Ahmed Sijilmasi (full name: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Yūsuf al-Sijilmāsī al-Tilimsānī al-Ḥanbalī; died 1794/1795 CE, 1209 AH) was a prominent Moroccan [[Sufi]] saint, scholar, and spiritual master of the 18th century. He is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the lineage of the [[Darqawa-Shadhiliyya]] Sufi order, particularly as the teacher and spiritual guide of its founder, [[Mawlay al-ʿArabī al-Darqāwī]].
Life and Background
Born in [[Sijilmasa]], a historic city in southeastern Morocco, Ahmed Sijilmasi was deeply learned in Islamic sciences and profoundly immersed in Sufi traditions. His full name suggests a potential geographical connection to [[Tlemcen]] (al-Tilimsānī) and adherence to the [[Hanbali school of thought]] (al-Ḥanbalī), though he primarily lived and taught in [[Fes]], which was a major intellectual and spiritual hub in Morocco.He was a revered spiritual successor in the [[Shadhiliyya]] Sufi order, a mystical tradition that traces its origins back to the 13th-century saint Abū al-Ḥasan al-Shādhilī. Sijilmasi was highly esteemed for his profound knowledge, unwavering piety, and ascetic lifestyle, attracting numerous students and disciples seeking spiritual guidance.
Teachings and Influence
Ahmed Sijilmasi's teachings focused intensely on the purification of the soul (''tazkiyat al-nafs''), strict adherence to the [[Sunnah]] of the [[Prophet Muhammad]], and fervent devotion to God. He emphasized the paramount importance of constant remembrance of God (''dhikr''), continuous self-reflection (''murāqaba''), and the spiritual struggle (''jihād al-nafs'') against one's lower self and worldly attachments.His deep spiritual insights and practical methodology resonated with many. Among his disciples, the most renowned was Mawlay al-ʿArabī al-Darqāwī (1737–1823). After Sijilmasi's passing, Mawlay al-ʿArabī formalized and widely disseminated the spiritual teachings and practices he had inherited, leading to the establishment of the [[Darqawiyya]] branch of the Shadhiliyya order. The Darqawiyya quickly grew to become one of the most influential Sufi orders in North Africa and beyond.