Sidi Abu Abdallah Sidi Muhammad Ibn Ahmed Kensussi Qurayshi al-Hashimi al-Ja’fari was from amongst the elite of the blessed companions of our Shaykh, The Concealed Pole, Sidi Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani. It is said regarding them that their fath (spiritual opening) was recognised in the Tariqa Muhammadiya and that they inherited the secrets of thirty-two companions of Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani thus attaining the maqam (station) of Qutbaniya where they remained for eighteen years.

 

The knower of Allah, Sidi Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Alawi once wrote to Sidi Kensussi saying:

“By Allah, since Mawlana Shaykh, I have not met anyone as great as you!”

 

The calibre of Sidi Kensussi was well known amongst not just the commoners, but also among the elite, having been described as the holder of pure and utter Sainthood. They were a master of all fields of knowledge including, tafsir (exegesis), hadith, fiqh (jurisprudence), doctrine, shariah (islamic law), Tasawwuf (sufism).

 

In the year 1814 (1229 Hijra), Sidi Muhammad Kensussi came to settle in Fes, and as fate would have it, their home was in the vicinity of the Zawiya of Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani. It is because of this they would often walk past the door of the Zawiya seeing Shaykh Ahmad Tijani seated with their noble companions. Among them was Sidi Muhammad al-Ghali, who would fix their gaze upon Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi as they passed, watching them intently until they were out of sight. Noticing this, Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Tijani turned to Sidi Muhammad al-Ghali and remarked,

“O Mulay, I often see you watching that young Berber as he walks past the Zawiya. If you wish, we will give him to you.”

 

Years later, the profound words of Sidi Ahmad Tijani came to fruition, for it was through the blessed hands of Sidi Muhammad al-Ghali that Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi ultimately took the Tijani Tariqa in 1823 (8 years after the passing of Sidi Ahmad Tijani). Regarding this they related the following:

“…This is the reason why I entered the Tariqa. I learnt that this was the path of grace given by Allah to those who, in these times of troubles, are unable to apply the rules of rectitude which were respected by our pious ancestors in the days of spiritual purity. Thus, through His Kindness and Grace, He brought forward the Muhammadiya Path: a path of blessings in this time of corruption, to grant bliss to those that He has chosen.

I wished to join this path but I was somewhat perplexed. When Allah, wanted to end this perplexity, He sent the virtuous Majdhub, Sidi Ahmed Ghiwane to me. He was very compassionate and took great care of me. Every time he met me, he would say,

“I want to bring you to the path of Knowledge, and you keep running away!”

Every time our paths crossed in the course of the day, he would repeat the same words with an angry and loud voice. Then finally, he said to me: “I swear by Allah that if you do not enter the path of Knowledge, I will do this and that to you.” Nevertheless, I found it very difficult to renounce the path on which I already was. Ultimately, I took the path from one of the companions of Sidi Ahmad Tijani who was famous for his sainthood. He took my hand and began to speak of the worth and the elevated position of the Sheikh. Then he said to me,

“Whether willingly of forcibly, you must enter this Tariqa Muhammadiya.”

It was a Friday, and he walked with me to the Zawiya. As we entered the Zawiya, people were praying, and the first words that I heard were the following verses,

 “We have wanted you, we have loved you, this is our gift, hold tightly onto it, because you originate from love.”

Once the authorization had been transmitted to me, I met the Wali Majdhub again and he began to laugh which was not habitual, bursting with joy, and he said to me,

“Receive the great tidings because now you are among the companions of the Sultan.” 

 

In their youth, Sidi Muhammad Kensoussi would stay with the Emir of the believers, Sultan Suleyman, and was also known to be their last vizier.

 

Sidi Ahmed Abdelawi related the following about Sidi Kensoussi,

 “I often used to hear him reciting the following words, “Glory and Purity to You. You are Sublime. O Lord, the situation in which we are has become darkened.”

Once I thought,

“I do not know the reason for his constant assiduity in performing this zikr nor from where he obtained it.” At that moment, he turned to me and replied through spiritual unveiling,

“I saw The Lord in a dream. I was prostrated before Him and I was reciting these words. This is why you can hear me reciting this zikr so diligently.”

On another occasion, I entered his room, I found him in a state of qabdh (spiritual contraction) and anxiety reciting this formula and I said to myself, I absolutely must go out and bring him some optimistic news to relieve him because he loves to rejoice. So I left with this intention and I heard a voice – although I could not see anyone and did not know whence it came – reciting the following verse, 

“He is Our Servant to whom We have granted Our Favour.”

 So I went inside to tell him and he said,

 “You have relieved me. May Allah relieve you.” 

 

Sidi Kensoussi was veiled from this world at the end of the month of Muharam in the hijri year 1294 (1877). Their tomb is located in the city of Marrakech and is well-known for its abundant blessings.

 

Fatiha.