Sidi Hamza al Qadiri al Boutchichi
Sidi Hamza Al Qadiri Al Boutchichi was the Moroccan Sunni, Sufi Muslim Shaykh recognised as the head of Qadri Boutchichi Silsila, the Grandest Sufi Order of Morocco. He was privileged to have millions of followers (murids) across the globe.
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| Sidi Hamza Al Qadiri Al Boutchichi |
Early Life and Career
Sidi Hamza Al Qadiri Al Boutchichi was born in 1922 in Morocco. In 1972 he became the leader of Qadiri Boutchichi Tariqa and remained as the head of the Tariqa until 2017. He was the Ruhani murid of Sidi Aboo Madyaan, who guided him in his spiritual learning. But officially he took Bayah (Oath of Allegiance) at the hand of his father, Shaykh Sidi Abbas. Shaykh expertise includes, Dhikr, Fiqh, Aqeedah, etc. Shaykh Sidi Jamaal succeeded him as his Khalifa as per the wishes of Sidi Hamza Al Qadiri Al Boutchichi.
In his lifetime, during annual Mawlid celebration in Morocco, millions of his followers used to visit Madagh to celebrate Eid - e- Miladunnabi and to listen to the holy lecture of this blissful soul. The local Morracan media have broadcast this event several times.
This noble soul united with Allah on 18 January 2017, after assisting several years to the heavenly sect of Ahle Sunnah , he was buried at his native place near Madagh in Morocco.
Qadiriyya Boutchichiya Tariqa
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| Sufi Shayks of Budshishi order |
Qadiri Boutchichi Tariqa or Boutchichiya Tariqa is the branch of Qadiri Silsila (founded by Gaus-Aazam-Dastageer) which was brought to Morocco (Fez) from Spain by various Khulfa of Huzoor Gaus-e-Aazam Dastageer which later recognised as Tariqa e Boutchichiya. The notable Shaykh of this order includes Shaykh Aboo Madyaan Boutchichiya, Shaykh Sidi Abbas Boutchichi, Shaykh Sidi Hamza Boutchichiya and the current incumbent Shaykh Sidi Jamaluddin Boutchichi. This Sufi order is described as ''apolitical" because it is not affiliated with any political group. Boutchichi sufi order is mostly based in the North Eastern Morocco in oudja. Since it is responsible for the expansion of the city it was termed as "Urban Brotherhood". It is said that the support from the Administration to Boutchichi order helped it to convey its teachings to the common public. In November 2002, Ahmed Toufiq, a member of Boutchichi order was appointed as the minister of Islamic Affairs by the King, which became the difficult situation for Toufiq to handle the designation because of apolitical nature of the Boutchichiya (sufi order to whom he belongs).
Author Abdelilah Bouasria in his book “Sufism and Politics in Morocco: Activism and Dissent” describes the relationship between the Boutchichi Sufi masters and their students. According to him, Sidi’s student considers him not only as the Murshid or Pir but also Spiritual father. This relationship between Pir and Muridain had paved the way for the reintroduction of the concept of family (Spiritual family) in Morocco.
Notes
References
* Gulf Times, 19 January 2017.
* Sufi Way, Biography of the living legends.
* Morocco World News, 2018, March 2018, by Hajera al Kaledi.
* Abdullah Bouseria, 2015 , Sufism and Politics in Morocco. Activism and descent.
* Sponsoring Sufism, F. Moudeni, July 2015.
* Contemporary Morocco, State, Politics and Society under Mahmood 6. By - Bruce Maddy-Weitzman, Daniel Zisenwine · 2013
*Contemporary Thought in the Muslim World: Trends, Themes, and Issues-By Carool Kersten
*Image(2) Source: Official Facebook account of Shaykh Sidi Hamza.