Shaykh Abdul Mabood AL Gilani passed in 1983 at the age of 160 years old

Shaykh Abdul Mabood’s wife invited me one night for dinner. It was the first time I had the opportunity to visit and chat with his wife and the rest of his family in a less formal way. That evening I noticed that there was a plaque on the wall, written in Arabic, and sealed with a wax impression that appeared to be the standard of the royal family of Saud. I asked about it and this is what I was told.

After he had performed his pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, Shaykh Abdul Mabood remained in the Hijaz, teaching. King Abdul Aziz bin Saud had just recently taken control of the country and was under tremendous pressure from the Wahhabi scholars in Ryadh to control the emerging influence of the Sufis in the Hijaz, as well as the Shias and their interests in the shrines of the members of the Prophet’s family. Succumbing to their threats, King Abdul Aziz launched a campaign against these two groups, by destroying the shrines of the awliya’.

Shaykh Abdul Mabood after having petitioning the King on many occasions to stop these activities met with treachery. The king had put a warrant for the Shaykh’s arrest. The Shaykh banded together with others wanting to preserve these holy places, and waged battles against any army that attempted to hurt or destroy these shrines. The conflict raged on for many months. The warrant for the Shaykh’s arrest had become a bounty hunt as the king placed a large sum of gold on Shaykh Abdul Mabood’s head.  After some time the Shaykh was arrested and brought to stand trial in the court of King Abdul Aziz. The trial lasted for but a few minutes, the charges were read and the sentence handed out.

The Shaykh was brought in front of King Abdul Aziz. Shaykh Abdul Mabood’s head had already been wrapped in clothe and the axe and chopping block were already in the courtyard of the palace. The king leaned over to the Shaykh and asked if there were any last words. The Shaykh began to recite several poems about the qualities of the Prophet’s family and how they should be remembered and cherished for all times. The king was moved to tears. For not only were the words of the Shaykh overwhelmingly beautiful but the king recognized those poems as having been written by his grandfather and recited to him almost every night.

King Abdul Aziz AL Saud

The king ordered the clothe to be removed from the Shaykh’s head and for him to be set free. The king approached Shaykh Abdul Mabood and humbly requested his forgiveness. . As a personal show of gratitude to the Shaykh, the King decreed that from that day forward, Shaykh Abdul Mabood would be the guest of the kingdom on the pilgrimage to Hajj.  The kingdom of Saudi Arabia would cover all of his travel expenses and costs to stay in Mecca and Medina. The Shaykh was given an official plaque with this decree. It was this plaque, I asked about on the wall.

Prior to receiving this gift, the Shaykh had already performed the Hajj for many years. When I had met him in 1983, he had already completed over 100 pilgrimages to Hajj. As far as we know, he holds the record for attending the pilgrimage.

His wife went on to tell me that Shaykh Abdul Mabood remains in bed most of the year. A few weeks before Hajj, he starts to move around more and a few days before he sets off to Hajj, he walks around, full of energy. She said that his hair turns from white to gray and even turns black as the Hajj approaches. In her time as wife of the Shaykh, he had lost and grown another set of teeth. As a junior wife, she remembered coming into a household of two other senior wives that the Shaykh had several sets of teeth come in and fall over his lifetime.

Taken from “Stories of Awliyah” by Al Hajj Mustafa Ali

A friend recently informed me that Habib Ali Al jifri of the Ba Alawi tariqa recently took bayah with Shaykh Nazim Al haqqani in the last 10 days of ramadan. I was first stunned by this as I was actually thinking to take the ba alawi tariqa originally. Another amazing thing  is many know that its common for the habaib to take baya of baraka. In this case this is after the death of the Qutb of the Ba alawi tariqa  Habib Abdul Qadir Al Saqqaf and the second in command Habib Ali Al Aydarus who was more on the hidden side. Both awliyah passed in the last couple months one 40 days after the other.  Could this be bayah of suluk ? as it was also in ramadan and the last 10 days! My close friend informed me he renewed his baya on the first day and today on Juma he did it after the sohba. Here is some pictures that were forwarded to me.

Before Jumah Salah

Habib Ali during Naqshbandi Hadra

Shaykh Nazim qs Laughing with Habib Ali

Formal Bayah with Shaykh Nazim Al Haqqani qs

We have been informed that Laylatul Qadr will be this  ((-Saturday Night September 4 ,2010 -))..   Take heed of this night Oh Ummah of the Prophet (saaws) ..

*Sorry for  the error in the date  .. May Allah bless those who informed me! Amin..

According to Jawahir al-Maani and Kitab “Ward al-Juyub”, the bounty of the Salat al-Bakriya is worth 70.000 full recitations of Dalail al-Khayrat. The prayer is the product of al-Qutb Sidi Mohammed al-Bakri as-Siddiqi al-Misri (d. 994/1585) and it goes: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Sayyidina Mohammedin wa ‘ala alihi, salaatan ta’adilu jamii’a salawaati ahli ma’habbatika, wa sallim ‘ala Sayyidina Mohammedin wa ‘ala alihi salaaman ya’adilu salamahum.”

One Grandshaykh (Shaykh Sharufudeen Al Daghestani qs) of the Naqshbandi Tariqa extracted all the names of the Wuzara, Khulafa and Awliyah in Sayidna Mohamed Mahdi as time from a verse in Sura Al Anam.

Shaykh Sharafudeen Al Daghestani qs

Ibn Arabi qs mentions .. “Allah will appoint  as his ministers a group whom he has kept hidden for him in the secret recesses of the spiritual world. Allah has acquinted these helpers threw unveilings and direct witnessing with realities and contents of Allah’s command concerning his servants. So Mahdi as makes his decisions and judgments  on the basis of consultation  with them since they are the true knowers, who really know what is there in the divine reality.

.. These helpers are from non arab peoples, none of them are arab although they speak arabic. And they have a guardian , not of their kind, who never disobeys Allah at all, he is the most elect of the helpers and the most excellent of Mahdi as trusted ones”

Shaykh Nazim Al Haqqani qs with Shaykh Abdur Rauf Al Yamani

The Wuzara of Mahdi as

Shahmatul Fardani
Yusuf as-Siddiq
Abdul Rauf al-Yamani
Imamul Arifin amanul Haq
Lisanul Muttakalimin Awnallah Sakhawi
Arrifal Tayar al Ma’ruf bil Mulhan
Burhanul Karama Ghauthul annam

This taweez was gifted to Shaykh Abdullah Daghestani qs in a vision from the Holy Prophet sala allahu alayhi wa salam. It mentions the Wuzara of Mahdi as in it.

A Great Ijaza

Since we are speaking of travel by sea and its blessings, I thought this would be a great opportunity to present the reader a great blessing that came while sayyidi Shaykh Saleh al-Ja’fari was travelling by sea. This is a great blessing to everyone who reads it, so read carefully.

Shaykh Saleh al-Ja’fari

The shaykh says:

“I was travelling by sea on the boat from Jeddah to Libya, and I saw in my sleep that I was sitting in the room that I was in, on a bed, and next to me was another bed. I was sitting and reciting the First Salaat (of the Salawat of Shaykh Ahmad ibn Idris). So when I began reciting it, the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam entered the room and sat on the other bed and he said, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam: ‘I came to hear from you the salaat of Ibn Idris.’

Then he laid down on his right side, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, and the more I continued in reciting it, the more his light increased, and so did his visbility to me, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam. So I thought to myself, whilst in the middle of the recitation, to get up and greet him, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, so I stood up and kissed his noble hand and he wiped with it my face and my chest. Then he pointed to me with his hand to sit and finish the salaat. So I sat back and finished the First Salaat, and said after it: “Oh you of perfect body, of you of beautiful attributes,” until the end of the Seventh Salaat. Then I woke up from my sleep, rejoicing, happy, thanking Allah Most High.

And he, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, had already given me a general ijaza for all the salawat. And that is that I saw in my dream that I was doing salaat on the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, with salawat other than the ones from our Idrisi tariqa. But when I began with the Azeemiyya (of shaykh Ahmad ibn Idris), he appeared to me, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, sitting on a chair. So I got up and kissed his noble hand and said:

“Shall I do salaat on you, oh Messenger, with this formula?”

So he said: “With it and with other than it.” And he pointed with his noble head from top to bottom, and from bottom to up, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam tasleema.

And I give ijaza to all the brothers from the Idrisi tariqa and from others, from the East to the West of the world, in this Salaat Azeemiyya, in which the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam gave me ijaza. And likewise I give them ijaza in the First Salaat, which the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam heard from me, and like wise I give them ijaza with the rest of the salawat, which the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam gave me ijaza in by saying: “With it and with other than it.” And I make my sanad in that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam.

And I have great hope that everyone who hears these words of mine, and turns with his heart and body toward these salawat, and recites them regularly with love and belief, that he will see him, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam, in sleep and in the waking. And nothing stands between me and the doubters except trying.

So oh you who is fond of himself, proud of his every action, heedless of the enclosures of sanctity, turning away from the causes of his uns, hurry to us! And then hurry to us! For in every age we have appearances… and pearls, and jewels!”

———-

So there you go, oh happy reader. You now have an ijaza in the great Salaat Azeemiyya, and the rest of the Salawat of shaykh Ahmad ibn Idris, and all other salawat formulas in the world. And your sanad is this:

From the great Qutb, sayyidi Shaykh Saleh al-Ja’fari, from the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam.

Post Taken from http://riyada.hadithuna.com/

(Habib Neon) (1898 -1969)

Once upon a time, at a masjid in Surabaya, Indonesia, people gathered as usual after Isha for a Majlis Ta’lim. The masjid was fully occupied with thousands of jemaah (assembly) waiting eagerly to listen to a tausiyah (lecture). All of a sudden the lights went off. Most of the crowd quickly rushed out of the masjid. It was full moon then so it was not too dark outside the masjid. As they were loitering, they saw a figure approaching them. Judging from the man’s dressing (Yaman gamis) and his green turban, they recognised him as Habib Muhammad bin Husin Al-Aydarus.

Habib Muhammad then entered the masjid. The moment he stepped in, the crowd saw beams of light coming out from his body like a neon lamp! His entire physical had lit up! The crowds were flabbergasted because they had not seen Habib Muhammad carrying any torch lights or lamps. The masjid which was earlier in complete darkness became bright again with the lights shining from him. Eversince that miraculous event Habib Muhammad was known as Habib Neon.

Born in Tarim, Yaman in 1898, Habib Neon was a respectable and sought after scholar not only in Surabaya but also in the neighboring districts. Since he was a child he had enjoyed close attention and training from his father Habib Husin bin Zainal Abidin Al-Aydarus who was a renowned alim and arifbillah (gnostic). Their family name “Al-Aydarus” means leader of the people of tassawuf (sufis). Many Al-Aydarus ulama were in fact sufis such as Al-Imam Habib Abdullah bin Abu Bakar Al-Aydarus, Habib Husein bin Abi Bakar Al-Aydarus and Habib Muhammad bin Husin Al-Aydarus himself.

Habib Muhammad or Habib Neon was known for his exceptional strength in fasting. He considered keeping a full stomach and the habit of over-eating as the root cause for nafs. For that reason he developed a habit to fast for an extended period of time. He fasted for seven years and throughout the seven years he only had seven dates for iftar (breaking of fast) and another seven for sahur meal in the break of dawn. At one time during a year of fasting he had only consumed about 3.4kg of wheat or 5 ‘mud‘. One ‘mud‘ of wheat equals 675 grams. This was a practice attributed to Imam al-Ghazali.

Habib Muhammad once said, “At the beginning of my journey, I had read a lot of sufi books. I also liked to test my nafs by following the methods of training employed by the salafus soleh as recorded in their kitabs.”

He is remembered as one who is tawadhuk (humble), always honoring his guests and never turned down an invitation especially from the less fortunate. He was always very warm and hospitable towards his guests. People enjoyed meeting him as his face was always cheerful and bright with nur (light). Everyday between 10.00 a.m. and Zuhur (noon prayer) he would receive guests who came from all over Indonesia and abroad to seek his advice. He welcomed them with open arms and his karamah (gifted ability) was that he already knew what people’s intentions and problems were even before they had a chance to speak.

He would spend the time between Maghrib and Isha (Evening and Night Prayers) revising salafi kitabs and on Friday nights he would customarily read the burdah with his jemaah.

He had deep respect for the ulama and would spend months traveling great distance to visit them in places like Palembang, Pekalongan and Tuban. The inherent ma’rifa (gnosis) attributed to the Al-Aydarus clan was evident in Habib Neon. He spoke very little. He only uttered words of wisdom and zikr, and always refrained himself from speaking unnecessarily. He was also known for his generosity, ever ready to contribute his wealth to the needy. Most of his life was spent on propagating Islam. He passed away on 22 June 1969 at the age of 71. His maqam in Pergirikan, Surabaya is regularly visited by throngs of people especially during his haul (event commemorating his death), on the last Thursday of Jamadil Awal.  AL-FATIHAH.

O Allah! Bestow complete blessings and perfect peace on Sayyidina Muhammad and for his sake may all our difficulties be removed, all calamities and agonies prevented; all needs fulfilled; all our cherished desires obtained; and a felicitous end to earthly life attained (with Imaan); and (give us) rain-showering clouds through the generous countenance of the Prophet, and (bestow blessings and peace as well) on his family and companions in every moment and every breath, as many times as is in Your Knowledge (that is unlimited blessings).

Benefits

If read 41 times after fajr prayer will be successful with all the intentions in their heart and Allah will eliminate all the bad and  facilitate all of lifes affairs.

If read 313 times A miraculous thing will open or open secrets from the ghaib-unseen.

If read 4444 times will reach all his goals and the intention in this world and hereafter and open all doors of goodness To be read 4444 and dua made for ones intention for reading it.

If read 1000 times then for him (will obtain) what was not possible by human kind and will obtain what not had been seen by the eyes, nor had been heard by ears and not had crossed in the heart” of humankind.”

A saalik-(traveller on the spiritual path) is recommended to recite this salawat 4444 times in his lifetime

This month is the month of descent of misfortunes. In a year one Million and Eighty Thousand misfortunes descend, out of which Nine Hundred and Twenty Thousand, descend in the month of Safar. It is therefore mentioned in a Hadith by the Beloved of Allaah, Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that anyone who gives me the good news that he survived Safar, I will give him the good news of that person’s entering Paradise.

Hadrat Adam’s mistake occurred in this month. Hadrat Ibraheem was put into the fire on the 1st of Safar. Hadrat Ayyub got involved in his misfortune in this month. Hadrat Yahya , Hadrat Idrees , Hadrat Yunus and Hadrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alahi Wa Salam the Beloved of Allaah SWT were all involved and put into trials in this month. Hadrat Habeel {Able, son of Adam } was martyred in this month.

Many of the Saliheen state that Allah sends down the trials and tribulations that will occur throughout the year on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar. Those trials and tribulations are spread out accordingly and apportioned to specific people. It has been recommended to make certain duas and perform certain devotional acts seeking Allah’s Mercy and Gentlessness during this time to avoid being apportioned any trial or tribulation.

Amal for the First Night of Safar:

It is essential for all Muslims to perform, on the first night of Safar, 4 Raka’h {Nafl Salah} after Salatul Isha in a manner that in the first Raka’ah after Surah Al Fatihah is recited Surah Al kafiroon 15 times and in the 2^nd Raka’h

{after Surah Al Fatihah} is recited Surah Al Ikhlas 15 times and in the 3^rd Raka’h

{after Surah Al Fatihah} is recited Surah Al Falaq 15 times and in the 4^th Raka’h

{after Surah Al Fatihah} is recited Surah An Naas 15 times. After Salaam recite and recite Salatunnabi 70 times. Allaah will protect him from all misfortunes and difficulties and bestow great Thawab {Reward} upon them. {Raahatul Quloob}

What to do on the last Wednesday of Safar:

• Pray 4 rak’ahs (other than an obligatory/fard prayer)
• In each rak’ah recite the Fatiha, then Surat Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108) 17 times, then Surat Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad – Chapter 112) 5 times, then Surat Al-Falaq (Chapter 113) once, and finally Surat Al-Naas (Chapter 114) once.
• Repeat this in each rak’ah.

After saying the salaam after the 4th rak’ah, this dua should be recited:
Bismillahi Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem, wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammadin wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim. {Allahuma} ya Shadeed al-Quwa, wa ya Shadeed al-Mihaal, ya ‘Azeezu dhallat li ‘izzatika jamee’ khalqik; ikfini min jamee’ khalqik, ya Muhsin, ya Mujammil, ya Mutafaddil, ya Mun’im, ya Mukrim – ya men la illaha illa Anta, bi Rahmatika ya Arham Ar-Rahimeen. {Allahuma} bi sirri Al-Hasan wa Akheeh, wa Jaddihi wa Abeeh, ikfini sharra hadha al-youm wa ma yunzilu feeh, ya Kaafi. {Fasa yakfeekahumu Allahu wa Huwa As-Samee’u Al-’Aleem}. Wa Hasbunal Allahu wa na’am al wakeel, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi Al-’Alee, Al-’Adheem. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim.

The Translation:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. May the peace and mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions. {O Allah} the One of Intense Power, the One of Intense Perspicacity. O Glorious One, Your entire creation is humbled before your Might – protect me from your entire creation, O Charitable One, O Beautifier, O Gracious One, O Giver of Blessing, O Generous One – there is no god except You, we ask your Mercy, of Most Merciful. {O Allah} by the secret [blessing you have given] Al-Hasan, his brother [Husayn], his grandfather [may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him!], his father [Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him] – protect us from the evil of this day and from what descends on this day, O Sufficient Protector! {Allah will suffice you against them, He is the All-Seeing, All-Knowing}. Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, and there is no might or power except Allah’s, the Exalted, the Mighty. And may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Also, it is highly recommended to read Surat Ya-Seen (Chapter 36) on that day, and when reaching the verse:

{Sallamun qawlan min Rabbin Raheem} (Verse 58) to repeat that verse 313 times.

After finishing the Surah, then read this dua:
{Allahuma} Salli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammadin salaatan tunjeena biha min jamee’ al-ahwaali wa al-afaat, wa taqdi lana biha jamee’ al-hajaat, wa tutahirruna biha min jamee’ al-sayyi’aat, wa tarfa’una biha ‘ala ad-darajaat, wa tubalighuna biha aqsa al-ghayaat, min jamee’ al-khayraat, fi al-hayaati wa ba’ad al mamaat. {Allahuma} isrif ‘anna sharra ma yanzilu min al-samaa, wa ma yakhruju min al-ard, innaka ‘ala kul shayy’in qadeer. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Sallim.

Translation:
O Allah, send mercy upon our Master Muhammad, a [prayer of] mercy with which You save us from all threats and calamaties, and by it [the prayer for mercy] You fulfill all our needs, and You purify us from the entirety of our sins, and You raise us by it to the highest levels, and You allow us to reach our greatest aspirations, in this life and after death. O Allah, avert from us the evil that descends from the heavens, and from [the evil] the comes from the earth – indeed, You are in power over all things. And may Allah send His Mercy upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Finally, it is recommended to make dua for one’s spiritual needs as well as one’s worldly needs, then ask Allah for protection and good health.

May Allah give us all the success to benefit from each month, each day, and each moment. May Allah continue to bless you all, your families, and the entire Ummah.

Naqshbandi Safar Awrad

It is prescribed to perform the following throughout the month:

Every day in addition to any recitations already being carried out:

1. Ashadu an la ilaha ill’ Allah wa ashadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu (saws) – three times

2. Astaghfirullah (300 times).

3. Give sadaqah (charity) daily for the sake of Allah Almighty with the intention of lifting away afflictions and misfortunes.

4. Surat Al Fil (7 times)

5. Ayat al-Kursi (7 times).

6. On the last Wednesday of Safar it is recommended not to go out.

It is a good practice, and that of Granshaykh Abdullah Daghestani qs, to sacrifice a lamb (qurban) for the sake of Allah Almighty on the 27th of Safar.

The Diwan is the known meeting place of the Elite of the Community or so-called “Ahl ad-Daira” (people of the circle) and/or “Ahl at-Tasarruf” (the People of the Power of Free Disposal). The Shaykh Sidi Abdellaziz Debbagh said in the “Kitab al-Ibriz” (“The Pure Gold”) as reported by his student Sidi Ahmed ibn Mubarak al-Lamti,

“The Diwan is in the cave of Hira which is where the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) undertook pious devotions – God’s blessings and peace be upon him: ‘The Ghawth sits outside the cave. Mecca is behind his right shoulder and Medina is in front of his left knee. On his right are four pivots (aqtab) who are Malikites, adherents of the school of jurisprudence of the imam Malik b. Anass – God be pleased with him. Three pivots are on his left each one an adherent of the (other) three schools of jurisprudence. Then in front of them is the Wakil who’s called the Qadi of the Diwan. At this time he too is a Malikite from the Banu Khalid who live in the region of Basra. His name is Sayyidi Mohammed b. ‘Abd al-Karim al-Basrawi. The Support speaks to the Wakil, and the latter is called the Wakil (deputy) because he speaks on behalf of everyone who’s in the Diwan.

(…) And I heard him say (God be pleased with him): ‘When the people of the Diwan gather together in the Diwan, they agree on what will happen from that time up to the same time the following day. And they discuss – God be pleased with them- God the sublime’s decree concerning the coming day and the night that follows it.’ He said – God be pleased with him: ‘They have the power of free disposal (tasarruf) in all worlds, the sublunar as well as the translunar, even in he Seventy Veils and even in the world of Raqqa- written with ra and a doubled qaf- Raqqa is located above the Seventy Veils. They’re the ones who have the power to act in it and power over its people, over their thoughts and what suddenly occurs in their hearts. Indeed, nothing suddenly enters their thought except by permission of the people of the power of free disposal (ahl al-tasarruf) -God be pleased with them one and all. Now if this is the case with the world of Raqqa, which is above the Seventy Veils which in turn is above God’s Celestial Throne, then how do you think matters stand with regard to the other worlds.”

(…) And I heard him say (God be pleased with him): ‘The small among the Friends of God attends the Diwan in his body, whereas the great Friend has no hindrance upon him.’ By this he means (God be pleased with him) that the small Friend when attending the Diwan is absent from his locality and his house, and isn’t to be found at all in his town because he goes to the Diwan in his body. As for the great Friend, he arranges things as he wishes. He attends the Diwan but isn’t absent from his house because the Great Friend is able to take on any appearance he wants and due to the perfection of his spirit, if he so wished, three hundreds and sixty-six bodies can be devised for him.

(…) One day I was with him outside the Bab al-Futuh and he began to name for me the great among the godly men- and this despite his being formally unschooled. I then asked: ‘How do you know them?’ He replied- God be pleased with him-: ‘The spirits of those who’ve received the great illumination have their abode in the dome of Barzakh. Anyone we’ve seen in the dome, we know he’s one of the great.’ Then we turned to speaking about the Shaykh Sidi Ibrahim Dasuqi. The Shaykh (God be pleased with him) said: ‘He’s one of the great.’ I began mentioning his glorious feats and the marvels recounted among his miracles. Then he said- God be pleased with him: ‘Though Sayyidi Ibrahim Dasuqi (God be pleased with him) lived from his time up to our day and age, he wouldn’t be attain the spiritual stations of your brother Abdellaziz– he was referring to himself- nor would he advance as much as Abdellaziz advanced from yesterday to today. By God, your brother doesn’t say this out of pride but he says it as an acknowledgement and by way of informing you about God’s favour!’(…) And one day I was entering through the Bab al-Jisa with him when he looked at me and said: ‘At this moment I’m wearing three garments. If one of them were removed and placed over the city of Fez, everyone in the city would dissolve and its wall and foundations, its houses and everyone in them, would return to absolute non-existence.’”

Women in the Diwan: He also said: ‘Women are present in the Diwan, though their number is small. There are three rows of them. This is in the area of the three Pivots who are on the left, above the circle of the first row in the space between the Support and the three Pivots.’

Their Language: “I heard the Shaykh say – God be pleased with him: ‘The language of the people of the Diwan – God be pleased with them- is Suryani because of its conciseness and its combining numerous meanings, and also because the spirits and the angels attend the Diwan and Suryani is their language. They only speak Arabic if the Prophet – God’s blessings and peace be upon him- is present out of politeness towards him.’