., for Muhammad Salim b. Muhammad Mawlud.
81. URJUZAT AL-TAWBA
Poem in 19 verses, composed as he was returning from his sixth pilgrimage in 1377/1958.
Opens: Bi’smi’l-ilahi tubtu inni tubtu * Tubtu li-ma fa’altu aw ma qultu.
Publ. text at back of R. al-tawba .
82. WAFAT AL-MUSTAFA SALLA ’LLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA-SALLAM
Extract of the author’s Nur al-basar fi madh khayr al-bashar.
Opens: Aflata shams al-dini idh nama Taha * Thumma ‘amm al-wara zalam al-dalali
83. WAJH AL-TAHQIQ FI KAWN JAMI’ MADINA HUWA ’L-ATIQ
Publ. Ed. Sh. al-Tijani b. ‘Ali Cissé, Casablance: M al-Najat al-jadida, 1996.
84. WASIYYA
Last will and testament of Sh. Ibrahim, written 16 Dhu ’l-hijja 1393/
10 January 1974, just over seven months before his death. MS: Copy
of MS in the handwriting of Niasse, 16. Dhu ’l-Hijja 1393/10. Jan.
1974.
Publ. at end of R. al-tawba, Kano, n.d; in Mai Gari (1981), 344-5.
85. WATHIQA FI ’L-TA’ZIYA ‘ALA WAFAT AKHINA AL-HAJJ
AL-TIJANI ‘UTHMAN
Letter of condolence to his Nigerian followers on the death (in December 1970) of Ahmad Tijani ‘Uthman of Kano in a car accident
(see ALA II, 284). The published edition of the letter is followed by an elegy by an otherwise unknown Nigerian, Muhammad Fani b. ‘Ali.
Publ. Kano, n.d.[1390/1971]; copies in NU/Hunwick, 233.1.
86. ZIYADAT AL-JAWAHIR MIN YAWAQIT ALFAZ WA-DURAR HIKAM FI FUNUN ‘ULUM SHATTA
Supplement to Jawahir al-rasa’il.
Publ. ed. Ahmad b. ‘Ali Abu ’l-Fath, n.p. [Maidugari], 1410/1990.
87. TRANSLATIONS IN FRENCH
Translated by Gane Samb Lo.
Trois oeuvres choisies, traduites et annotees de Cheikh Ibrahim Niass: I) LUMIERES SUR LA TIJANIYYA
II) L’AFRIQUE AUX AFRICAINS
III) LES TROIS ETAPES DE LA RELIGION
Publ. n.p. [Dakar]: L’Association Sciences et Services dans l’Islam
éternel [ASSISE], 2001.
88. ‘AQIDAH AHL-AR-RUSUKH (THE CREED OF THE
LEARNED PEOPLE).
Source;
Arabic Literature of Africa (ALA), Volume IV: The Writings of
Western Sudanic Africa (Chapter Six, Senegambia I: The Niassene
Tradition, By Ousmane Kane, John Hunwick, and Rudiger Seesemann), pgs 279-301.
Published by:Brill, Leiden, Boston (2003)
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