Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Ali Cisse (born 1955) is the spiritual leader of the
Tijaniyya Sufi
Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, ...
order. The Tijaniyya is the largest Sufi order
in Western Africa and its leader is responsible for nearly 300 million Sufi adherents.
[The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre: "The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World"]
2009
Early life and education
Cisse is the second son of Shaykh Ali Cisse and Fatima Zahra Niasse, daughter of Shaykh
Ibrahim Niass
Ibrāhīm Niasse (1900–1975)—or french: Ibrahima Niasse, wo, Ibrayima Ñas, ar, شيخ الإسلام الحاج إبراهيم إبن الحاج عبد الله التجاني الكولخي ''Shaykh al-'Islām al-Ḥājj Ibrāhīm ibn al- ...
, major leader of the Tijānī Sufi order.
[Tijani.org: "Shaykh Tijani Cisse: New Imam of the Fayda Tijaniyya"]
retrieved June 29, 2013 He studied under his father Ali and grandfather Ibrahim in Senegal focusing mostly on Arabic literature and poetry.
Thereafter, he went to Egypt where he lived with his elder brother, Sufi scholar
Shaykh Hassan Cisse who was in his last year of advanced study. In 1974, he graduated first in his class at the Al-Azhar preparatory school receiving a diploma in
Arabic language.
In 1977, he received a B.A. in Arabic Language from
Al-Azhar University
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and in 1981, he earned a M.A. in Theology later serving on the faculty of Al-Azhar University in the department of
Hadith (or religious edicts)
Career
After completing his education in Egypt, he went on a religious mission to
Africa, the
Middle East and the
Americas
The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World.
Along with th ...
to seek converts to
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
(or
Dawah) through religious debates and public speaking.
At the same time, he published several books including a complete edit of Shaykh Ibrahim’s ''Kashif al-Ilbas'', published a collection of Shaykh Ibrahim’s writings (which he named ''Sa’adat al-Anam''), and assisted in the publication of a comprehensive collection of Shaykh Ibrahim’s supplications, ''Kanz al-Masun.''
On August 15, 2008, Cisse was unanimously elected to the Imamnate by the leading members of the Tijaniyya Sufi order
Cisse is based in
Senegal and serves as the Imam of the Grand Mosque in the village of Medina Baye, now part of the city of
Kaolack, one of Western Africa's key positions of Islamic leadership.
The Tijaniyya Sufi order was founded by Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tijani al-Hasani in the late 18th century.
As the spiritual leader of the Tijaniyya, Cisse is considered have direct spiritual inspiration (or Fayda Tijaniyya) which gives him supreme authority to advise and direct the order's followers.
Honors and accolades
In 2001, he was appointed Senegal’s General Commissioner for the
Hajj
The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried ...
.
In 2006, he was appointed by Senegalese President
Abdoulaye Wade as a “Special Missions Ambassador.” In 1993, he received Senegal’s distinguished award, the Ordre de Merite.
He has been named among the world's 500 most influential Muslims, placing at #23 as of 2012.
[The Muslim 500: Sheikh Ahmad Tijani bin Ali Cisse]
retrieved October 5, 2013
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cisse, Ahmad Tijani Ali
Living people
Senegalese Sufi religious leaders
Sufism in Africa
Senegalese Sufis
Wolof people
Senegalese expatriates in Egypt
1955 births
Tijaniyyah order