Sheikh Ahmad Tijani bin Ali Cisse is the spiritual leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. The Tijaniyya is the largest Sufi order in Western Africa, and its leader commands a following of millions, who see him as their guide to true Islam.
Birth: 1 January 1955 (Age: 68)
Source of Influence: Preachers & Spiritual Guides, Scholarly, Lineage: Lineage
Influence: Spiritual leader of around 100 million Tijani Muslims
School of Thought: Sunni, Traditional Sunni, Maliki, Tijani Sufi Order
Status: Featured in current year
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani bin Ali Cisse is the spiritual leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. The Tijaniyya is the largest Sufi order in Western Africa, and its leader commands a following of millions, who see him as their guide to true Islam.
Leader of Tijani Muslims:Â Cisse became leader of the Tijaniyya following the death of his elder brother Sheikh Hassan Cisse in 2008. He is the Imam of the Grand Mosque in Medina Baye, Senegal, which is one of Western Africaâs key positions of Islamic leadÂership. Tijani Muslims are located throughout WestÂern Africa and further afield. As an order, Tijanis give allegiance to their sheikh giving him significant influÂence as a leader.
Education and Activities: Sheikh Tijani Cisse (b. 1955) studied Qurâan, Arabic and classical texts with both his father, Sheikh Ali Cisse, and his legendary grandfather, Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse. He then conÂtinued his studies at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, studying Arabic and Usul Al-Din (theology). Upon completing his studies, he travelled extenÂsively throughout Africa, the Middle East and AmerÂica attending numerous conferences and participatÂing in religious debates. He also managed to edit and publish several important works, including Sheikh Ibrahimâs Kashif Al-Ilbas.
Posts:Â In 2001, Sheikh Tijani Cisse was appointed Senegalâs General Commissioner for the Hajj. In 2006, he was again recognised by Senegalese PresiÂdent Aboulaye Wade and appointed a Senegalese âSpecial Missions Ambassadorâ, a position he holds until the present time. He has also received Senegalâs distinguished award, the Ordre de Merite (1993).
Descendent of The Tijaniyya Founder: The TiÂjaniyya is a Sufi order founded by Ahmad Al-Tijani Hasani, an Algerian, in the late 18th century. As the spiritual leader of the Tijaniyya, Cisse is considered to be the bearer of a spiritual inspiration called the Fayda Tijaniyya (âfloodâ or âoverflow of spiritual graceâ), giving him authority to carry on the teachÂings of Ahmad Al-Tijani Hasani. Because of this poÂsition, some Tijani Muslims refer to Cisse as âthe reÂviver of the Sunnahâ. The Tijanis are characterised by strict following of the sunnah, recitation of spiritual litanies (awrad) individually and in gatherings and an emphasis on developing an inward relationship with God.
âYou can only go to Paradise or to Hellfire, and you have to work for Paradise in this life. This is the way, and here, is the place to work for reward in the Hereafter.â
2001 CE the year he was appointed as Senegalâs General Commissioner for the Hajj
1781 CE is the year the Tijani Tariqa was founded