2.9.19 - Shaykh Abu Imran Mousa al-Sadrani

This Shaykh came from Tlemcen and, although unknown, was one of the seven Substitutes and had many wonders to his name. My meeting with him came about as follows : One day, during the lifetime of Abu Madyan, after I had performed the sunset prayer in my house at Seville I had a great desire to see the Shaykh Abu Madyan who was at Bugia, some forty-five days journey away. after the sunset prayer I performed two cycles of the supererogatory prayer and, as I was saying the ritual greeting, Abu Imran came in and greeted me. I sat him down next to me and inquired where he had come from, to which he replied that he had come from Abu Madyan at Bugia. Upon my asking him when he had been with him, he replied that he had only just finished praying the sunset prayer with him. He told me that Abu Madyan had said to him, Certain things have occurred to the mind of Muhammad Ibn al-Arabi at Seville, so go at once and answer him on my behalf. Then Abu Imran mentioned the wish I had had to meet Abu Madyan and told me that Abu Madyan had said, Tell Ibn al-Arabi that as for our meeting together in the spirit, well and good, but as for our meeting in the flesh in this world, God will not permit it. Let him however rest assured, for the time appointed for him and me lies in the security of God’s mercy.

After that Abu Imran talked to me on other matters and then returned to Abu Madyan.

Shaykh Abu Imran had formerly been a rich man, but had renounced his wealth. Eighteen days after his renunciation God inspired him with great spiritual knowledge. He became one of the Substitutes and could locate himself in any place on earth he wished to be in.

Once he was denounced to the Sultan who ordered him to be seized. Accordingly he was taken, bound in iron chains and taken to Fez. When they were almost there, he was taken to a house and thrown into a room which was then locked and a guard put on the door for the night. In the morning they opened the door and found the chains on the floor, but no sign of Abu Imran. He had meanwhile made his way to Fez where he sought out the house of Abu Madyan. When he found it he knocked on the door and Abu Madyan himself came to answer it. When Abu Madyan asked him who he was, Abu Imran replied, I am Mousa. Abu Madyan then said, I am Shuaib, so come in and fear not, for you are safe from the oppressors. My Shaykh Abu Yaqoub al-Kumi? told me that Abu Imran had once reached the mountain of Qaf which surrounds the earth and that he had performed the forenoon prayer at its base and the afternoon prayer at its summit. On being asked the height of the mountain he had replied that it was three hundred years journey high. He had also said that God had girded the mountain with an enormous serpent whose tail and head were joined. Abu Imran’s companion on this journey had said to him, Greet the serpent and it will return your greeting. Abu Imran had therefore greeted the serpent, whereupon the serpent had returned his greeting and enquired about Abu Madyan. Then he had asked the serpent how it came to know of Abu Madyan. The serpent replied, I am surprised at you! Is there anything on the earth which does not know of Abu Madyan? I and others have known him ever since God revealed His love and proclaimed it; indeed all things, animate and inanimate, know and love him.

In a certain country Abu Imran had seen ants as large as goats and had met an old woman of Khurasan who stood on the sea while the waves washed round her legs, praising and glorifying God.

This Shaykhs spiritual influence was very great and it would take far too long to tell all there is to tell concerning him.