The Autobiography of a Moroccan Soufi: Ahmad Ibn’Ajiba

Ibn Ajiba, an 18th-century Moroccan saint in the Darqawi Sufi lineage, wrote his autobiography not for the pleasure of talking about himself but “to celebrate God’s kindness” by informing others of the graces bestowed on him. This account details his travels in search of knowledge, his Sufi path, and the struggles that such a search entailed.

“This fascinating book is a rare example of the genre of autobiography in Islamic literature. It deals with everything from the little details of everyday life to the mystical states experienced on the path to God. It will be welcomed by everyone interested in the day-to-day workings of Islamic society, the interplay between “exoteric” and “esoteric” learning in the dynamics of Islamic understanding, and the place of the Sufi path in the personal and social life of the community. Recommended for historians and anthropologists, general readers, spiritual seekers, and Sufi adepts.” – William C. Chittick, State University New York

Introduced and Translated from the Arabic by Jean-Louis Michon. English Translation by David Streight.