1. Abu Madyan came from an obscure family and his parents were poor.
13 Facts About Abu Madyan
1. 2.
Abu Madyan left for Fez at about the end of the Almoravid era or at the beginning of the founding of the Almohad state.
3.
Abu Madyan was particularly fascinated with mysticism by Sidi Ali Ibn Harazem.
4.
Abu Madyan went to Mecca where he met the great Muslim saint, Jilani, and completed his spiritual training under him.
5.
Abu Madyan's beliefs were in opposition to the Almohade doctors of that town.
6.
The sheer amount of fame and influence that Abu Madyan evoked raised serious concern from the political powers of the time.
7.
Abu Madyan's funeral was widely commemorated by the people of Tlemcen and he has been considered the patron saint and protector of Tlemcen ever since.
8.
Abu Madyan's tomb became the center of fine architecture and is still a place of pilgrimage for many Sufis today.
9.
Abu Madyan emphasized futuwa but only when accompanied by the obedience of devotees to their master, the avoidance of disagreements between devotees, justice, constancy, nobility of mind, the denunciation of the unjust, and a feeling of satisfaction with the gifts of God.
10.
Abu Madyan gained immense popularity because he was relatable, despite his high scholarly status.
11.
Abu Madyan had a personality and way of speaking that united people from all walks of life, from the common people to the academics.
12.
Abu Madyan's school produced hundreds of saints and out of the 46 Sufi saints in the Rif region, 15 were his disciples.
13.
Abu Madyan encouraged the free expression of emotions rather than rigidity, but made known his support of asceticism complete devotion to God and a minimalist lifestyle.