Who is Shaykh Bulala V

HIS SUFI TENDENCY II
An interesting fact worthy of admission is Shaykh's approach to Sufism. One wonders where one can conveniently fix him to. Going by Paden's categorization of the Tijaniyyah order, he succinctly categorised the order into two viz: the Traditional Tijaniyyah and the Reformed Tijaniyyah. One is apt to say that Shaykh did not fully fit into both though he claimed allegiance to the later than the former, the more reason why Solagberu regarded his tendency and approach to the order as distinct.
As stated ab initio that Shaykh had been developing himself spiritually at a tender's age while he was studying he Qur'an at Offa, he later felt dissatisfied with this and decided to travel to Ilorin where he is optimistic to meet great Sufi Masters of his time in tandem with Ibn Khaldun's position where he said, "a scholar's education is greatly improved by travelling in quest of knowledge and meeting authoritative teachers of his time". Sufism they say is a way of life and a science of knowledge!
He began this training under the tutelage of Shaykh Bashar Adangba, a prominent Sufi leader at that time in Ilorin. This man was reported to have initiated him in line with the terms and conditions of the order. Having been Shaykh Bashar's protégé for sometime, the great Shaykh Bashar sensed a great deal of spiritual prowess in the young Shaykh Jami'u, this later paved way for his freedom as could be inferred from his excerpt:"...I bless you and nobody shall be your teacher again from today from today. But never forget your wirid in the way of Shaykh Tijani..."
Shaykh Jami'u further went to renew his initiation(tajdid) from Shaykh AbdulRahman Alabidun, for the reason best known to him. Shaykh Alabidun was also one of the renowned Muqaddam in Ilorin at that time.
However, there is controversy on whether Shaykh Jami'u did Tarbiyyah or not? Tarbiyyah in this parlance is the spiritual training whereby the Muqaddam systematically trains his protégé till he attains the realm of spiritual  perfection. (For more on tarbiyyah, watch out in my book, "Who is Shaykh Bulala") While some believe that he underwent tarbiyyah from Shaykh Bashar, majority hold that he never did and the consequences of this is obvious as he turned majdhub to the extent that people worse still his kinsmen thought he was mad.
He returned to Offa after accomplishing his aim in 1945 and continue his normal way of worship in seclusion. He was reported to have stayed indoors for over twenty years. Hey! One may be skeptical how far truthful is this? Who motivated him this far? From his pagan background, how is this possible? He has not married then, who was taking care of him? Going by the Shari'ah, is it acceptable not paying the daily salawat congregationally talkless of forsaking 'idul prayers? These are among likely questions one may posses on how far true are these.
However, in response to all these lingering questions, it suffices to say that Shaykh was motivated by some of the Shuyukh(Plural of Shaykh) he met in Ilorin, and had yearned for more in own his case. More so, it has been earlier espoused that Shaykh was divinely guided going by the religious antecedent of his parents. In the same vein, veritable sources have it that Alhaji Muhammad Awwal Adeoye of Arole's compound in Offa, a staunch loyalist of Shaykh was the one taking care of him while he was in seclusion. I succumbed to believe that Shaykh spent most important part of his life in seclusion when I got to know that he actually married at the age of fifty! Just like Shaykh AbdulQadir Jaylani. This man was a rare gem in our contemporary age. On the last question on whether it is Shari'ah compliant or not to stay indoors chanting dhikr and forsaking congregational prayers, watch out for my little scholarly argument in my much anticipated book about Shaykh Bulala.
PS****
So far, we have concluded our series on the Sufi Tendency of Shaykh Jami'u. We see Shaykh as a man who was divinely guided by Almighty Allah. He stood distinct among his contemporaries when one realise the number of years he spent solely on ibadaat. May Allah continue to bestow His mercy on baba. Next in the series will be his impact on the Tijaniyyah brotherhood in Offa. Most of the references I alluded to will be well elucidated in my book. Watch out!!!

Comments

  1. When and where can we see the book pls

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very soon In-sha-Allah, I will let you know when it is ready

    ReplyDelete

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