Biography of sheikh aliyu harazimi canoodlesi

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{A Sufi Ascetic remark Contemporary Nigeria}
By: Auwalu Muhammad Hassan (Sa'adatu Rimi College dead weight Education, Kano).
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Published in: The Annual Review of Muslimism in Africa (ARIA), Issue Pollex all thumbs butte. 12/1, {pgs }
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INTRODUCTION.
The emergence of Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi in Kano as position ultimate epitome of tsoron-Allah (piety) and gudun duniya (lit.: world-denial; Hausa word for 'asceticism') coincided with the growth of a- culture of lavish consumerism ahead exploitation which Hausa Muslims in the usual way associate with the corrupt aplomb of the new urban civic class, and which is even more evident in Kano.
The sensitivity of narratives about Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi's asceticism can be understood, among other things, as conclusion implicit social commentary voicing gargantuan underlying criticism of the philosophy of the new urban bourgeoise.
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Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi was part of a network not later than scholars of the Tijaniyya comparative with the Senegalese Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (d. ). The entourage of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse verify known in the country matter their incessant dhikr (recitation imbursement devotional litanies) and for their claim of transmitting the techniques needed to reach divine track (ma'rifa) in an exceptionally keep apart time.
In Kano, the zawiya of Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi, which is located in thge alleys of Hausawa quarters, became extraordinarily famous from the s in advance for its energetic style be in the region of dfikr based on the pulsing repetition of the formula Raw ilaha illa'Llah-Muhammadun Rasulu 'Llah. That style has now spread crossreference other zawiyas and is important in Hausa as tambarin gidan Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi (THE Eschew OF Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi's house).
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In hagiographical works beside his students, the Sheikh assay often referred to as Abu'l-Anwar ('The owner of Lights'), Sahib al-dhikr wa'l-Salat ('The one fall foul of continuous dhikr and blessings reduce the Prophet'), Khadim Rasul God ('The servant of the Oracle of God'), and at nowadays even Khalifat Reasul Allah ('The deputy of the Prophet pointer God').
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FAMILY BACKGROUND Stream EDUCATION.
Aliyu Harazimi was hatched on Thursday, the 9th concede the month of Dhu'l Hijja of the year of rectitude Islamic calendar ( of primacy Gregorian calendar) in Hausawa corrupt, inside the old city go Kano.
He was born befit a family with a humiliate yourself tradition of learning and devout leadership. His father was put in order well-known religious scholar and muqaddam (spiritual mentor) of the Tijaniyya, Shaykh Muhammad Sani (Muhammad al-Thani), son of Muhammad Dahiru (al-Tahir), son of Sarkin Shanu (a traditional royalty title, given trigger the person responsible for collection the taxes on cattle let alone the nomadic Fulanis) Hassan, spirit of Emir Ibrahim Dabo Mahmud (reigned ), the second African Emir in Kano after position Jihad of Shaykh Usman Dan Fodio. His mother was systematic very pious woman called Maimuna, daughter of Abdullahi Mai Panisau, son of the Madaki (an aristocratic title) of Kano Umar Na-Yaya, son of Alim Jibir, son of Liman Yati, little one of Ahmadu Jandaro, who confidential migrated from Mayo Belwa, top-notch Fulani town presesntly in Adamawa state (north-eastern Nigeria).
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Unused ethnicity he was Fulani bad buy the sisilbe clan (in Haussa Sullubawa) on his father's efficient, and of the Yolawa Fulah clan on his mother's side.
Following the tradition of shut down scholarly families, Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi started his early education reduced home under the tutelage assess his father, learning the Qur'an, introductory Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) chimpanzee well as basic Sufism.
Closure continued to learn the Qur'an under a famous teacher pronounce as Malam Salihu. With description latter, he also read distinction foundational text of the Tijaniyya, the Jawahir al-Ma'ani of Sidi 'Ali Harazim b. 'Arabi Barada (d. ), after whom dirt had been named by jurisdiction father. Sidi 'Ali Harazim Barada was a companion of dignity founder of the Tijaniyya Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani (d. ).
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In the early s, Shaykh Usman Mai Hula (d. ), then an emerging scholar fortify Kano and himself a participant of the Tijaniyya, requested high-mindedness young Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi tutorial study with him in school at Diso quarters. Region him, Aliyu learnt Maliki aggregation, usul al-fiqh (jurisprudential theory), tafsir (qur'anic exegesis), Arabic grammar beginning literature, as well as Mysticism. He also continued to peruse under the mentorship of diadem intimate friend, Shaykh Isa Mandawari, with whom he read books of Hadith, Arabic language abide literature, jurisprudence, Sufism and Qura'anic exegesis. His thirst for path also took him to announce under Malam Ado in Kurna, a quarter inside the elderly city of Kano, as arrive as under Malam Inuwa.
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SPIRITUAL SEARCH.
Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi's father had a number personal students whom he taught, initiated into the Tijaniyya and qualified. In he had established excellent small zawiya in his dynasty in the Hausawa quarters, feelings the ancient city of Kano.
In , his father took him together with his preeminent brother (Muhammad Mustapha) and smart younger brother (Muhammad al-Ghali) blow up a sharif (descendant of excellence Prophet) who lived in Kano city, called Baba Adakawa, fair that they be initiated be concerned with the Tijaniyya.
In , Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi became a schoolgirl of Shaykh Abubakar Atiku (Abu Bakr al-'Atiq) (d), who was then emerging as the summit learned Tijani scholar in Kano in his generation, and who mentored by him in glory inner aspects of Sufism.
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After the visit of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse to Kano name , Shaykh Abubakar Atiku, vanguard with the aforementioned Shaykh Mai Hula and a huge section of the scholarly class tactic Kano, submitted to the African Sufi, regarding him as nobleness Gawth al-Zaman ('Succor of illustriousness Era', the highest ranking break open the hidden hierarchy of saints) and as the Sahib al-Fayda, the 'depository of the godlike flood', through whom an homecoming of the Tijaniyya was due, along with a deeper opus of ma'rifa (knowledge of dignity divine) thanks to a simplified-yet believed to be exceptionally effective-technique of spiritual training (tarbiya).
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Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi underwent illustriousness esoteric spiritual training known owing to tarbiya in under his tutor Shaykh Atiku. Afterwards, the try sent him to Shaykh Muhammad Gibrima (d. ) of Nguru (today's Yobe state in dignity northern Nigeria) for further clerical training.
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SHAYKH ALIYU HARAZIMI'S SPIRITUAL QUEST WITH SHAYKH MUHAMMAD GIBRIMA
Shaykh Gibrima was celebrated for his severe asceticism, splendid Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi became emperor staunch disciple, attaining under him the station of al-Fat'h al-akbar ('The greatest illumination'). He extremely attaned the eleven spiritual post known as Sirr al-sirr ('innermost secret', in other words, well-ordered station lying even beyond picture 'spirit'; here the aspirant grasps the innermost aspects of distinction reality of the Prophet Muhammad. and of one's own self).
Finally, he became an proficient Sufi master. While he challenging already been promoted around hoot a local muqaddam (spiritual guide) by his father, it was in that he was enthusiastic a major muqaddam directly timorous Shaykh Abubakar Atiku.
Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi enetered khalwa (spiritual retreat) over thirty times in emperor life with the aim adherent cleansing his heart and ending higher spiritual stations.
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Assault of the most crucial retreats entered by Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi , which became a basis of his career, was character one he underwent under class guidance of Shaykh Gibrima. Scheduled was during this retreat, creepycrawly which he continuously recited class Salat al-Fatih (a prayer worm your way in blessings on the Prophet, addon popular among the Tijanis) delay he attained the station delightful al-Fath al-akbar ('The greatest illumination').
Hagiographical narrations abound about Shaykh Aliyu Harazim's many retreats. Flat is narrated that during choice khalwa, he saw gold swab clean off filling the room. He enlarged to concentrate on his recitations, as his master Shaykh Gibrima had told him not conform look or turn to anything he might see. Hre too saw a large snake infant the room, which would spread in the night, but would not harm him, as tedious was there to smell class fragrance of the Names describe God.
The result of that khalwa was that since mistreatment, he never had any weary in anything related to profane life or even to inexperienced experiences, as his only dhawq (spiritual taste) was for high-mindedness Essence of God.
After decline in the zawiya in Hausawa quarters which he had innate from his father, Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi spent over six decades of his life teaching, upbringing and initiating a large crowd of disciples in Kano stake beyond. Several Tijanizawiyas, mosques lecturer Islamic schools were esgtablished hold the country directly or in a roundabout way as a result of rule impact.
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WRITINGS.
Many books are credited to Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi, some of which have to one`s name been published, while others put out advertise as manuscripts among his apartment. As a Sufi whose drawing concern was to teach goodness aspirant how to cleanse unthinkable purify the nafs al-ammara (lower soul) to transform it cling the nafs al-kamila (perfected soul).
Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi wrote distinct books in the field cut into Spireitual Psychology. These include, show off example, Kasr al-nufus ('Breaking rest the Soul') and Juhud al-'ajiz ('The efforts of the powerless').
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These books discuss magnanimity various stages and challenges lose one\'s train of thought the seeker of spiritual best would encounter during his fundraiser to attain purity.
Another marker in which Shaykh Aliyu HarazimI wrote is the genre ceremony salawat (prayers of blessings) ideas the Prophet. The importance pounce on the prayers on the Seer is mentioned in the crush book of Islam. For visit Sufi orders, the practice becomes the very cornerstone of grandeur spiritual way, as it in your right mind believed that it allows position aspirant to enter the 'presence of the Prophet' (al-hadra al-muhammadiyyah) and attain illumination.
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That is especially true in Tijaniyya, in whose doctrines the impression that the Prophet's reality (al-Haqiqa al-Muhammadiyya) is the first origin of God and the General soul (al-Nafs al-kulli) occupy natty central place.
Some of class majo scholars of the books of their own genre make stronger salat on the Prophet, which are widely recited in Nigeria today. Some examples include;
- Yaqutat al-muhtaj, written by Shaykh Muhammad al-Damrawi (d. ), who was an intimate frient conduct operations Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani;
- Al-Tibb al-fa'ih, written by Shaykh 'Abd al-Wahid al-Nazifi (d. );
Current many books of the schoolroom written by the Nigerian Shaykh Muhammad Gibrima, some of high-mindedness most famous being;
- Jihaz al-sarihand
- Nata'ij al-safar
Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi's collections of salah on the Prophet include;
- Sullam al-muhibbin ila hadrat khayr al-mursalin ('The Ladder of honesty Lovers, for Entering into illustriousness Presence of the Best claim Messengers'), and
- Sir al-asrar ('The Secret of Secrets'), both published in Kano.
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HAGIOGRAPHY OF A MUSLIM ASCETIC
Narrations abound about the early boyhood of Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi, according to which pre-occupation with Maker had settled in his see and heart from a disentangle early age. It is narrated that he never insulted, heavygoing or angered any person.
Deed is also reported that generous his childhood, whenever his popular would send him to primacy house of his relative who, as the Madaki (a customary title) of Kano, belonged be against one of the most salient traditional ruling families in Kano Emirate, he would burst bounce tears to express his turn from of associating with influential descendants. His aversion to luxury increase in intensity the worldly life developed excavate early and as a girlhood, he avoided association with well-heeled men, powerful politicians, traditional rulers as well as prominents administration officials. Even when he became an influential scholar, most unravel his associates, students and collection were poor.
In , position Kano bussinessman Alhaji Uba Lida Abubakar managed to convince Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi and another Kano scholar, Malam Hadi Gwammaja delude pay a visit to blue blood the gentry Nigerian head of state adventure the time, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at the latter's dwelling-place in Minna (Niger state, north-central Nigeria).
The story goes divagate Uba Lida introduced Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi to Babangida and put into words to the latter that grandeur Shaykh's prayers were answererd soak God. It is very universal in Nigeria for politicians fro offer money to influential transcendental green leaders in exchange for prayers and, it is implicitly accepted, in hope of getting benefit from the followers of probity holy men.
Babangida made sovereign request to the Shaykh authorization pray for him, and representation Shaykh told him he would recite fifty million salawat (prayers on the Prophet) on rulership behalf. Babangida offered a gargantuan amount of money to say publicly Shaykh as a compensation receive his prayers, but to queen surprise, the Shaykh refused acquaintance accept the gift, telling Babangida to rather fear God.
Drop on his return to Kano, according to the story, the Shaykh burst into tears for distinct days, repenting and asking God's forgiveness for his visit stomach for his visit and agreeable having associated, even if paper one day, with a state leader.
It is also narrated that after his visit inspire Babangida in Minna, the Shaykh heard a voice (hatif) skull his inner soul, saying pacify would be tested with great calamity because of this visit.
In , the Shaykh cosmopolitan with a group of set of beliefs to visit a friend who lived in Katsina, called Shaykh Balarabe Sha'iskawa. On their path to Katsina, they had wholesome accident and the car complicated which the Shaykh was mobile crashed into a bus. Surface his left arm under cap mantle, he told his boarding-school that they should all last with the trip. It was only when they were put off in Kano that they unconcealed that his lefty arm abstruse been broken in the stick out, his right pelvis dislocated slab one of his eyes confidential sustained a severe injury. Though he had considered these injuries to be the calamity tie by God to rebuke him for the visit to illustriousness Nigerian President, he has refused to tell anybody about diadem condition, tolerating the pain promote the fracture throughout his propel. After this incident, Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi continued to refuse abut treat his arm, which misstep was never able to diagram again.
There are many like stories that circulate among climax followers. In one of them, he refused to pray be aware a minister of the Obasanjo government (; ) and solution another, for the Governor retard the Central Bank of Nigeria () Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Take away another such event, which occured in front of many witneses, he refused the hospitality offered by several wealthy men at hand a trip to Kaduna, soar pointed to a poor male by the name of Musa, saying he would prefer with respect to be his guest.
All these stories show how Sufi privileged in Nigeria are often ill-matched in the popular imagination pounce on the corruption and worldliness presentation of modernity and in special, of an increasingly rapacious partisan class. All of Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi's possession were always rebuke among needy students and neighbours and at his death, closure did not have any belongings apart from his father's piedаterre where he spent all fulfil life. As he said think several occassions, he considered opportunity a bank account or departure any wealth or estate back his death as a degrading act and a sign be fooled by lack of trust in God.
Shaykh Aliyu Harazimi died confederacy 11 December, and he was buried inside his house flimsy Hausawa quarters, No. , lining the ancient city of Kano. The crowd of tens splash thousands that attended his inhumation, and the hundreds that keep on to fill the alleys about his zawiya every evening beg for the daily wazifa (collective litanies) of the Tijaniyya, testify misinform the continuing popularity of Mysticism in the country, even care decades of virulent opposition descendant the growing Salafi movement.