FLASHBACK: I embraced Tijaniyya Sufi order as part of my life – Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

On the second day of Muharram, which coincided with August 1, 2022, the renowned Islamic sage, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, clocked 98 years. Daily Trust on Sunday had dived into his life history and extracted some key traits that have shaped the lifetime of the legendary Sheikhs.

Sheikh Usman Bauchi, who passed on on November 26, 2025, was one of the prominent Islamic scholars ever produced in Nigeria. He was also a pillar in Tijjaniya creed in Africa. He spoke on a wide range of issues in the interview.

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In the interview which took place in Bauchi, the revered Sheikh recounted a brief history of his lifetime.

“I am a Fulani man, likewise my four grandparents, being that every human being has four grandparents: two each from their paternal and maternal roots. In my own case, all of them were Fulani. So I have no lineage to any other ethnic group.

“We happened to be Fulani from the old Bauchi State before Gombe was carved out of it. From my paternal side, I am a Fulani from Bauchi State, Konkiyel, a community in Darazo Local Government Area, while from my maternal progeny I am a Fulani man from Nafada in Gombe State. So I am from both states. I was born in June 1927, which corresponds to 1st of Muharram 1346H on Wednesday.”

Islamic theology and exegesis of Quran

The Sheikh further narrated: “I had my basic Islamic education under the tutelage of my father until I committed the complete Quran to memory. He was the one who initiated me to the Tijjaniya Sufi order. My father was initiated to Tijjaniya through one Alhaji Gwani Abba. Thereafter, he permitted me to traverse anywhere in the world in advancing my Islamic theology, as well as the memorisation of the Holy Quran.

“My father, Alhaji Usman, a son to Alhaji Adamu, had also committed the complete Quran to memory. My mother’s name is Hajiya Maryam.

“I went all over the world and Allah facilitated me in proficiency in Quranic recitation that some people label me as Gwani (equivalent to professorship) while some even went further to say I am Gangaran (akin to emeritus) in the field of committing the Quran to memory.

“Afterwards, my father again asked me to go about the earth for extensive theology; then I came to Bauchi. When I delved into theology, though with paucity knowledge, the Faila (the flood) of Sheikh Ibrahim Kaulaha was introduced. Before then, my father was an expediter/facilitator in the Tijjaniya Sufi order, who was facilitated into the order through the line of Sheikh Umarul Futi from one Muhammadu Ghali. So, after we got enlisted into the Faila of Sheikh Inyass, every move of my life must have some smidgeons to the Sheikh. Alhamdulillahi, I have gotten countless blessings in his affairs. I started holding tafseer sessions around 1950.”

Marriage and family

The Sheikh also revealed, “I had my first marriage in 1948. One of Allah’s blessings bestowed to me is that my children can commit the complete Quran at a tender age. Initially, my children used to commit the Quran at 11; then at 10 and 9. Thereafter, it goes down to some of them having committed the Quran at seven.

“What fascinates me most is how I make the Holy Quran as my art and how I embraced Tijaniyya Sufi order as part and parcel of my life. And I adore meeting anyone who has affection for Allah and the prophet (SAW). My pastime is always for recitation of the Holy Quran, Salatul Fatihi, glorifying of Allah, seeking forgiveness and other forms of remembrance of Allah.”

Apart from his children, the Sheikh also has many grandchildren and great grandchildren who committed the Quran to memory.

Expertise in Islamic theology

Asked if there’s any subdivision of Islamic theology he is more conversant with against others, he responded, “I am more proficient in the Quran, then Tafseer. Tafseer scholars attested to my expertise in the field; then Ma’arifa (interior or mystical knowledge of God), otherwise known as Tarbiyya (one of the greatest means to start a spiritual journey to Allah). This one too was affirmed by those possessing the knowledge. “I am an expert in the field. I have knowledge in other aspects in Islamic theology, such as Hadith, Lugga (Arabic vocabulary), Li’irabi (Arabic grammar) Tasrifi (Arabic Morphology) Fikhu (Islamic jurisprudence,” he stated

Asked why he doesn’t normally give direct responses to questions as he mostly cites examples, he said, “Citing examples is akin to Allah’s force that instils knowledge into human brains. You need to cite an example after providing an answer for people to have a better understanding of the matter. It makes people to understand the message easily. It is a strategy for responding to questions.”

Sheikh Dahiru bagged a number of awards in Tafseer. He also bagged many honorary doctorate degrees, both locally and internationally, one of which is from the Federal University, Lafiya, Nasarawa State. The federal government had conferred on him the prestigious award of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

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