Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi

Life and teachings

Al-Sanusi was born at al-Wasita near Mostaganem, Algeria, in 1787. He belonged to the Algerian Walad Sidi Abdallah tribe and claimed descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was named al-Sanusi after Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanusi, a venerated Muslim teacher associated with Tlemcen in the 13th century.

After spending a period in Mecca, al-Sanusi returned to North Africa and established himself at Jaghbub, where freed slaves were welcomed into his community. He had been initiated into Qādiriyya mysticism and sought to harmonize orthodox religious practice with mystical attainment, giving particular prominence to dhikr. In 1837 he founded the Sanūsīya, or Sanusi order.