The scholar and judge, Sidi Ahmed Skirj, was one of the prominent scholars of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. He became a member of this order in 1316 AH, under the guidance of several distinguished scholars in the city of Fez. His love for the order and his dedication to acquiring its knowledge led him to delve deeply into its study, and he spent time with many of its prominent sheikhs, especially Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdilawi. Sidi Ahmed Skirj’s passion for the Tijaniyya continued until his death, and he authored hundreds of books and poems that immortalized his love for the order and his attachment to its founder, Sheikh Abu al-Abbas al-Tijani.
Sidi Ahmed Skirj was well-known for composing poetry in praise of the Tijaniyya lodges in various cities, and he wrote numerous poems extolling them, including works about the grand lodge in Fez, the Slaa lodge, the Tetouan lodge, and the Tlemcen lodge. He often turned to poetry as a means of expressing his affection for the order and its symbols, even writing poems on the walls of the grand lodge in Fez. He was also deeply devoted to Sheikh Tijani, and he expressed this love in lengthy poems and collections, such as “The Divine Breezes in Praise of the Tijaniyya” and “The Life of the Perishing Heart in Praise of the Tijani Pole.”
Moreover, Sidi Ahmed Skirj was one of the foremost defenders of Sufism and the Tijaniyya order, where he courageously confronted those who questioned the order during mosque gatherings. He wrote several books in defense of the Tijaniyya, including works such as Qurrat al-Ayn, The Divine Secret, The Necklace of Pearls, The Straight Path, True Faith, The Unveiling of the Blame, and The Cleansed Stones. These writings and discussions contributed significantly to enhancing the image of the Tijaniyya and clarifying its true nature against false accusations.
His strong drive to spread the teachings of the order and defend it was rooted in his faith and sincerity. He viewed these efforts as a way to connect generations to the true teachings of Islam and to confront falsehoods.
As for the reason he joined the Tijaniyya order, Sidi Ahmed Skirj’s attachment to the Ahmadia Tijaniyya began at an early age. He would accompany his grandfather, Sidi Abdul Rahman Skirj, to the Maghrib prayer and the remembrance session (Wazifa) at the grand lodge in Fez. Despite his grandfather’s passing in 1311 AH, Sidi Ahmed continued visiting the lodge with his father, Al-Hajj Al-Ayachi, which reinforced his upbringing in a pure Sufi environment. He formally joined the order in 1315 AH under the guidance of Sidi Muhammad Kanoun at the age of twenty.
Sidi Ahmed Skirj renewed his commitment to the order under the mentorship of great scholars, such as Moulay Abd al-Malik al-Alawi and Moulay Abd Allah al-Badrawi, and in 1316 AH, he received an unrestricted license from the noble Sharif Moulay Ahmed Al-Abdilawi, who taught him numerous sciences and secrets. A deep bond of love and brotherhood developed between Sidi Ahmed and the Sharif’s son, Sidi Muhammad. In 1318 AH, Sidi Ahmed Skirj authored his first book on the order, The Radiant Star to Clarify the Methodology, and later The Unveiling of the Veil, which brought him widespread fame in both scholarly and Sufi circles.
The foundation of Sidi Ahmed Skirj’s connection to the order came through Sheikh Ahmed Tijani via several spiritual figures, including the Four Pillars, such as Sidi Muhammad Al-Ghali Abu Talib and Sidi Al-Hajj Abd Al-Wahhab Al-Ahmar. This gave his license depth and established strong spiritual ties with the Sufi community.
His chain of transmission is known as the Golden Chain, which is renowned for its high lineage, as it connects directly to Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tijani, may Allah be pleased with him, through his successor, the pole Sidi Al-Hajj Ali Al-Timassini, from the gnostic Sidi Ahmed Al-Abdilawi, may Allah be pleased with them all.
