Sidi Ya’za Wahda
Ya’za Wahda (1): Sheikh Muhammad (or “Ya’za Wahda,” as he was called) Bin Musa Bin Abi Bakr Bin Yusuf Bin Esa Bin Saleh Bin Abi Zaid Bin Ibrahim Bin Al-Hasan Bin Ali Bin Muhammad Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Bin Ahmed Bin Bilqasim Bin Muhammad Bin Ja’far Bin Muhammad was also known as Al-Jawzi Bin Al-Qasim Bin Al-Nasr Bin Abdel-Rahman Bin Abi Zaid Bin Muhammad Bin Abdullah Bin Abdel-Rahman Bin Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq of Marrakesh and Sousse. A descendant of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq whose lineage could be traced back to the tribe of Quraysh, Ya’za Wahda was a resident of the Assa Zawaya in the desert of Tamanart. He was a scholar, a man of great bravery, and a prominent Arab figure who discovered gunpowder and embodied many praiseworthy characteristics, attaining a position of stature and prestige that has endured even after his death.
Sheikh Ya’za Wahda was born in 646 AH in the city of Marrakesh in the home of Amir Maulana Ya’qub Al-Mansur Al-Muwahidi, but his original homeland was the town of Assa. He died at the beginning of Rabi’ Al-Awwal in 726 AH, on a Friday. He was buried in the middle of the zawaya in the town of Assa. The wife of Sheikh Ya’za Wahda and the mother of his children (Ibrahim, Saleh, Muhammad, Nuh, Yahya, Abdul-Karim, and Ali Al-Badali) was the honorable daughter of Maulana Ya’qub Bin Al-Mansur Al-Muwahidi, whose noble family waged a great battle against the Christians, resulting in victories over most areas of Northwest Africa, extending from Tunisia to Saguia El-Hamra.
Sheikh Ya’za Wahda’s seven children (all of whom were distinguished by their great knowledge, piety, and bravery) were:
- Abdul-Karim, who was buried in Agadir. He had a son named Ayoub, who was buried in Idawshaqra. Ayoub was the grand patriarch of the tribe of Bani Ranieen.
- Saleh, or “Ya’za the Second,” who was buried in Khank Infkin in Ait Amrbadh.
- Ibrahim.
- Muhammad, who was known as Al-Baghdadi. He was the brother of Abdul-Karim, Saleh, and Ibrahim.
- Nuh.
- Yahya.
- Ali, who was nicknamed “Al-Badali.” He was the brother of Yahya and Nuh.
Sheikh Ya’za Wahda once joined a gathering filled with people, so he sat in the first spot he found, whereupon he was told: “Go to the front (meaning the most important spot), O Aba Ya’za.”
“I am the front,” he replied, “So wherever I sit becomes the front.” He then recited:
We are shining stars in the darkness of night—
Wherever we stop is the front of the gathering.
Should the traitor of time ravage our wealth—
Our dignity shall remain intact.
Source: Kitab Al-Sulala Al-Bakria As-Siddiqia – Part II, by Ahmed Farghal Al-De’abassi Al-Bakri
Date of Publication
1 Ramadan 1438 AH / May 26, 2017 AD
(1) Rijalat Al-‘Ilm Al-Arabi fi Sousse 1/ 12, Al-Ma’sul, by Al-Mukhtar Al-Susi 10/ 172