SPIRIT OF GOOD MORALS By Shaykh of Islam Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse

Translation and Commentary by

Imam Hassan Cisse

Compiled & Edited
By
Alh. Abdul Hakim Halim

 Preface

The subject of this discussion, Shaykh al-Islam Al-Hajj Ibrahim Niasse, was
a knowledgeable and talented individual and the possessor of many gifts
from Allah, the Almighty. But, if we were limited to describing the Shaykh in
one word, we would definitely say that the Shaykh was a Muslim throughout
his life, in every time, place, and situation. Most assuredly, he was a Muslim
doing his best to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet, peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him. He mentioned in one of his poems,
"If I am asked what is your Madhhab, and who is your beloved, I will definitely
answer that the Prophet (SAWS) is."

Early in his life, Sh. Ibrahim joined the Tariqa Tijaniyya which is a tariqa based
purely on the Qur`an and Hadith. And if we are herein to describe the Tariqa in one
word, again we will say that it is simply to rule oneself according to the teaching of
Qur`an and the teaching of the Prophet (SAWS). The Tariqa Tijaniyya was founded
by Shaykh Ahmad Al-Tijani, may Allah be pleased with him, who lived from 1737
to 1815.

The Tariqa was passed on to Sh. Al-Tijani directly from the Prophet (SAWS). It
should be noted that to see the Prophet after his death is not impossible. Up to this
day, virtuous Muslims are still seeing him and meeting him. In a hadith reported in
Bukhari, the Prophet (SAWS) said,"Whoever sees me in a dream has seen me in reality because Shaytan cannot take my form."

And in another report he said,
"Whoever sees me in a dream will see me".

Therefore, we should know that to see the Prophet (SAWS) today is not impossible,
that Allah provided this gift for His beloved and righteous servants.
(Page ii)

Since Sh. Al-Tijani passed, many of the Ulama of the Tariqa have come and
performed their duty in propagating Islam and expanding the Tariqa, such as
Sh. Umaru Futi, Sh. Muhammad Al-Hafiz Al-Tijani, a Mauritanian Shaykh
who brought the Tariqa to West Africa for the first time, Sh. Al-Hajj Abdullahi
Niasse, the father of Sh. Ibrahim, and Sh. Al-Hajj Malik Sy. People who were
contemporaries of these great leaders respected them as eminent Ulama
and whoever met them or read their writings also considered them to be
highly knowledgeable.

In time, the responsibility of leadership passed to the hand of Sh. Ibrahim
Niasse who was to play an even greater role in spreading Islam and the
Tariqa in that area of the world. Indeed, he has achieved accomplishments
in this field that have no parallel in the history of West Africa. To this day,
contemporaries bear witness to his achievements, whether they were with
him or against him.

The Tariqa Tijaniyya was a major motivating force in the life of Sh. Ibrahim.
As was mentioned earlier, it is based on Qur`an and Hadith, and the wellknown hadith which appears translated below best capsules the intent,
substance, and developmental thrust of the Tariqa Tijaniyya:

On the authority of `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "One
day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may the blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him) there appeared before us a man whose
clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no
signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He
walked up and sat down by the Prophet (SAWS). Resting his knees against
his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said:

 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.' The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: 'Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform the Prayers, to pay the
Zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the Pilgrimage to the House if you
are able to do so'. He said: 'You have spoken rightly.' He said: 'Tell me about
Iman.' He said: 'It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His
Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in Divine Destiny, both the
good and the evil thereof.' He said: 'You have spoken rightly.' He said: 'Tell
me about Ihsan.' He said: 'It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing
Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you.' He said: 'Then tell
me about the Hour.' He said: 'The one 'Then tell me about its signs.' He said:
'That the slave girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see the
barefooted, naked, destitute herdsmen competing in constructing lofty
buildings.' Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then he said:

 'O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?' I said: 'Allah and His
Messenger know best.' He said: 'It was Gabriel (AS), who came to teach you
your religion.'"

It was related by Muslim. It should be obvious from this Hadith that a human being has greater needs than an animal. In the same way he needs food for his body, he also needs
to feed his spirit; and the best food for the spirit is the Remembrance of Allah. Zikr provides the direct link between the servant and Allah. Surely there is wise counsel in the saying: "The Remembrance of Allah is the means to acquire Sainthood, to be one of the Awliyya."