Seeing God: The Nascent Community
Oxford University Press eBooks July 18, 2011 DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195384321.003.0005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that external criticism and antagonism from other Tijani leaders reinforced the coherence of Niasse's early community, and that mystical experiences of visions of God, along with related debates, were central to the movement's expansion. |
Abstract
This chapter offers a micro-history of the early community in Senegal, drawing on letters by Ibrahim Niasse that give unique insights into the movement's formative years. The sources show how Niasse was forced to reign in the excesses of a few overzealous followers, whose flouting of the rules of the Sufi path invited much criticism from outsiders. The mounting tensions lead to the next critical stage in the movement's history, where Niasse founded a new settlement in a move that emulated the Prophet Muhammad's hijra. As the chapter illustrates, the continuing antagonistic responses from other Tijani leaders further strengthened the community's coherence. This mechanism is examined through the analysis of polemical texts attacking or defending Niasse's teachings. The chapter concludes by demonstrating how mystical experiences, articulated in terms of visions of God, and the debates surrounding them constitute one of the key factors in the spread of Niasse's movement.