Abu abd-Allah Sidi Bouziane was from amongst the closest companions of our Shaykh, The Concealed Pole, Sidi Shaykh Ahmad At-Tijani. Despite their young age, they were granted access to the profound spiritual secrets of Sidi Shaykh. However, lacking the maturity to fully comprehend the significance of those secrets, they struggled to restrain their nafs (ego) and began to wield their spiritual governance in ways beyond their understanding. Recognising this, Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani withdrew this power from them until they had matured and were ready to bear its responsibility.

It was a deep desire of the father of Sidi Bouziane, for Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani to transmit to their son some of the secrets. However, Sidi Shaykh warned them with the following response,

“He is still young and I fear that he will not be able to assume this charge.”

Despite this, the father continued to insist Sidi Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani to bestow upon his son these secrets, and so Sidi Shaykh instructed him to go and find a certain Wali (Saint). However, Sidi Shaykh cautioned him against misusing these gifts, harming others, or displaying his spiritual abilities for self-glorification.

They were told the Wali was to be found near the Ajissa gate (Bab Guissa is the main northwestern gate of Fes el Bali, the old wallowed city of Fes, Morocco). Upon meeting the Wali and making his request, he was met with a scolding and told to go away. The father of Sidi Bouziane replied, “It is Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani who sent me to you”. The Wali then replied, “Go to Tuwat where you will find so-and-so. He will give it to you.”

Upon his arrival to Tuwat, they found the Wali and repeated his request, he was again scolded and told to go away. He then clarified, “I have come with the idhn (authorisation) of Seyyidina Ahmad Tijani”. At this the Wali spoke, “Open your mouth”. As soon as he obeyed, the Wali blew into it, and in that instant, the veils of the unseen were lifted, revealing realities beyond ordinary perception. The Wali then sternly warned him to safeguard these sacred secrets, emphasizing that they were not to be misused, particularly against the companions of Sidi Ahmed Tijani.

Sidi Bouziane struggled to adhere to the guidance they had been given and soon became entirely consumed by their prodigious abilities, demonstrating them openly and dwelling upon them both day and night.

Whatever they desired, they obtained instantly. If they wished to harm someone, the effect was immediate. Their name became widely known for their extraordinary spiritual unveiling. On one occasion, while traveling with a caravan through the desert, the group found themselves parched with thirst. He told them, "Dig at this precise spot, and you will find a fresh spring." They did as instructed and, to their astonishment, discovered water exactly as he had foretold.

Yet, amidst his preoccupation with his newfound powers and his neglect of Sidi Ahmad Tijani's warnings, he suddenly witnessed a beam of light emerging from his mouth, only to see it retreat back into the hands of Sidi Ahmad Tijani who was in Fes at the time. The moment the light vanished, so too did his spiritual unveiling.

Realising what had happened, Sidi Bouziane  turned to his father in dismay and said, "Sidi Ahmad Tijani has taken back his trust (amana) and left us with nothing." His father immediately traveled to Fes to plead on his behalf. When he arrived, Sidi Ahmed Tidjani received him and said, "Did we not warn you that he would not be able to bear these secrets?"

Desperate, his father begged for the gifts to be restored, vowing to prevent his son from misusing them. But Sidi Ahmed Tijani replied, "It is no longer possible to return them. However, if Allah wills, he will still serve as a ‘key’—a cause of goodness."

Fatiha