Our Tijani Mother

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is originally by Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani.  Please note that the names have been Arabised. 

Sayyidah Fathimatu Zahrah Niyas (q.s.), also known as Yafathu, was the eldest daughter of Shaykh al-Islam, Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (q.s.), the wife of the Shaykh ‘Ali Sisi (q.s.), and the mother of Imam al-Faydhah, Shaykh Hasan ibn ‘Ali Sisi (q.s.).  She is justifiably renowned as the daughter of a quthb, the wife of a wali and the mother of a wali.  This great waliah of Allah (s.w.t.) is nearly ninety now.  We du’a pray for her health. 

In her earlier days, she would teach the Qur’an, pray five times a day in the Grand Ibrahimi Mosque, and regularly travelled to Makkah, Madina and Fez.  Her du’a was most mustajab, and her karamah is well known.  Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din had the honour of visiting her thrice, once with Shaykh Hasan (q.s.). 

In is narrated that in the early years of her marriage, she experienced a few miscarriages. So when she was pregnant with Shaykh Hasan (q.s.), she asked Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (q.s.) for a special prayer for safety.  The shaykh gave her the Sandal of the Prophet (s.a.w.) that he had her keep in her room and in her sight.  He also advised that the baby be delivered on his own personal bed.  The baby was delivered safely.  As he was the child of an “‘Ali” and a “Fathimah”, the shaykh named the baby, “Hasan”, and prayed that he inherit the Secret of Sayyidina Hasan ibn ‘Ali (r.a.).  The complete du’a he made at that birth is preserved. 

Among her sons are also Shaykh Ahmad Tijani Sisi and Shaykh Muhammad Mahy Sisi.  When Shaykh Tijani was born, Shaykh Ibrahim (q.s.) immediately named him, “ash-Shaykh at-Tijani”.  The father, Shaykh ‘Ali Sisi (q.s.) wrote, “I pray that my son becomes a complete khalifah of Shaykh at-Tijani.” 

Sayyidah Yafathu Niyas (q.s.) was pregnant with Shaykh Mahy (q.s.), she saw the Prophet (s.a.w.) ordering her to name the child, “Muhammad al-Mahy”.   She hid the dream from everyone.  When the baby was born and was taken to Shaykh Ibrahim (q.s.) for naming, he named the child, “Muhammad al-Mahy”.  “Mahy” is one of the names of the Prophet (s.a.w.), and it means, “The Eraser”.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) was named “Mahy” because he came to erase kufr and shirk from the hearts of people.