The 18th Day of Safar is a very important Date for all Tijaniyat. Moulana Sheikh-L- Islam Alhaji Mukadam Mohammad Awwal (RTA) has make us to understand that this is the date in which our Master the Seal of the Sainthood Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) entered into his Supreme Rank of “al-Qutb al-Maktum” (The Hidden Pole).
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani (RTA) migrated from Algeria and entered into Fez (Morocco) in the year 1213 AH, at the age of 63.
Then in the Muharram of the next year, 1214 AH, Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) (RA) entered into the Maqams of the Qutb al-Ghawth (The Master of the Saints of his Age) and then the Khatam al-Awliya (Seal of all the Saints of all times), which is also known as Maqam al-Khatmiyyah or Khaatam al-Wilayah al-Muhammadiyyah. This took place in the holy mount of Arafat (although Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) was physically present in Fez at the time!) at the age of 64.
Then on the 18th of Safar of the year 1218 AH, Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) entered into his highest Rank of al-Qutb al-Maktum (The Concealed/Hidden Pole) or Maqam al-Khatmiyyah (The Station of Concealed-ness). This Rank is concealed because Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) mentioned about himself that, “He has a hidden rank whose reality is not known to anyone but Allah (SWT) and the Muhammad (SAW)”. He also mentioned that the Prophet (SAW) personally mentioned to him (while awake and not in a dream) that he is the “Qutb al-Maktum” (The Hidden Saint).”
Some scholars of the Tijani Taraqa have mentioned that Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) (RA) entered into the Maqam al-Khatmiyyah (of al-Qutb al-Maktum) in the same year in which he entered into the Maqam al-Khatmiyyah (of Khatam al-Awliya), which is 1214 AH.
This is the opinion of the venerable authors of the Kitab al-Jami and al-Munyah.
However, the Qutb Sidi al-Arabi bin al-Sa’ih (RTA) has substantiated in the Bughyah that Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) entered into his highest rank of Katmiyyah four years later, i.e. in the year 1218 AH.
In any case, what is established for sure is that Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) entered this Maqam of QUTB AL-MAKTUM on the 18th of Safar.
Many Tijanis in various lands celebrate this occasion by holding big gatherings of the fuqara on this day. While such celebrations are not a teaching of our Tariqah, there is nothing wrong with them if they are done properly and with a good intention. For it is always good to invite fellow Tijani brothers to make Wazifah, eat together and discuss about Allah, Rasul (SAW) and our Master (RA).
Do note also that these above-mentioned dates only imply Sayyidna’s entering into these Sublime Maqams in the Physical Human Manifestation of Existence, and not in Reality.
As for Reality (Haqiqah), Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tijani (RTA) was the Khatam al-Awliya and al-Qutb al-Maktum, even before he was born, and even before the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. He was always there, and will always be there, for it is an eternal Hadrah.
This is in the same manner as our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who was the Khatam al-Anbiya and Habib-Allah forever…even before he was born and as a child, but he only announced his Maqam at the age of 40.
We ask Allah through the Seal of His Prophets, Muhammad (SAW) and the Seal of His Saints, Ahmad (RA) to never cut our rope from Him and Them. Forever, Amin.
An extract of Sidi Imam Fakhruddin bin Ahmad al-Tijani
(Servant of the Tijani Door)
