Biographical notice
Sidi Mohamed Arbi Alami Lahyani, whose full name is Sidi Mohamed al-Arabi Ben Idriss Ben Mohamed Ben al-Arabi Ben Omar al-Alami al-Lahyani, was one of the notable scholars of Fez and one of the important figures of the Tijaniyya in the nineteenth century. He combined formal scholarship, mastery of Quranic recitation, and spiritual realization, which earned him a distinguished place in the scholarly and Sufi circles of his time.
Early Life
He was born in 1226 AH / 1811 CE in Fez, in his family home located in Derb at-Twil, near the zawiya of the scholar Sidi Mohamed Ben al-Hassan Bennani, known for his commentary on az-Zurqani.
He grew up in this scholarly and devotional environment, then memorized the Qur’an carefully according to the seven canonical readings under the guidance of the scholar Sidi Idriss Ben Abdallah al-Wadghiri, known as al-Bakraoui.
Education
After memorizing the Qur’an, he entered al-Qarawiyyine, where he studied under a number of the leading scholars of Fez. Among his most notable teachers were:
Sidi Mohamed Badr ad-Din al-Hammoumi
Sidi Mohamed al-Amin az-Zizi al-Hassani al-Alawi
Abu al-Hassan Ali at-Tassouli
Abu al-Hassan Allal al-Marini
Sidi Mohamed Ben Abd ar-Rahman al-Filali al-Hajrati
Sidi Mohamed at-Talib Ben al-Hajj
Sidi Ahmed Bennani Kalla
Sidi at-Talib Ben Abd ar-Rahman as-Sarraj
Sidi Idriss Ben Abdallah al-Bakraoui
Sidi Abu Bakr Ben Kiran
This strong scholarly training established him as one of the recognized learned figures of his generation.
Connection to the Tijaniyya Order
Sidi Mohamed Arbi Alami Lahyani was one of the major figures of the Tijaniyya. He received the path and its authorizations from several important Tijani authorities.
He first received it from the muqaddam Sidi Abi Ya‘za Ben al-Khalifa al-Wasita Sidi Haj Ali Harazem Barrada, who granted him a significant authorization.
He was then authorized a second time by the blessed الشريف Sidi Mohamed al-Ghali Abu Talib on the evening of Sunday, 17 Jumada al-Thaniya 1240 AH.
He later received a third authorization from the famous pole Sidi Haj Ali at-Tamasini, by order of Sidi Mohamed al-Habib, son of Sidi Ahmad al-Tijani. He personally wrote a special recommendation for him, allowing him to appoint fifty muqaddams with a restricted, non-transmissible authorization. This document was sent to him in Fez through Sidi Ahmed al-Abdallaoui.
He then received a fourth authorization from the well-known muqaddam Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdelouahed Bennani al-Masri.
These multiple authorizations reflect the exceptional trust placed in him by leading figures of the order.
Scholarly and Spiritual Influence
He combined religious learning, spiritual knowledge, and Sufi instruction. His life illustrates the union of the formal scholarly tradition of al-Qarawiyyine with a deep grounding in the Tijani path. In this way, he became one of the men who helped strengthen the presence of the order in his region.
Settlement in Zerhoun
He later moved from Fez to the region of Zerhoun, where he settled in the village of Moussaoua. There he continued his spiritual activity and influence until the end of his life.
Death
He passed away in his home in Moussaoua on the night of Saturday, 15 Jumada al-Thaniya 1320 AH / September 19, 1902, and was buried there.
His shrine later became well known and visited for blessing, showing the lasting respect and spiritual memory attached to his name.
Legacy
Sidi Mohamed Arbi Alami Lahyani left behind both a scholarly and a spiritual legacy. His name remains associated with the learned tradition of Fez, the teaching heritage of al-Qarawiyyine, and the spread of the Tijaniyya in several regions of Morocco. He continues to be remembered as one of the respected figures of that religious and intellectual history.
