Skiredj Library of Tijani Studies
The Tijani path is a lifelong commitment to the recitation of the wird, wazifa, and haylala (specific litanies). These invocations are transmitted to the Tijani disciple by a moqaddem (guide), who himself received permission from another moqaddem, establishing a chain of transmission that goes back to our master, Sheikh Sīdī Aḥmad al-Tijānī, may God be pleased with him, who received the Tijani way directly from our master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) prescribed these litanies to him and promised that through this path, followers would have a way to attain divine presence.
The wird, established by the Master of Existence (the Prophet), involves the recitation of “Astaghfirou Allah” (I ask forgiveness from God) one hundred times, “Salat al-Fatih” (Prayer of the Opener) one hundred times, and “La ilaha illa Allah” (There is no deity but God) one hundred times, to be recited once in the morning and once in the evening. The wazifa consists of the recitation of “Astaghfirou Allah al-Azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwa al-Hayy al-Qayyum” (I seek forgiveness from the Almighty God, there is no deity but Him, the Living, the Sustainer) thirty times, “Salat al-Fatih” fifty times, “La ilaha illa Allah” one hundred times, and “Jawharat al-Kamal” (The Jewel of Perfection) twelve times. The wazifa can be recited either in the morning or the evening, in a group if other Tijani disciples are present in the area, or individually if the disciple is alone.
The haylala, which involves the repetition of “La ilaha illa Allah,” is recited on Fridays after the Asr prayer until sunset. This practice is performed in a group with other Tijani disciples if possible, or alone, with the disciple committing to a number ranging from one thousand to twelve hundred, up to a maximum of sixteen hundred repetitions.
One of the core principles of the Tijani path is to perform the obligatory prayers on time, as fulfilling the obligations, especially prayer, is essential. Only then is the door opened to additional voluntary worship (nawafil) for those who wish to pursue it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated God’s words: “My servant does not draw nearer to Me by anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. And My servant continues to draw nearer to Me through voluntary acts until I love him. And when I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees…”
Notes:
Salat al-Fatih: “O Allah, send Your blessings upon our master Muhammad, the Opener of what was closed, the Seal of what has passed, the Supporter of the Truth by the Truth, and the Guide to Your Straight Path, and upon his family, according to his immense worth and exalted status.”
Salat Jawharat al-Kamal (Prayer of the Jewel of Perfection): “O Allah, send Your prayers and peace upon the source of the Lord’s Mercy, the precious gem that encircles the center of all understandings and meanings, the light of the forming universes, the human embodying the Truth of the Lord, the dazzling flash heralding clouds of beneficial rain, filling everything exposed to it, be it seas or vessels. And upon Your radiant light by which You filled Your universe encompassing all places and locations. O Allah, send Your prayers and peace upon the Eye of Truth, from which the thrones of realities manifest, upon the truest source of knowledge, and upon Your well-guiding and perfectly straight path. O Allah, send Your prayers and peace upon the manifestation of Truth by the Truth, the most exalted treasure, the outflow from You, returning to You, the perfect knowledge of the hidden light. May Allah send blessings upon him and his family, a prayer by which You allow us to truly know him.”