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Abderrahman El Majdoub facts for kids

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Religion Sufi Islam
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Born (1506-03-00)March , 1506
Tit village near Azemmour, Morocco
Died 26 May 1568(1568-05-26) (aged 62)
Marshaqa village, Habt region, Morocco

Sidi Abderrahman el Majdoub (born March 1506 – died May 1568) was a famous Moroccan poet and a wise man known as a Sufi mystic. He lived a long time ago, but his poems are still very popular in North Africa today. Many of his wise sayings have even become common proverbs, like "doubt is the beginning of wisdom."

Who Was Abderrahman el Majdoub?

Abderrahman was born in March 1506 in a small village called Tit, near Azemmour in Morocco. His family moved when he was two years old to Irgan, near Meknes.

Growing Up and Learning

He grew up in a special environment focused on Sufism. Sufism is a part of Islam that emphasizes a close, personal connection with God through spiritual practices. His father was also a student of a well-known Sufi teacher.

Abderrahman first studied in Meknes. Later, he traveled to Fez to continue his education. He had many important teachers who guided him. One of his teachers, Umar al-Khattab al-Zarhuni, told him to settle in the Habt region of Morocco.

His Amazing Memory

Abderrahman was very smart. He memorized the entire Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. He also learned 10 different ways to recite it perfectly.

Living in Changing Times

He lived during an exciting time in Morocco. This was when the Saadi dynasty was becoming very powerful, led by rulers like Mohammed ash-Sheikh and Abdallah al-Ghalib. It was also a time when the Ottoman Empire was growing in nearby countries like Algeria and Tunisia.

The Wisdom in His Poetry

El Majdoub's poems were not just pretty words. They talked about important things like politics, how people should behave, and social issues. All his poems were collected in a book called a Diwan.

Messages in His Verses

His poetry shared his deep thoughts about love, death, feelings, women, science, education, and religion. He used his poems to express his spiritual views and understanding of the world.

Proverbs for Everyday Life

What makes his poetry so special is that many of his lines have become everyday proverbs in Moroccan society. People still use his wise sayings today to explain things or give advice.

His Final Resting Place

El Majdoub passed away on May 26, 1568, in a village called Marshaqa. He had asked to be buried in Meknes. So, on May 29, 1568, he was laid to rest near a gate called Aissa.

A Place of Visit

Later, the famous mausoleum of Moulay Ismail was built near his tomb. A dome was built over his grave by his student, Abu l-Mahasin Yusuf al-Fasi. Many people still visit his tomb every day to pay their respects.

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