The sermons of the Mahdi and Issa pse
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise be to God, who grants His help to whoever asks Him, who aids whoever seeks His assistance. There is no deity except Him, and there is none worthy of worship except Him. Blessings and peace of God be upon our Master Muhammad, whom God sent to guide creation to the religion of Truth, so that it may prevail over all other religions, much to the dismay of the polytheists, and upon his family, his companions, and his followers until the Day of Judgment. That being said, I have long been concerned about the danger of loss threatening the legacy of our Master Seydina Limamou Lahi (peace be upon him), which consists, in reality, only of his recommendations, words of wisdom, advice, and sermons that he left behind. He, as everyone knows, left behind, after his passing, neither houses, nor flocks, nor money, but only sermons and recommendations that he held dear. These sermons, which are as follows, he transmitted in the Wolof language, then instructed some of his prominent disciples to translate them into Arabic so that they could exhort (Muslims) on certain occasions. Those who translated them into Arabic were scholars, well-versed in grammar, literature, the Arabic language, and religious sciences, such as the commentary on the Quran and Hadiths, among others. The most distinguished among them were Sheikh Abdou Gaye (may God have mercy on him) and Sheikh Makhtâr Lô (may God have mercy on him). The latter even wrote a great book on the life of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (peace be upon him) and the history of his path. He titled this book: “Bushral Mouhibbîn wa tayqîzoul Jâhilîn.” “The Happiness of Friends and the Awakening of the Ignorant.” A few days before his passing, Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) ordered that his sermons be collected and read aloud to the faithful, in order to personally confirm their authenticity and to remove any errors that might have been introduced through reproduction, so that everything would be correct and accurate. However, the passing of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) and his close companions, who heard him directly from him, and the subsequent reproduction by many hands, not all of whom were as versed in religious sciences (grammar, literature) as they were, meant that these sermons became subject to numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and other matters. This pained the hearts of many disciples who had not had the chance to live with Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi Al Mahdiyyou (Asl). They intensely desired to have access to the authentic teachings and sermons of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi. Among them were Professor Assane Sylla and myself. He wrote about this in his book: “Colonial Persecutions against Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl).” However, God, the Generous, granted us the favor of bestowing upon us the beloved Khalifa Seydinâ ‘Issâ, son of Seydinâ ‘Omar Mandione (Rhml), son of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl). It is he, the Caliph, who, since assuming leadership of the Layene path, has exerted enormous efforts to improve upon the path laid down by his grandfather, Seydina Limamou Lahi Al Mahdi (Asl). He thus saved these sermons from loss. He instructed me to gather the manuscripts, correct them, and compile them into a single book to serve as a reference for all. I therefore followed his recommendation and collected various manuscripts as a basis for my work. I then composed this book as he had requested. After completing it, I submitted the work to him and his brothers: El Hâdji ‘Abdoulâhi, son of Seydinâ ‘Issâ Roûhoul Lâhi (Asl), son of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl), and El Hâdji Alassane, son of Seydinâ Mandione (Rhml), son of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl). May God grant us the blessing of this Caliph, the lives of his brothers, for the sake of their fathers, their grandfather, and for the sake of the Glorious Quran. This work was completed on Wednesday the 25th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1393 AH, corresponding to November 30, 1973. I titled this book: “Irchâdou ‘ibâdillâh ilas sawâb min khutoubis Seydinâ Imâmillâh.” “A Guide for the Servants of God to the Authentic Sermons of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl).” I have arranged these sermons according to their popularity. I placed the most famous among them first, followed by the next. I then included the two sermons of Seydinâ ‘Issâ Roûhoul Lâhi (Asl), son of Seydinâ Limâmou Mahdi (Asl), his eldest son and his first Caliph. It was about him that Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) had said: “If I were to die before transmitting what my Lord has commanded me (to transmit), this son would complete it.” Seydinâ ‘Issâ (Asl) was in his tenth year. And so it came to pass as he had said. The Layene guides, as well as their followers, the Sheikhs, disciples, teachers, and students, cannot do without these sermons, especially the Senegalese who attach paramount importance to the writings of the Layene.
Saints of their countries. All the errors contained in these sermons are my own, and not those of the original translators. We humble ourselves before God, the Most High, the All-Powerful, so that He may approve and accept our effort, that it may be sincere in seeking His pleasure. He is the One Who hears, the One Who is near, the One Who is generous, the One Who answers His servants. El Hâdj Mouhammad Sa’khîr Gaye (may God have mercy on him).
First sermon of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
“This sermon is the most well-known of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi’s (Asl) sermons, for it is the only one with which the Layene guides exhort their disciples during the two religious festivals (Eid al-Adha “Tabaski” and Eid al-Fitr “Korité”). It contains recommendations, words of wisdom, and beneficial exhortations. Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) exhorts believers to unity, brotherhood, love, fear of God, trust in Him, sincerity in all actions, remembrance of God, and to consume only what is lawful. He draws their attention to the fragility of this world, commanding them to abandon it and cling to what endures.” He instructs them to take care of their families, and further explains the qualities of a religious leader, his obligations to God, and his duties towards his followers, all after defining the responsibilities of any leader in a country or village, as well as the responsibilities of judges and landlords. He also reminds them of death and how it comes unexpectedly, and of the states of fear in the afterlife. He then completes his recommendations with exhortations to repentance, prayer, the enjoining of good, the forbidding of evil, and mutual clemency.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May God’s blessings be upon Sayyidina Muhammad. Praise be to God, and may His blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of God. (Having said this,)
Praise be to God, who created all creatures and placed His Messengers among mankind, and who, from among them, chose Muhammad and made him superior to all the Messengers; he is the best of creation. And likewise, God has made His people the best of peoples. May God bestow His favor and peace upon him, his family, and his companions.
Having said this,
This message is addressed by Limamou Laye to all his followers and to all Muslims, men and women, adults and young people. May peace be with you and your families, and may divine mercy be upon you. The purpose of this message is to send you greetings and inquire about your well-being: how are things going, how are you, how is your home, and whether you are living in peace? I urge you to redouble your efforts to obey God and His Messenger more fully and to strengthen your faith. Do good to one another. Love one another. Religion is generous availability, meaning availability towards God, His Messenger, His Book, religious leaders, and all Muslims. Being available towards God means recognizing His Oneness, fulfilling His commands, abstaining from what He forbids, and advising others to do the same. Being available towards His Messenger means believing in his Mission, affirming it, following his commands, abandoning what he forbids, and practicing his tradition. Being available to His Book (the Quran) means reading and rereading it often and practicing what it prescribes. Being available to religious leaders means loving them, following their advice, assisting them in matters related to religion, and advising others to adopt the same attitude towards them. Being available to all Muslims means loving them all, for as the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A believer should love all believers and should not hate any of them,” and as he also said: “A true believer should wish for his fellow believer what he wishes for himself.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not hate one another, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and maintain good relations with one another.” I advise you to strengthen your bonds through love, for the inhabitants of Paradise love one another. Abandon enmity and hatred, for you are brothers. Know that one believer is a brother to another. As God, the Most High, has said: “The believers are but brothers, so settle the differences between your brothers and fear God that He may have mercy upon you” (Quran, chapter 49, verse 10). Know, O believers, that a believer must remain united with other believers, and they, in turn, unite with him. Whoever does not do so will not receive God’s help. Do not seek to outdo one another in acquiring the riches of this world. Rather, seek competition in attaining the riches of the Hereafter. This is what brings eternal wealth and high honors. Do not be greedy for the possessions of this world, for this world is like a corpse (unfit for consumption). Only dogs and vultures eat such a carcass. Detach yourselves from this world, do not follow it, for it is a dwelling that will age and disappear. And its disappearance is near. Beware of hearsay and rumors, for often what is said and heard does not correspond to reality. Have only good suspicions about your brothers. Avoid bad suspicions. God is ever watchful for the suspicions of His servants. Do not neglect to remember God wherever you are. Remembering God diminishes bad deeds and multiplies good ones. And whoever accumulates many good deeds and few bad ones will have Paradise as his abode, God willing. God, the Most High, said: “Remember God while you are standing, sitting, or lying down” (Quran, Chapter 4, Verse 103). Reflect upon the wonders of God, such as the creation of the heavens and the earth. God has commanded that His remembrance be multiplied, for He, the Most High, has said: “Remember God often and glorify Him morning and evening” (Quran, chapter 33, verse 41). Remember God in all places, for these places will bear witness in your favor on the Day of Judgment. Consume and drink only what you have honestly earned, ride only on what has been honestly earned, and wear only clothes that have been honestly earned. Use nothing but what you have rightfully acquired. What is rightfully acquired is what you have earned honestly. The BiIll-gotten gains will be the first thing to be torn from a person’s stomach on the Day of Judgment. Ill-gotten wealth can spoil great riches, just as a spoonful of blood can taint a calabash of milk. Similarly, a small amount of ill-gotten wealth can spoil great riches honestly earned. A sign of human depravity is appropriating whatever one desires, without regard for the honest, dishonest, or shady means of acquisition. O my companions, men and women, I urge you to cleanse yourselves (mind and body) in this world, for it is better to do so here than to be subjected to this cleansing in the Hereafter. As God says: “And they found before them what they had earned” (Quran, Chapter 18, Verse 49). Those who take note of people’s actions and words remain vigilant at all times and let nothing pass. Be zealous in obedience to God and His Messenger, and repent at every moment. Regret what has already passed, rectify what can be rectified, and make good resolutions. Serving God is a duty of every creature, for God, the Most High, has said: “I did not create mankind and jinn except to worship Me” (Quran, chapter 51, verse 56). He, the Most High, has also said: “They were only asked to worship God in sincere faith” (Quran, chapter 98, verse 5). Worship God and do not become complacent as if you were safe from God’s plans. “None of them are safe from God’s plans except the losers” (Quran, chapter 7, verse 99). Persevere, body and soul, in the sincere fear of God and humility. Fear God, fear His punishments and calamities, and hope to obtain His mercy through the intercession of the sanctity of His Messenger (peace and blessings of God be upon him). Do not rely solely on the merit of your deeds. Divide your heart between hope in God and the fear of God. Cultivate this fear of God with care, as it truly deserves. He said in His Book: “The best provision is the fear of God, so fear Me, O you who possess understanding” (Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 197). God, the Most High, also said: “Worship your God until death comes to you” (Quran, Chapter 15, Verse 99). I, Limamou Lahi, who am speaking to you, want you to know that everything I advise you to do for the good deeds, both in body and word, I practice myself, God willing, to such an extent that you cannot do the same. Follow my example and emulate my actions and words. If you do this completely, I will guide you on the path to salvation. I advise you to avoid backbiting, slander, lying, betrayal, and spreading rumors about someone you dislike. Avoid jealousy, hatred, pride, and ostentation. Purify your actions by dedicating them to God. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his companions: “Do not hate one another, do not be jealous of one another, do not distance yourselves from one another, do not provoke one another, and avoid humiliating one another. Be brothers, O servants of God.” I, too, advise you to do nothing other than this. I advise you to practice prayer regularly. The first thing a person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment is the performance of prayer, as well as adherence to its rules and conditions. I advise you to take care of your families. Each of you is a shepherd, and the shepherd is responsible for that in his care. The leader of a country will be held accountable for how he governed his country. The judge will be held accountable for the affairs of the village. The head of a family will be held accountable for his family. The owner of a room will be held accountable for its use. The wife will be held accountable for the respect she showed for her husband’s room and bed. The servant will be held accountable for how he managed his master’s affairs. Likewise, the various parts of a man’s body will bear witness to what has been done. Therefore, I urge you to fulfill your family duties properly. A negligent head of household will be accused by his family members before God, the Most High. They will say, “O God, this man was our leader, yet he never advised us to worship God. Therefore, bear the burden of the harm he has caused us.” The extent of the harm will then be assessed, and the entire amount will be deducted from his wealth. If he has no wealth, an amount equivalent to the harm will be taken from the sins of his family members and added to his own. If his family members have come to this, it’s because of…’Blindness and terror strike them at the sight of Hell, its torments, its flames and sparks, while they do not know how to be saved. This is why the head of the family is held responsible for the harm resulting from his failure to advise or educate his family members. Similarly, women will say, “O God, that man was my husband on Earth. He beat me to enforce respect for his bed. He never beat me for disobedience to God and His Messenger, or for failing to perform prayers, ritual washing, ablutions, and fasting. He never forbade me from dancing, frivolous songs, gossiping, or insulting others. O God, bear the harm he has thus inflicted upon me.” The sons will also say: “O our God, take from our father the harm he owes us: he did not give us a name that appears among the names of the saints, he did not educate us, he did not make us aware of anything from the Book of God; he did not forbid us what God forbids; he did not advise us to practice the commandments of God, he abandoned us, and left us with complete freedom to do evil, O God, therefore take from him the harm he has inflicted upon us.” The slaves, both men and women, will say, “O our Lord, this man was our master on Earth. He ordered us to work, entrusted us with errands to satisfy his own needs, and acted arrogantly towards us. Yet he never commanded us to obey God and His Messenger. And when we had finished working for him, he left us completely free to do as we pleased. He taught us nothing about God’s commandments, nor did he forbid us what God forbids. O our Lord, bear upon him the harm he inflicted upon us.” 7 God is a just Sovereign. To every creature, He will pay what is due to them as harm on the Day of Judgment, so that no one will owe anything to anyone. Likewise, on the Day of Judgment, there will be harm that may result for you from everything you possess: sheep, goats, horses, camels, poultry, or anything else. Every person responsible for harm will be punished by the amount of the damage they caused, for God has forbidden injustice to Himself and decreed its prohibition among His servants. God knows all and forgets nothing. Everything you have done is recorded in the Book of God (Lawkhil Mahfouz) until the Day of Judgment. It is a Day to be feared; secrets will be revealed. Whoever has a good deed to their credit will enjoy its reward, while whoever has a bad deed to their detriment will suffer its consequences. Be quick to repent; do not hesitate too long when it comes to doing good. Whoever intends to do good should act quickly before the opportunity slips away. Conversely, whoever is about to do evil should grant themselves time so that they may abandon their plan. God inspires the practice of good deeds in whomever He wishes to bestow His favor. Be patient and bear with one another patiently. Unite and fear God so that you may be among the successful and be saved from God’s painful and violent punishment. I advise you to circumcise the young boys and marry the young girls, for death seeks you at every moment. Death is the destiny of every living being. God, the Most High, has said: “Every soul will taste death” (Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 185). Death comes only unexpectedly; it interrupts future plans, orphans children, and ultimately scatters groups (of friends, relatives, or others). Death is a drink of regret that every soul will consume. After drinking it, the one who performed good deeds will regret not having done more good. The one who did evil will also regret it, where regret is of no use. Death will separate those who love each other: two spouses, a mother and her child, two friends, two intimates. It will reduce every house to ruins. Many countries, large cities, and villages have ended up as deserted places. Many are these abandoned places that, before their decline, were filled with people, with beautiful buildings and houses that death has finally annihilated. Remember the day when God will command Asrafil to blow the trumpet. On that day, as soon as he blows it, no one will be missing; angels, humans, jinn, and all other creatures will awaken and stand. It is the day when a child’s hair will turn white from fear. So fear that day and do good deeds for it. Whoever has their good deeds before them will be filled with joy. All the Messengers of God, all the Saints, and all those who know God fear it.On that day, a woman breastfeeding a child would be blinded to the point of no longer recognizing her child, and a pregnant woman would miscarry out of terror. People would be seen agitated by a frenzy stemming not from drink, but from the intensity of God’s torment within them. 8 Know that it is the duty of every religious leader to fervently practice the commandments of God and His Messenger, and to advise his followers to do the same. He must instill in them the fear of God’s torment, constantly remind them of God, warn them, and exhort them to turn away from evil. He must not seek to obtain from his followers advantages that are more important to him than their observance of God’s and His Messenger’s commandments. He who calls people to God, who claims to possess the straight path, who seeks followers and is primarily concerned with enriching himself at their expense, or the religious leader who allows his followers to behave as they please without warning them, or who promises them salvation in the Hereafter without it being through their observance of the commandments of God and His Messenger, is a man who has brought God’s wrath upon himself. Furthermore, he has misled and condemned his followers. On the Day of Judgment, they will demand that their religious leader repay the harm they have suffered. But they could only do so if they were unaware of their guide’s lies. Indeed, if they had followed this guide, knowing his lies, or if they followed him because they appreciated the laxity of his principles and his leniency towards their sins, then it would be of no use to them to demand compensation, for they are like their leader, destructive jackals. O you believers, fear God, fear death and the intoxication of agony, as well as the violence of the soul’s extraction (from the body of the dying). Fear the darkness of the grave, the questioning by the angels, the torments within the grave, the pressure exerted by the earth, and the long duration of the stay in the grave until the Day of Judgment. Fear the moment of resurrection, the terror of the Day of Judgment, the Sirat Bridge, as well as Hell and the punishments reserved for the disbelievers and the hypocrites. These are words that suffice to convince. No one will escape death. The earth will swallow all that you bring forth. All the wealth you amass will belong to your heirs. Wash yourselves, cleanse yourselves, and become pure; in this world, there is water and soap (water and soap represent repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness, and properly fulfilling His commandments). If you follow what I tell you, you will see its benefit in the Hereafter. If you do not follow it, you will only harm yourselves. You cannot harm God in any way. I am a giver of guidance, and God, the Most High, has said in His book: “The messenger has no duty except to convey [the message]” (Quran, chapter 24, verse 54). And I have conveyed [the message]. Whoever rebels and prefers this worldly life will have as their abode Hell, called Jahim. “Whoever fears the moment of his presence before God and distances his soul from worldly pleasures will have Paradise as his abode” (Quran, chapter 79, verses 37, 38, 39, 40). Know that our time is turbulent; this signifies the end times. Take as an example water that runs dry; what remains at the bottom of the container is always murky. 9. Give charity frequently, for charity averts calamities and unfortunate accidents. It attracts wealth, and on the Day of Judgment, it will provide shade for the one who gave charity. It is written in the Book of God, “Man will only reap what he has done” (Quran, chapter 53, verse 39). Your wealth can only benefit you through the portion that has served to feed you, the portion that has served to clothe you, and the portion that you have invested for the future in a work dedicated to the service of God. Tire your body through the practice of Prayer and fasting. Purify your wealth by paying the obligatory charity (Zakat). God said: “Establish prayer and pay the obligatory charity” (Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 110). Prayer is the pillar of religion. Whoever performs it regularly, adhering to its conditions and modalities such as standing, bowing, prostrating, and supplication, has strengthened the religion of God. Conversely, whoever neglects prayer is a destroyer of God’s religion. However, the prayers of one who does not pay Zakat on their wealth will not be accepted. Strive to constantly enjoin good deeds and forbid evil actions, for as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Those who enjoin good and forbid evil are those whoThey will be seated on the Day of Judgment, in the shade of God’s Throne. Help one another, be patient with one another, make peace among yourselves, be kind to one another, and be generous to one another. God is ever merciful to the believers. “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it” (Quran, chapter 99, verses 7 and 8). May God have mercy on you, grant you peace and blessings, and guide you to the straight path. Amen. May God’s blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Second sermon of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
In this sermon, Seydina Limamou Lahi (peace be upon him) exhorts all his friends and close associates to live together harmoniously, especially between spouses. He explains the considerable reward each can earn by being patient with their partner’s difficult temperament. He also expresses his deep concern for their daily lives and their religious and worldly responsibilities. Are they fulfilling them properly? This concern is reflected in his words, “Azoûroukoum” (I seek refuge in you). It encompasses harmonious coexistence, good relationships, acts of devotion, death and its preparation, the grave, resurrection, the Day of Judgment, the Sirat Bridge, and the Blessed Lake of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He further explains that whoever abandons their pure religion for innovations, magic, and the like will never drink from this lake. He urged his disciples to abandon magic, even that performed through writing (Katban, with a fatha on the kaf and a soukkoun on the ta). He then went on to explain that he was already concerned about their arrival at the gates of Paradise and their entry into it. He completed his discourse on their situation with their encounter with the virgin women of Paradise. Sayyidina Limamou Mahdiyyou (Asl) said, “It is there that all needs will be met.” Then, as usual, he concluded his sermon with prayers for them, for mercy, for protection from Hell, and for righteousness.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to God, who will judge us and will not be judged. May He bestow His favor and peace upon the noble Messenger, the chosen one, Seydina Muhammad, and may God increase His blessings and security upon him.
Having said this,
I, Limamou Lahi, extend my greetings to you, my friends and close associates, and implore God’s grace and blessings upon you and your families. I greet you and ask how your affairs, your families, and your neighbors are doing, how your wells, fields, clothing, utensils, water, etc., are prospering. I also ask how you are overseeing your wives, children, servants, and property, to prevent them from committing wrongdoing, injustice, or harming others. How do you encourage them to learn God’s commandments, avoid His prohibitions, and engage in religious acts? And how do you provide for their food, clothing, shelter, and other needs? And how do you treat them with gentleness and leniency when they fall into certain weaknesses? The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Any man who is patient and lenient with his wife’s bad temper will receive from God the reward He reserved for the Prophet Job (peace be upon him) after the ordeal of his illness. Job was so ill that worms moved him from place to place and fed on his flesh and blood for eighteen years. Then, finally, God restored him to peace and good health, clothed him in magnificent garments of satin and silk, and crowned him with a golden crown. It was after his recovery from illness that God, the Most High, granted him all this at once, by His power. Similarly, any woman who patiently endures her husband’s bad temper will receive from God the reward He bestowed upon Rahmata, the wife of Job (peace be upon him). Rahmata patiently bore Job after he was abandoned by his other wives. She carried Job on her back, as one carries a child, transporting him to towns and villages. She hired out her services and fed Job with her wages throughout his illness. She never ceased to be patient, determined, and to hope in God for her husband until God cured him and restored him to his former prosperity. This change occurred while his wife was away in the city, working to earn money to feed Job. When she returned, she found him in his honor and opulence, wearing a golden crown and silk garments. She did not recognize him. She said to him, “Didn’t you see a man here afflicted with hardship?” He replied, “What is the connection between you and the one you are seeking?” “He is my husband,” she answered. “Don’t you recognize me?” Ayoba said to him. “I suspect it is you,” his wife said. “It is indeed I,” Ayoba said to him, “God, by His power and will, has restored me to good health.” 11 Know, O women of the people of Muhammad, that those among you who patiently bear with their husbands will receive from God the reward He bestowed upon Rahmata, the wife of Ayoba (peace be upon him). We praise God, Sovereign of all creation, for His deeds. God has said in His Holy Book: “The patient will be rewarded without measure” (Quran, chapter 39, verse 10). I am letting you know that I am coming to visit you, just as a master visits his servant. If a servant spends the night in a place at the master’s command, the master should go and see him in the morning to find out how he spent the night and how he awoke. Then he should tell him what he should do during the day, what his work should be, and where he should spend the day, showing him what is good and forbidding him what is bad. So I am visiting you, just as a shepherd watches over his flock. For the shepherd who has tied the animals in the stable and gone to spend the night somewhere else should go in the morning to check on them and see if they have become untied. I am visiting you (It seems that the Arabic expression “asuru kum: I am visiting you” in this sermon has the meaning of “I warn you about,” “I draw your attention to,” or “I remind you…” or “I invite you to reflect.”) regarding your fields in this world and those in the Hereafter. Those that concern your life and those that concern your death. I observe how you live, how you deal with the worries of this world, its sorrows, your plans, and how you promote the observance of the commandments ofGod, like cleanliness (through ritual ablutions and washing), prayer, and fasting. I observe how, in this world, you purify yourselves through the constant remembrance of God, through the frequent recitation of the Quran, through the frequent recitation of the Prayer for the Prophet (Salat al-Nabi), through the frequency of good advice you give to do good and avoid evil, and through your frequent meditation on the wonders God has created, such as the heavens, the earth, the mountains, plants, seas, rivers, and other things. I observe your prayers and the circumstances in which you perform them, such as your promptness in responding to the call (of the muezzin) to go to the mosque, and what you say at the mosque’s door. Like the way you stand in the rows, like the way you begin the Prayer by proclaiming the greatness of God, like the humility of your demeanor, like the proper execution of the genuflections, prostrations, returns from standing, sitting positions, recitations, all the phases of the Prayer, and the final salutation. And then I observe how you remember God, how you pray for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), how you supplicate to your Lord, how you humble yourselves in addressing Him, and how patient you are in awaiting His help. 12 Know that all good deeds are encompassed in Prayer, for Prayer is the pillar of religion. Whoever values it honors religion. Whoever devalues it discredits religion. God, the Most High, said: “Prayer restrains from immorality and evil deeds” (Quran, chapter 29, verse 45). I also address you regarding your tongues, their words and their silences, and regarding your eyes, their gaze and their refusal to look, for God, the Most High, said to the illustrious Messenger in his holy book, “O noble Prophet, command the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity (Quran, chapter 24, verse 30)… and tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity and not to reveal their adornment except what is apparent of it, and to draw their headscarves over their chests and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers…” (Quran, chapter 24, verse 31). I also visit you concerning your travels and your rest. I advise you to travel only for a praiseworthy purpose and to refrain from going out when it prevents harm. Be promoters of harmony, not destroyers of good relationships. Observe your own faults rather than those of others. He who seeks to expose the vices of others risks having his own exposed. I also visit you concerning all parts of your body and your actions. Make your actions as beautiful as possible, rather than debasing them. If you think that I do not know, do not see (what you do), and am not close (to you), know that God, the Sovereign, is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, and Close, and He will reward every soul for what it has done. Let him who tomorrow reaps happiness give thanks to God for His favors and His goodness. On the other hand, whoever reaps misfortune will have only themselves to blame. I also invite you to meditate on those moments of illness, when, lying down, you writhe in pain, then become delirious, seized by anguish, with a body that is hot or cold; those moments when healing remains your only wish. I invite you to meditate on the moment of the soul’s extraction (from the body); it withdraws from the body starting at the fingers and rises to the neck, the eyes then turn upwards, the hands clench, thirst seizes you, the body loses its strength, the voice weakens, the gaze becomes more intense; The soul having passed the chest, the latter snores, the feet grow cold, (meditate) on the arrival of the angel of death, the fear he inspires in those who will be damned, his gaze, his great stature, the redness of his two eyes, the length of the spear he holds, his assistants who accompany him; they are tall and very powerful. I invite you to meditate on these moments, as much as one who loves can invite one whom he loves to do so. I observe how your soul departs, I observe you at the moment your body is washed, I observe the manner in which you are lifted, removed from your deathbed by four or six people. Your body will be folded, unfolded, softened, and placed on the site of the final bath, while you remain lifeless. I invite you to think about entering the grave, the moment you are laid down at the edge of the ditch, the laying of the planks, the moment the bonds (which held) are untied Your burial clothes, the arrangement of the planks and the straw placed upon them, the piling of sand on the grave, and the return of those who accompanied the deceased. The deceased then remains alone in his grave with the sum of his deeds. If these were good deeds, he becomes happy and joyful and realizes the truth of the Messenger of God’s words: “The rest of the righteous is death.” If they were bad deeds, sadness and anguish seize him; he weeps, for his deeds constitute a torment that tortures him until the Day of Resurrection. I also invite you to reflect on the questioning of the two angels whose names are Munkar and Nakir. Both are enormous, they are black, their eyes are large and set in a single socket. Each of them possesses a club so heavy that all men and jinn combined could not move it. Yet this mace is lighter in the hand of each of them than a bird’s feather. And I swear by God that these angels are only merciful to those who benefit from God’s mercy through the intercession of the sanctity of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). These angels make the deceased sit up, question him about the Oneness of God and the truth of the mission of God’s Messenger, Muhammad. If his answer is: “I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except the One God who has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger,” if this is his answer, they make him comfortable, facilitate matters for him, are welcoming to him, respect him, honor him, and love him. Then they return, and the deceased remains in God’s favor until the Day of Judgment. If, however, he does not attest to the oneness of God and the truth of Muhammad’s mission, and is overcome by fear, blindness, and dismay, they subject him to violent torture. They beat him with such intensity that the milk he had suckled from his mother’s breast flows from him. They then abandon him to violent torture that lasts until the Day of Resurrection. I invite you to think about the Day of Resurrection, about the moment you shake the sand from your head, about the moment when mankind will be led to the place where they will stand. Some of them will be beaten, others will be pierced, others bound, others will have their chests pierced through with their own hands, others will be blinded, others rendered mute, others deaf, some will suffer from elephantiasis, others will become lepers, others will be so drunk they cannot stand, and others will be tortured. This day is a terrible day. No one will care for anyone else; everyone will be preoccupied with their own affairs except for the noble Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). I remind you of your march to the place of assembly. This day will be terrible, dark, and long. It is the day of worry. It is the day of regret, the day of thirst, of infamy, of shame, of ruin, the day of tears, the day of attempts at deception, the day of meeting and parting. This is the day when vices will be exposed: on this day, people will be called upon to rally behind their leader. Each will rally behind the one they followed in this world, and in whom they believed. It is on this 14th day that the superiority of the best of creation, Muhammad, his saints, and his people will be revealed. I remind you of the day of the prolonged standing, and the moment the scales will be placed; he whose good deeds weigh heavily will be among the blessed, he will be saved and filled with great joy. He whose misdeeds weigh heavily will be among the damned, will be covered in shame, will fall into bankruptcy and blindness, for God, the Most High, has said: “Those whose good deeds are heavy are the blessed, and those whose good deeds are light are those who have lost themselves” (Quran, chapter 7, verses 8 and 9). I also remind you of the theft of the books sent to their intended recipients. He whose book reaches him on his right side will be among the blessed, he will rejoice, and he will be saved; he whose book descends on his left side will have a face contorted with sadness and will weep. Each book contains the deeds of its owner. Our Lord will not wrong anyone; and in this place, no one will be able to wrong anyone. I also remind you of Sirat, which is stretched over Hell, whose fire will be kindled. It will burn, emit smoke, stretch out with force, and be furious with whoever disobeys our Lord, and hasten to torture him, for God, the Most High, has said: “Hell will burn fiercely, almost bursting forth with rage” (Quran, chapter 67, verses 7 and 8). I swear byGod forbid that whoever descends upon Sirat will be cast into Gehenna, and within that fire are serpents, scorpions, hidden corners, and countless torments, which cannot be memorized. Even if one were to enumerate the torments of Gehenna, there would always remain others unknown to those who have not entered it. May God protect us from them. Sirat is a bridge spanning Gehenna. It is thinner than a hair, sharper than a sword, hotter than an ember, and more mobile than a serpent. Its length is equivalent to three thousand years’ journey. Yet no one enters Paradise without crossing Sirat. I remind you of your arrival at the lake of the Messenger of God. Whoever drinks the water of this lake will never thirst again. He who has traded the sound practice of religion for innovations, magic, or anything else will not drink the water of this lake. If you desire salvation, purify your worship of God, for the love of God and His Messenger. Remain steadfast in these pure practices, even if they are quite limited. Do not mix falsehood, fraud, debauchery, innovation, or magic—even magic performed through writing—into your religious practices. Do not stray toward those who indulge in these things, for tomorrow you will be fallen and losers. I also remind you of your arrival at the gate of Paradise, the rest that will henceforth be yours. The speed with which drinks and food will be served to you, the disappearance of all feelings of fatigue after you have eaten the liver of Bakhemaute, as well as the disappearance of all ailments, worries, feelings of hatred, hostility, and jealousy. Nothing will remain in your hearts but love, happiness, and joy. I remind you of your meeting with your wives, with the daughters and women of Paradise, your entry into the palaces, and into the lofty beds. There, every need will be met. Know that I am your friend; I will not leave you until you enter Paradise. After spending a long time there, you will forget me and you will forget God. May God grant you His mercy. May God ensure your safety. May God make you righteous. God’s blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Third sermon of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
This is the sermon that Seydina Limamou Lahi (peace be upon him) had written and sent to the village of Ngakham because of some tensions that had arisen among the Muslims, specifically between his followers and those of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba (may God be pleased with him), among others. After immediately clarifying the prohibition of disputes and hostility in the religion of Islam, he begins his discourse, as usual, by greeting everyone and invoking God’s Mercy and Favors for them. He inquires about their situation and that of their families. Then he explains to them that our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Mecca, was sent there, and found a religion which he destroyed to establish the practice of Islam, which is the true religion. Whoever believes in him will be saved, and whoever does not believe in him will perish. Then he explains to them that the Master of these times (referring to himself) has come and disagrees with the scholars on certain issues. This is why they have rejected him, even though he calls to the pure religion. Whoever follows him will be saved, and likewise, whoever rejects him will perish. He then explains that in the religion of Islam, the equality of the great and the small, of men and women, must be established in worship. He clarifies that he does not covet their money and possessions; it is simply their duty to give Zakat on all their wealth. He draws their attention to the importance of Zakat in the religion; whoever neglects even a portion of it, even the weight of a single seed, will have it taken from them on the Day when neither wealth nor children will suffice. He then concludes his sermon by stating the purpose of his message, clearly explaining the prohibition of disputes and hatred in the religion, for all Muslims are brothers. Each of them must adhere to the recommendations of their Master, abide by his words, and emulate his qualities. All Muslims must stand united against one another. Then he orders that the message be read aloud to all.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
May God’s blessings be upon Seydina Muhammad. Praise be to God, and may His blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of God.
(Having said this,)
This is Limamou Lahi, the noble and holy master, well-known, who exhorts us to do good and forbids evil, sending his greetings to all his disciples who believe in God and His Messenger, and who have grasped the firm rope of God. May peace be upon you, and may God’s mercy and blessings be upon you. I give thanks to God for His favors upon you; He is the Sovereign, besides Whom there is no other sovereign worthy of true worship. The purpose of this sermon is to extend my greetings to you and to inquire about your well-being, your safety, your families, and your homes. I remind you of who you are, I visit you sincerely, and I ask you how you practice the worship you offer God, how you manage your affairs and families—is it with levity or not? I command you to practice what God and His Messenger command you, and I forbid you what they forbid. Know that Sayyidina Muhammad, may God’s blessings and peace be upon him, was born in Mecca, and it was there that he received his mission as God’s Messenger. He found there a religion which he destroyed and established Islam, which is the true religion of God. Whoever believes in Islam and practices it will be saved. Whoever denies it will fall into disgrace. The master of these times (saydu haza zamani) has come. Between him and the scholars there are differences (in religious understanding), and they have rejected him. Yet he calls to the religion, with righteousness, to God. Whoever follows him and attests to the truth of his mission is on the right path; conversely, whoever denies his mission will fall into disgrace. Know that religion must be practiced by adults and young people alike, men and women. You have read what God, the Most High, said: “For men and women who submit to God, for believing men and women, for righteous men and women, for righteous men and men, for patient men and women, for humble men and women, for charitable men and women, for fasting men and women, for chaste men and men, and for men and women who remember God at all times – for them God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward” (Quran, chapter 33, verse 35). Knowledge is only of value when accompanied by belief in God and fear of God, and when it is put into practice; otherwise, it is useless. Knowledge is very useful when combined with a God-fearing heart. Be zealous practitioners, for you are in the same situation as the early Muslims who were commanded to wage holy war and who fought and shed their blood for God’s religion. As for us, we are not required to wage holy war; I only command you to wage war against the desires of the soul (Jihadu nafsi) (1). This war consists of mastering all parts of your being as much as possible and practicing God’s commandments as He has ordained them. I do not ask you to give me your possessions, nor do I ask you to give me your means of enrichment. But I do ask you for what belongs to God, and which is an imperative commandment from God, obligatory upon you, namely, the payment of the tax (zakat). God has commanded the full and timely payment of zakat. Whoever withholds even an atom’s worth of it will have to pay it on the Day when having children or wealth will be of no avail. You should neither eat nor drink what you owe as zakat. Rather, you should give it in charity. On that Day, the soul will be powerless to avail itself. 17 Whoever God has given a religious guide in this world, who provides good advice and dictates prohibitions, should praise God and His Messenger and thank that guide. Know that zakat belongs to God. Whoever pays it properly will receive a full reward. Whoever withholds a portion of it or spends it elsewhere has committed a sin. Be zealous practitioners and fear God with sincere fear, and worship Him as He has commanded. Be among those who practice with purity. A Messenger of God has no duty other than to convey the message, and I have conveyed it. He who hears the call and follows it performs a good deed; he who hears it and turns away from it has only harmed himself. It is the duty of adults to command children, women, and slaves to practice religion; these practices must be carried out in a sound manner. Keep your animals under control to prevent them from harming your neighbors. Be lenient with regard to the needs of Provide for your wives, and avoid harming them (2). I have learned that some of you, Layene, have had quarrels with their companions who are disciples of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, and with others. These and you yourselves are all Muslims, and there should only be brotherhood among you. There should be no enmity or hatred among the followers of Islam. Know that religion is generosity, love, and mutual support. (1) Let us recall that one day the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, returning from a holy war, said to his companions: “We have just left the lesser war and intend to enter the greater war, the war against the passions of the soul.” (2) It seems that Seydina Limamou is alluding here to the marital duty of being attentive to one’s wife. In religion, polemics and disputes are forbidden. Seeking to belittle one another, to defile one another, to humiliate one another, and rivalry are also forbidden in religion. Do not seek to surpass one another except in righteousness and the fear of God. Let each of you, Muslims, follow the one who is your guide and religious support, practice what he has commanded, and emulate his qualities. Do not place this world before you; leave it behind you. When you receive this message, you must read it aloud among yourselves and among the Muslims present. Gather with purity of intention and unite your hearts for the love of God and His Messenger. However, you may go to those who remain at home (to read the message to them). Peace be upon you.
Quatrième sermon de Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
In this sermon, Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) emphasizes the importance of unity, mutual support, visiting one another, consultation, and renunciation of worldly desires. He informs them that he seeks neither possessions, nor shops, nor livestock, nor merchandise. He does not seek groups of people to cultivate fields for him, nor has he commanded anyone to collect gifts and alms, except what someone gives him willingly, and God will reward every benefactor for their good deeds.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of creation, who has ordained integrity and the beautification of actions. May God’s blessings and peace be upon the best of the sons of Adnan.
(Having said this,)
A thousand greetings from Limamou Laye are addressed to his close friends, his disciples, such as Tafsir Abdoulaye Diallo and all his Muslim relatives, to men, women, and even the chickens in their homes. I wish them to know that I urge them to fear God, the Most High. I command them to do what God commands and forbid what He forbids. I also urge them to unite, to help one another, to visit one another, to consult one another, and to love one another at all times before God and His Messenger. Leave this world behind you. Do not place it before you, for it never fails to betray by surprise those who cling to it. Know that I do not seek to acquire buildings or shops; I do not seek to own cattle, camels, sheep, horses, or donkeys; I do not seek a group of men to cultivate fields for me; nor do I send any emissary to collect gifts or alms. I have not advised anyone to seek to acquire buildings, shops, or shacks. Whoever wishes to follow me must abandon this world and all that it contains, attach little importance to it, and devote themselves wholeheartedly to the works of the hereafter, for it is the other world that is eternal, and the possessions acquired there remain forever. Whoever in this world possesses many buildings, goods, belongings, or sheep, cattle, or camels will inevitably one day have to leave them behind and depart for the next world, where others will vie for them. In the next world, there are intense torments, fear, tears, and anguish, so numerous that they cannot be memorized or enumerated. If you desire salvation, perform good deeds, constantly remember God’s name, regret what you have already missed, and purify your wealth through almsgiving, gifts, and assistance to your relatives. God will reward whoever gives me a portion of their possessions or offers me alms, for He will repay each of His servants for what they have done. 19 If you find someone whose advice is better than mine, or who forbids you from more evil things than I do, then abandon me and follow him. Peace be with him who remains upright and turns away from his passions and pleasures. Praise be to God, Lord of the universe.
Fifth sermon of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
In this sermon, Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (Asl) forbids what is generally referred to as condolence ceremonies. This refers to the organization of a funeral for a day or more after the person’s death. It involves setting up tents and incurring significant expenses. People gather for three days or more.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
To Him alone belongs all praise. He has no partner. Peace and blessings be upon Sayyidina Muhammad, His servant and Messenger.
(Having said this,)
It is Limamou Lahi, the chosen one, the holy master of creation (saydil ‘âlamîna), who addresses all Muslims, men and women, who have left their homes to serve God and His Messenger, with his greetings: May the peace and mercy of God, as well as His blessings, be with you and your families. This sermon aims to warn you about what in your gatherings is harmful to some and useless to those who gather. This refers to the assemblies that form on the occasion of funerals. Know that funeral ceremonies (as they are currently practiced) are not permissible. They are forbidden by Islamic law. Beware of these gatherings. After the burial of the deceased, and the return of those who had accompanied them, and after offering your condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased, disperse and return home. One who comes, offers condolences, and then returns home without sitting receives a greater blessing from God than one who offers condolences and remains seated. One who, after offering condolences, sits and then returns home receives a greater blessing than one who offers condolences, remains seated, and drinks. One who offers condolences, remains seated and drinks, and then returns home receives a greater blessing than one who offers condolences, remains seated, drinks, and eats. One who offers condolences, remains seated, drinks, and eats receives a greater blessing than one who stays one, two, or three days with the deceased. Be aware that the food served at these funeral ceremonies may not be wholesome, as it may come from a mixture of honestly acquired and ill-gotten gains. Indeed, some relatives of the deceased will seek the amount of their contribution even though they cannot afford it, but they will do so out of modesty or fear of being vilified, and they may acquire it illicitly or through dubious means. The reason for this is that some people speak ill of those who do not bring their offering, or those who do not attend the funeral. They say: so-and-so didn’t come, or I didn’t see so-and-so, or so-and-so came but gave nothing, or so-and-so this or that. This is not right, and it has nothing to do with Islam; it is slander, and it is wrong. Know, O believers, that slander is forbidden. Do not cooperate in backbiting, lying, snitching, or in degrading one another. Do not gather at the deceased’s house after those who accompanied him have returned. Whoever wishes to give charity for the deceased should do so in quiet contemplation, humbly addressing God, glory be to Him, and imploring His forgiveness and mercy. Do this at home (not at the deceased’s house). I urge you to devoutly fulfill the commandments of God and His Messenger. Do not become too attached to this world and its possessions, for they are nothing. Leave them behind. Be among those who act righteously for the sake of God and His Messenger. Do not be among those who are negligent in obeying God and His Messenger, nor neglect to advise others. Those who advise what is right for the sake of God, and those who follow that advice in accordance with God’s commands, will be sheltered under God’s throne on the Day of Judgment. Whoever reads this message should convey it to all Muslims, men and women, and extend my warmest greetings to them. May God grant you righteousness, peace, and security—Amen. May God’s blessings and peace be upon Muhammad and his family.
Sixth sermon of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi (PSL)
The text of this sermon was not originally included in the written and published sermons. Professor Assane Sylla provided the text in French in his book entitled “The Mahdi.” We present here the Arabic version to our readers so that they may all be able to read and benefit from it.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of the universe. May God’s blessings and peace be upon the one sent to bring about the triumph of truth and to dispel falsehood. Having said this, peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God. O you who believe in God and His Messenger, this is a recommendation from Limamou Laye addressed to those who are his Mukhadam (his representatives) and who have the authority to bestow the wird (to bestow the wird upon someone is to reveal to them the religious formulas to be recited in the 21st rosary, specific to a religious brotherhood, and to authorize them to practice them upon joining that brotherhood). Know that there are circumstances in which you must act with fervor and without any negligence. I advise you to be lenient with the faithful regarding certain shortcomings and to extend this leniency to all Muslims. Beware of anything that might breed hatred and enmity in your hearts. Constantly strive to cultivate good relations among yourselves and to eradicate anything that might incite enmity in the hearts of some towards others. If a fire breaks out among you, hasten to extinguish it, and let your actions in doing so be solely for the purpose of attaining God’s pleasure. Let nothing else be added to this goal. If you see someone trying to sow discord among the Muslims, stop them, calmly bring them back to reason with gentle words. I advise you to intervene with the faithful gently, making things easy for them. Avoid alienating them and avoid being too rigid in anything you advise or forbid, whether out of obedience to God or for the well-being of the faithful. In this, you must consider what the Messenger of God said: “Make things easy, do not make them difficult, welcome people, and do not alienate them.” You must also avoid the kind of debt that involves taking people’s possessions and promising them salvation in the Hereafter. Turn your attention away from what they possess. Be convinced that it is God, the Most High, who grants wealth, He who takes it away, He who belittles, and He who exalts. Have no other concern than to integrate them into the religion, into Islam. Banish disunity and wastefulness. Do not seek to induce people to give you their possessions, whether small or large. However, you may accept what they willingly give you, without you having asked for it. You must also avoid showing superiority to those who do not hold the position of Muqaddam. Know that you are on the same footing as them in everything I commanded the Muslims in Sermon No. 1. If you fully comply with what I have commanded you, you will benefit in this world and the Hereafter. If you do the opposite of what I have commanded you, you will have only yourselves to blame. On the Day of Judgment, people will seek redress (for harm) at your expense; since you are my representatives, it is you who, in my place, have the authority to give the wird, and therefore you must also, in my place, enjoin good deeds and forbid evil. Do not be led astray by your desires. Desires and Satan will cause those who pursue them to fall into depravity. Strive to live with integrity, to perform good deeds and noble actions, to be good guardians of yourselves, and to wage the great battle against your passions. The virtuous religious leader, son of a virtuous person, Sheikh Ahmad Tidjan, said, from the very beginning of the recommendations he gave to someone who was a Muqaddam in his religious brotherhood: “Enjoin good among your people as much as you can, strive fervently to cultivate a gentle character; the gentle one may very well become a Messenger of God; detach yourself from what people hold in their hands and they will love you, likewise detach yourself from this world and God will love you; the fact that God guides even one person to righteousness through your actions is better for you than anything else.” Peace be upon those who follow the straight path. May God make you upright, and may He ensure your safety and that of all Muslims. Amen.
First sermon of Seydina Issa Rohou Lahi (PSL)
This is the first sermon of Seydina Issa Rohou Lahi, the eldest son of Seydinâ Limâmou Lâhi and his first successor (khalif). He composed it on the occasion of the death of his father, Seydina Limamoul Mahdiyou (psl).
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions. All praise belongs eternally to God, the One who raises the dead, the One who is All-Powerful. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of God, the holy master of all the other Messengers, and upon his family and companions.
(Having said this,)
This message comes from Seydina Issa Rohou Laye, son of Seydina Limamou Laye, who is well-known for his kindness and nobility. It is addressed to all his companions, men and women, without exception, those near and those far away. I greet you and inform you that our father, Limamou Laye, has passed away. He has left this world, this finite abode, and has gone to the Hereafter, the abode of truth and eternity. Know that he urged people to heed his call to God, to a pure religion; he called no one for himself. Let whoever believes in God and His Messenger devote themselves to serving God and purify their worship so as not to associate anything with God. As for those who practiced religion only because they saw my father, Limamou Laye, they have no choice but to abandon their worship, for Limamou Laye has passed away, as have those who came before him. God, the Most High, said: “Every soul will taste death” (Quran, chapter 3, verse 185). He also said: “Everything on earth will perish, except the face of your Lord, the Possessor of Majesty and Glory” (Quran, chapter 55, verses 26 and 27). I also want you to know that Seydina Limamou Laye said: “I am a Messenger; I have been commanded to convey, and I have only conveyed to you what God has commanded me and which was addressed to you, so that you may practice His commandments, purifying your worship wherever you are.” I want you to know that I recommend nothing else to you. I recommend obedience to God and His Messenger. Practice prayer, pay zakat, fast properly during the month of Ramadan; pay the Eid al-Fitr at its appointed time. Pronounce the names of God constantly and abundantly, at all times. Reflect upon the wonders of God, such as the creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. Remain silent about all that is not good, and avert your gaze from that which God has forbidden. Guard your bodies from forbidden and detestable acts. Be patient, for God, the Most High, has said: “O you who believe, be patient and forbearing with one another and stand together and fear God that you may be saved” (Quran, chapter 3, verse 200). Accept God’s decrees and express your gratitude for His favors. Avoid injustice in your relationships, for God has forbidden injustice for Himself and decreed its prohibition among His creation. Forgive your relatives for some of their mistakes. Have good intentions toward those who harbor ill intentions toward you. Also, avoid arguments and disputes, avoid belittling or denigrating one another, and other acts that God has forbidden to His servants. Unite your hearts in goodness, enjoin good deeds, and forbid evil. Whoever believes in God and His Messenger should take our father Limamou Laye as their model of conduct, emulating his qualities and actions. They should not be content merely to say they believe without fulfilling the commandments, for to act in this way is to condemn themselves to failure. My father said, “I have not called you to start a battle or a holy war.” He had neither knife, nor sword, nor spear, nor anything else. He preached the battle against oneself (against one’s passions), which consists of protecting one’s body from practicing what God has forbidden His servants, and striving to fulfill the commandments of God and His Messenger wherever you may be. I, too, advise you all—men, women, and children, free and enslaved alike—nothing other than this. Whoever follows this commandment and testifies to its truth becomes righteous. Whoever deviates from it harms only themselves. God will reward every soul for what it has done. Whoever encounters good should praise God and His Messenger, while whoever encounters evil should blame only themselves. I urge you to remain steadfast in righteousness and to fear God, the Most Great, and to perform good deeds at all times. May God make you righteous. Amen. 24 God’s blessings and peace be upon Sayyidina Muhammad and his family.
Second sermon of Seydina Issa Rohou Lahi (PSL)
This sermon concerns the ceremonies of distributing alms for the deceased forty days after their death. It was delivered on the occasion of a ceremony held for Seydina Issa’s paternal aunt, Thiaba Ndoye, who had passed away. She was a devout servant of God, a believer, and a virtuous woman. She was among those who knew Seydina Limamou and believed in him. On the fortieth day after his death, people, men and women, gathered for the ceremony known as the “alms of the forty nights.” Seydina Issa sent an emissary to them, one of the best among his honorable and sincere companions, named Mody Thiané, a man well-known among the Layene community. After greeting the assembly, he declared: “Seydina Issa Rohou Laye, son of Seydina Limamou Laye, sends you his greetings and asks how you are, how your property, your safety, and your families are prospering. He asks you to abandon the practice of almsgiving during the forty nights, as well as anything associated with it such as celebrations, conversations about worldly matters, trivialities, and other things that God has forbidden to His servants. God, the Most High, said: ‘Man will have nothing but what he has earned, and what he has done will be revealed’ (Quran, chapter 53, verses 39 and 40). It was after hearing this prohibition that the Layene people abandoned these ceremonies until the present day. (We will see that, in the sermon that follows, Seydina Issa forbade not only the almsgiving ceremonies of the forty nights, but also the ceremonies…”) almsgiving on the third and eighth days which are commonly organized).
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Peace and blessings be upon Sayyidina Muhammad, his family, and his companions. All praise belongs forever to God, the One who is ever-present and possessor of His Throne, the One who is majestic in His power. He is the Most Gracious, the One who shows compassion to His servants. He is the Sovereign who created death and life to test His servants, to know those who will perform the best deeds. I bear witness that there is no Sovereign but God alone, and that He has no partner. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. He is the One who commanded us to be righteous, to fear God, and to perform good deeds at all times and in all places, for it is this that brings eternal favor and high honor in the Hereafter. I recommend this to you, as I received it from my father, Limamou Laye al-Mountazar (“Al-Mountazar” means: the one who was awaited). He would constantly tell his companions, “Be steadfast in righteousness, in good deeds, in performing righteous works, and in striving for purification (of your worship of God), wherever you may be. Do not be corrupters, for God, the Most High, does not love corrupters.” I recommend nothing else to you, O servants of God. Furthermore, Seydina Issa Rohou Laye sends his greetings to all Muslims, men and women, who responded to the one who called for God and believed in him: May the peace and mercy of God, the Most High, be with you and your families, and His blessings. The purpose of this message to you is to inform you that I command you to do what God has commanded and forbid you from doing what He has forbidden. Know that there is a tradition that people nowadays have adopted: a gathering they hold at the deceased’s home on the third, eighth, and fortieth days after the death of one of their members. They say it is to recite prayers and give alms for the deceased. On this occasion, they prepare a great deal of food to offer to family, relatives, close friends, and a few neighbors. They organize it as if it were a wedding feast. It may happen that some do not have the means to prepare the food for this alms, so they will go into debt, mortgage their property, or resort to any other means without regard for what is permissible or forbidden. This is the most feared form of modesty, driven by malicious gossip and slander. They do it out of pride. I advise you, my companions, men and women, to abandon this practice, for it is neither good nor beautiful among virtuous people. This practice benefits the deceased and is harmful to those who organize it for their own pleasure. As for the deceased, what is best for serving him in his grave are the good deeds he performed during his life, before his death, for the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The charity you gave during your life, even if it is only a handful of what lawfully belongs to you, is better than a hundred times its value given on your behalf after death.” And God, the Most High, spoke of “the Day when man will see the deeds of his two hands and the disbeliever will say, ‘I wish I were dust.'” (Quran, Chapter 78, Verse 40). Then I inform you that amusements, and all that resembles them, in all things, are forbidden by God, forever, for every adult. May God keep you in peace, grant you righteousness, and bestow salvation upon you. Amen. Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might. He is far above what they describe! And peace be upon the Messengers, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!
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