Abu Madyan: influence and the question of a meeting

Abu Madyan al-Tilimsani (514/1120–589/1193), Shuayb ibn al-Hasan al-Andalusi al-Tilimsani, was a celebrated Sufi originally from Andalusia, from Hisn Muntujab near Seville. He stayed in Fez and lived in Bijaya. His followers became so numerous that Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur feared him. He received his learning and spiritual formation from the righteous jurist Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Hirzihim, who died in 559/1164. [313] Abu Abd Allah al-Abbar mentions him as a man of practice and diligence, without equal in worship and ascetic devotion. He also says that Abu Madyan died in Tlemcen around the year 590, his last words being “God, the Living”, after which his soul departed. [314] Al-Shaarani likewise mentions him in al-Tabaqat and relates some of his stories and spiritual states. [315]

This may better explain why Shaykh Muhyiddin did not meet his teacher Abu Madyan when he went to Tunis in 589/590. [320] It may even mean that he set out hoping to meet him before he died, but God did not decree that meeting.