Ahmadou Bamba

Ahmadou Bamba (1853 - July 19th 1927) is a Moslem Théologien , marabout resulting from a line of marabouts. He was born with Mbacké, a city rested by his great-grandfather in the kingdom of Baol.

Sheik Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥabīb Allāh, also called Khadimou Rassoul, will become one of the most important figures of the Islam of the area and will found the Confrérie of Mourides. Its compatriots call affectionately it Sheik Ahmadou Bamba.

History

Wire of marabout of the the brotherhood of Xaadir (Qadiriyya) - oldest of Senegal -, Ahmadou Bamba was an ascetic Moslem and mystical which wrote on the meditation, the ritual ones, the Koranic studies and manufactured amulets amulet for its followers. Although not supporting the French conquest, it did not take part in the guerilla whom carried out the most famous marabouts Tidjane S. It preach peace however successfully and promise the paradise with its disciples. It founds the town of Touba in 1887. Having managed to convert several kings of the area and being able to mobilize very many disciples, it is shown by the French colonial administration to prepare a Holy war. Also, it is exiled in 1895 with the Gabon. It is released in 1902 and turns over to Dakar in 1902, after 7 years and 9 months of exile in the Equatorial forest, then is sent in Mauritania between 1903 and 1907. From its exiles, many legends were born.

After 1910, the French authorities realize that Bamba did not wish the war, thus since the doctrines of Bamba served them, they decide to collaborate with him. Bamba accepted the Légion of honor for its assistance in military recruitment for the First World War. Its movement taken of the width in 1926 when the construction of the Grande Mosque of Touba, where it is buried, started. Its tomb is a place of pilgrimage. After its death the Brotherhood of Mourides, was directed, with an absolute authority on its disciples, by its heirs.

Its memory

Ahmadou Bamba is révéré by its faithful like a saint, which is not very orthodoxe for Sunnite S. It remains only one photograph of Ahmadou Bamba. This image is reproduced in painting on the walls, the buses, the taxis, etc everywhere in Senegal.

Each year several hundreds of thousands of its disciples carry out in commemoration of his departure in exile in Gabon a pilgrimage in the Holy City of Touba. This pilgrimage, organized the 18 of the lunar month of Safar and commonly called Large Magal de Touba , is the occasion of an enthusiastic communion for the pilgrims who regard it as the day of their safety.

Its thought

Inviting the men to turn to God, preaching to it not violence, the search of the useful knowledge, work, peaceful courage, determination and faith as a God. He declared: " I fear only GOD, I carry my hopes as a GOD, nothing is enough for me if it is not the religion and science. "

Tests

the Sheik was the object of several tests among which, that of the famished lion of the zoological garden of Sor. " This day, it was locked up with a lion which showed itself as flexible as a sheep. " The peaceful and wise Sheik, always declared: " Jamais I will not carry damage to anyone. " Locked up in a dungeon, the Sheik recites to the sourates cow and of the family of Imrane.
The father of the historians and poets of the Confrérie of Mourides Serigne Moussa Ka tells us: " This day, the Sheik have a vision of his mother Sokhna Diarra who exhorted it to continue to serve God and her Prophète. One night of Friday, its enemies locked up it in an obscure cell where daggers and points were planted. " Sent by its Lord, the Gabriel Angel protected Sheik Ahmadou Bamba which was not wounded. It was led in a lane where a bull drawn up to kill was launched against him. To its first load, it fell stiff, dead in front of the Sheik thanks to the assistance of the Ange Gabriel. Aboard ship, at the time to make its ablutions for the prayer of midday (Zuhr), a lady is presented in front of him with the firm intention of to prevent it. At this point in time the angels intervened. They carried the Sheik to water surface where it made, in peace and peace its prayer. In Congo, the Sheik had all the problems. He was thrown in fire by mercenaries wanting to make their own law, but the flames saved the servant of the Prophet. " This day it was precipitated in a fire by its enemies buried with the image of the Prophet Abraham, the father of the monotheism. "

See too