RUUH AL ADAB (SPIRIT OF GOOD MORALS)
By: Sheikh Ibrahim Niass Al-Kaolacky (RTA)
“I NAME THIS POEM AS “SPIRIT OF GOOD MORALS,” BECAUSE OF WHAT IT
CONTAINS OF WISDOM AND MANNERS.” ~Sheikh Ibrahim Niass
This book originated in the year 1920 as a One hundred and twenty one
verse poem written in the Arabic language, in praise of Allah (God),
Glorified is He, and in commemoration of His Holy Prophet Muhammad
(SAWS), named “Spirit of Good Morals”.
It was written by Shaykh of Islam Al-Hajj Ibrahim ibn Al-Hajj Abdullah
Niass, as advice to the “People of Tariqa”, the Tijania Brotherhood in
particular, and to humanity at large.
1. Says Ibrahim the son of Al-Hajj Abdullahi, our glowing moon.
2. Having started with the Name of Allah and Praise, All of it to
Allah the Possessor of great Blessings and Glory.
3. An advice from me to my brothers, adhere to the path of Tijaniyya.
4. A path of pure grace and satisfaction, founded and established upon
the path of the Prophet (SAWS) and the Qur`an.
5. Continuously say the Wird (Litanies) obligatory to this tariqa, By
this benefits are achieved without doubt.
6. You will not profit by taking this tariqa, Except you continuously
seek righteousness.
7. Fulfilling all prescribed conditions, Exemplifying its ethical code.
8. Exalting all its people, particularly the special ones: to them be obedient.
9. When you start to perform this wird, Always discipline yourself as
much as possible.
10. Be of good manners openly and secretly, With it does one climb
unto high positions.
11. And picture in your mind, the Shaykh that brought you up, likewise
his Shaykh without doubt.
12. Always maintain concentration and calmness, likewise seclusion
helps in drawing near (to Allah).
13. Seek for a knowledgeable and experienced teacher with sound
advice, Complete in knowledge of Divine Lord (and of course) a
righteous leader.
14. Submit yourself completely to him and don’t experiment (on your
efforts), Be like a dead person before its washer and you shall be
informed.
15. Don’t oppose him even if it seems wrong (his opinion), be always a follower.
16. For the teacher’s mistake could be more upright and proper, Than
students opinion among people of intellect.
17. Do not turn to other than him in the universe, And be with him as
if there is no universe.
18. For there is nothing for the student other than this Saint (Shaykh
Ahmad Tijani), Alongside with the Prophet (SAWS) and surely his Lord,
the Most High.
19. As long as there is other than him in a heart it will not attain,
The knowledge of the Master (Allah), This I say with all certainty.
20. Be at all times with the Shaykh to profit, Be at all times
tenderly in love to prosper.
21. In proportion to your love for him you receive, His spiritual
providence, the people (Sufis) have said this repeatedly.
22. Spend out of your new and old possessions in seeking, His
satisfaction, and be prompt to his signals, then you will get it
right.
23. And satisfy your Shaykh even if he makes you weep, Because it is
to goodness, he guides you.
24. Be covetous of your time with such greed, Be warned you shall be
afflicted with test of decline.
25. When you see manifestation of opulence, Do not exceed limits, be
content with the manifestation
of dispossession.
26. For all of these (manifestations) are affairs of Allah’s
unfoldings, Glorious is He to be blamed for what He Destines.
27. Do not be anguished when you are afflicted with mischiefs of His
creations, for that you were created. (i.e. to meet such realities of
life).
28. Mischief is made to flow from them so that you don’t rely, On them
– but on Allah should you solely rely.
29. When tested with difficulties and afflictions, Persevere
patiently, for thereafter shall come relief and happiness.
30. For after every night comes the day, And after every hardship
comes the ease.
31. Rather, after every hardship comes double ease, As related from
Ahmad (SAWS) the Legendary Adnan.
32. If you know that, then you shall always be satisfied, (With)
Allah’s decision which at all times must prevail.
33. Whenever you seek a request that is lacking, The dangers of it He
knows and you don’t.
34. He deters what is dangerous (from you) out of His tenderness,
therefore don’t, Accuse our Lord otherwise you shall be abandoned.
35. Were man to know Who the Merciful (Allah) is, He would have been
facing afflictions, a smiling man.
36. Don’t seek exaltation from the creation without, Being exalted by
the Creator, no, never.
37. Don’t be glad with favors you are bestowed with, Be glad with the
Bestower (Allah) if you reason.
38. For every favor will vanish except the Bestower, For that is the
Everlasting all time.
39. Don’t despise any Muslim and don’t mention, people’s faults, for
the faults from you are likely to be seen.
40. Maybe were the one in two tatters of dusty garments, To invoke
bythe Master (Allah), he will be honored as has been reported
(Hadith).
41. Don’t harm a Muslim even if it appears that, he persistently
harms, be forgiving.
42. For indeed, all these creations are Allah’s servants, Do not harm,
oh my brothers the servants of Allah.
43. For you will not be pleased with him who ill-treats your servant,
Even if he does wrong, fear therefore your Lord.
44. Persist in sadness and the taught of death, Don’t forget also the
questioning of the dead (in the grave).
45. It is inevitable to first and foremost seek knowledge And you must
study the laws of Allah (Shari`at) properly.
46. I swear by my life that knowledge is the leader of actions, As was
transmitted from Ta-Ha (SAWS), the best of all messengers.
47. Obtain knowledge of four subjects, oh you traveler, The first of
it is the knowledge of the Lord Possessor.
48. And secondly is to know all that is involved, In the worship of
Allah, for that, you will be certain.
49. And thirdly is to learn the different states of soul, From its
treachery, deceptions and plots.
50. For the soul has its fault, and Heart its fault, And the spirit
its Fault, in these there is no doubt.
51. And the seeking of knowledge of good conduct on you disciple (is
the fourth) For indeed, it is the door for every disciple.
52. Be God fearing, a man of humility, You will not by humbleness be
in abasement.
53. Ilm (knowledge), Gina (wealth), Khisbun (fertility), are words
that came (in pronunciation), With low pitched vowels established in
them.
54. Jahlu (ignorance), Faqru (poverty), Jadbu (infertility) are words
that come, With high pitched vowels established in them.
55. These are signs if you reason clearly, recognize what you have
been inspired with.
56. Not on mountains do flood settle, Nor on trees in disregarding
(their heights).
57. Never be satisfied about yourself, nor hope or Fear other than
Allah, besides Him neglect.
58. Never be arrogant oh my brother or be jealous, Nor do eye-service,
but to your Lord heed.
59. And arrogance arises either because of knowledge, or lineage, Or
companionship, or getting involved in acts of devotions, and wealth.
60. A disobedience that brings about humiliation is better, While an
act of devotion that Results in arrogance is worst.
61. You will never be free from blemish, Except with a Shaykh of
divine knowledge that is constantly consulted.
62. Adhere strongly to the protection of Shaykh’s (of divine
knowledge), If you want to attain a lofty and exalted height.
63. The most excellent Shaykh of all time in any respect, Is our
leader Al-Tijani, the possessor of great virtues.
64. The intermediary and foundation of every scholar of divine
knowledge, he is to them the flowing fountain and the sun.
65. And the best path (of Sufi order) by consensus, is again his path
without any dispute.
66. And, it is impossible to combine its practice with any other (path
of Sufi order), he is ruined (the one who combined it) alongside with
the speaker of such (combination) on the Day of Judgment.
67. He has lied and fabricated against the Lord Majestic, I say (with
emphasis), that this Wird (of Tijaniyya) is great.
68. Adhere to the litanies of this tariqa, Then, I swear by my life,
onto Reality have you been led.
69. (Among these litanies are:) Hizbul Tadara`i, Salatul Fatih, also
Allahumma Alaika Fatih.
70. And such other (litanies) possessed by the great men, The People
of this Tariqa, when you get their permissions.
71. However, it is with great efforts that their secrets are obtained,
Not by laxity or by playing on the intelligence of men.
72. But rather by adhering to what they give firmly, And by following
their instructions always.
73. Don’t prefer colleagues conversations, To sitting with him (your
Shaykh), oh the annihilated one.
74. If so, don’t be desirous of obtaining secrets, For secrets are not
obtainable in public.
75. But if you rather stick to him (your Shaykh) always, You could
succeed from him in obtaining your requirement.
76. You could also gain from him by infection, and this, Has been
confirmed by the men (of knowledge), so watch out.
77. Whosoever does not attain the knowledge of the Merciful (Allah),
his life has been in ruin for all time spent.
78. I created these creations (Allah said) to worship Me, “To worship
Me” meaning “To know Me”.
79. Don’t lessen your effort in acquiring the knowledge (of Allah),
Then you shall be astonished by the
closeness of The Most Merciful.
80. He is manifest in every thing, upon every thing, and by every
thing, before it and yet after it, forever.
81. If you crave for the increase of faith, Immediately repent
sincerely, and follow it with the way of excellency.
82. Don’t hate a Muslim or get angry, Except towards the breaker of
the refined law (Shari`at).
83. Adhere to night vigil and hungry stomach, Eating of what is purely
lawful has equally been enumerated (as away of increasing faith).
84. And give sincerity to fellow brothers or maintain silence keeping
company of, People of excellent morals among close relatives.
85. And a man is in the religion of his close friend, If righteous, he
too will be righteous even if unintelligent.
86. Remember the scales (of weighing actions) and the distribution of
the book (of works), And what is in hell fire of perpetual grief.
87. And what is in the paradise of beautiful virgins, Along with nice
servants and beautiful dwellings.
88. And persist (on worships) of the sin wiping, The strongest (of
such worship) is the salat of this pivot leader (Qutub).
89. Of it is the Musaba`at, morning and evening, imitation of the
Adhan (call to prayer) also, These will be of assistance.
90. Various kinds of Azkar (worships) have been related in the school
thought (of Tijani), Our salat on the exaltedly Dignified (Prophet,
SAWS).
91. The glorification prayers and glorification itself, Likewise
Qur`an contemplation,
92. And two prostrations made in fear (of Allah) and taking of steps,
To the mosques (all these) expiate sins.
93. Likewise, the perfection of ablution and the guiding of a blind
person, as well as Fulfilling peoples needs (all these are among
expiation of sins).
94. And the reflective counting of sea waves and ripples plus, Shaking
of fellow Muslims should be taken advantage of (in seeking
forgiveness).
95. Filling up of Ramadan by a person (with worship) and fasting of
it, keeping night vigils in it erases his sins.
96. Performance of Hajj, Umra and charity in secret, Made from lawful
wealth is indeed a wonderful charity.
97. Teaching of children (Qur`an and Hadith), praying in straight rows
(congregational prayers), All these are mentioned in the Book
(Qur`an).
98. And the following are defects that harden the heart, The love of
leadership is the worst of these defects.
99. Jesting, backbiting, bad sitting companions, Indecency,
slandering, and evil soul (are defects that harden the heart).
100. Likewise passionate desires of mind should not be followed, and
in worldly things, show abstinence without always following.
101. Be like a house carpet and withdraw from everyone, Don’t enjoy
vain talks nor disputes (of people).
102. Take your eyes off people’s faults, And as much as possible pay
them no attention.
103. Give charity out of your wealth for Allah’s sake, Visit Muslim
tombs without cease.
104. Don’t ever swear except you limit (your swearing) To the will (of
Allah) whenever you do swear.
105. Here comes to an end the brotherly advice, In condensed form just
like people of these days.
106. In the year fortytwo, After thirteen hundred (years of Hijra).
107. I name this poem as “Spirit of Good Morals,” Because of what it
contains of wisdom and manners.
108. Seeking excuse of the people of intellect, And just a song of
sayings of an active youth.
109. And for a child of twenty-one years, are reasons acceptable and
beautifully justified.
110. Benefit with this poem all the Believers, Oh our Lord, because of
the magnificence of the best of the Messengers.
111. And make it to be purely for the sake of your Noble self, Oh
Lord, oh the Kind, Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
112. Don’t be deceived and not memorize the Poem, Because I am small
(in age) and from the non-Arab (African country).
113. Allah favors with whom He wants, And Allah is possessor of great
virtues, and Willer (of what He wants).
114. Indeed it has been said in this respect, the illustrious, Servant
of Ta Ha and of Maliki (school of thought), Ahmad (the son of Bamba of
Senegal).
115. A black skinned will never acquire (because of his color),
Youthful stupidity and bad understanding.
116. Oh Lord, Oh Lord, by the magnificence of Al-Haadee (SAWS),
Protect us from every evil of our enemies.
117. Bestow on us with the divine knowledge, And everything desirous,
because of the best of the lineage of the legendary Adnan (SAWS).
118. And cover our faults with your covering, that is the beautiful
(of coverings), And overcome our enemies with your power, that is the
Most Splendorous (of powers).
119. And praise are for Allah who has supported and made easy my
compilation. He is indeed a Wonderful Patron.
120. Then Blessing and peaceful salutations be upon the Prophet
(SAWS), the chosen, the best of creations.
121. On him (is this blessing) and his household, dutiful companions,
As long as every patient one succeeds in attaining the knowledge (of
Allah).***
SALATU L FAATIH
-Oh Allah, bless our leader Muhammad,
-the opener of what was closed,
-the seal of what has passed,
-the helper of truth with truth,
-and the guide to your most straight, perfect path.
-Let this blessing include his household, and be for them of a
magnitude that matches the magnitude of the Prophet (SAWS).
-For his magnitude is (indeed) a great one. Ameen.
Translation and Commentary By CHIEF IMAM OF MEDINA KAOLACK SENEGAL,
Sheikh Al Hassan Ali Cisse.
Compiled & Edited By Alh. Abdul Hakim Halim.
Published by: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ISLAMIC INSTITUTE (Sheikh Hassan
Cisse, Founder and Chairman, .P.O. Box 411 Medina-Kaolack, SENEGAL)
Ahmad Kalalah
Sufi Meadows 