Path to the Satisfaction of Needs (Nahju Qaḍāʾi l-Ḥāji)
Quick Jump: Manuscript || Transcription/Translations
| Title | Path to the Satisfaction of Needs (Nahju Qaḍāʾi l-Ḥāji) |
| Author or Owner | Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba (author of the Arabic original), Xaadim Njaay (author of the Wolof version) |
| Subject | Education, Morality, Ethics, Sufism, Discipline, Courtesy, Muridiyya, Islam, Wolof Society |
| Content | Nahju Qaḍāʾi l-Ḥāji (Path to the Satisfaction of Needs) is an important Arabic text authored by Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba (1853-1927). It was rendered into Wolof Ajami poetry by Xaadim Njaay for broader dissemination. Njaay’s work is an invitation to the proper moral and social values of a good Muslim. It is designed to help Murid disciples and Muslims better understand moral values according to the recommendations of the Prophet Muhammad and Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba. It invites them to practice respect, humility, and righteousness in their interactions with others. It lists a series of good behaviors a person should adopt, such as forgiveness, solidarity and respect of elders and of all mankind (and animals), regardless of age and race. It also advises against harming others, lying, and laziness. The document promises that those who respect these recommendations of the Prophet Muhammad will be rewarded on the Judgement Day for their good deeds and the moral values they had during their life. Good people are recognized through their devotion, their good education, and their knowledge. The document also encourages the behaviors of good Murid disciples towards their religious leaders. It also invites people to take care of their parents and to be helpful to others in any case. |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Language | Wolof |
| Script | Wolof Ajami |
| Manuscript condition | Printed document |
| Type | Printed |
| Publisher | Published by Xaadim Njaay |
| Provenance | Touba, Senegal |
| Source Reference | Fallou Ngom’s personal collection |
| Access condition and copyright | These materials are subject to copyright and are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-
Non Commercial 4.0 License, which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. For use, distribution or reproduction beyond these terms, contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu). |
| Contributors | Fallou Ngom, Gana Ndiaye, David Glovsky, Daivi Rodima-Taylor, Cheikh Mouhamadou S. Diop, Alison Parker, Shawn Provencal, and Mark Lewis. |
| Required citation information | Fallou Ngom (PI), Gana Ndiaye, Cheikh Mouhamadou S. Diop, David Glovsky, Daivi Rodima-Taylor, and other contributors. 2022. “Path to the Satisfaction of Needs.” https://sites.bu.edu/nehajami/the-four-languages/wolof/wolof-manuscripts/nahju/ |
Manuscript
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Transcription and Translations
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