SHAYKH UMAR IBN ABU BAKR FALKE (1893-1962)
{Accomplished Scholar, Mystic & Trade: The First
Person that introduced Fayda Tijaniyyah in Ilorin and its Environ in 1949}
via: The Icon of Mystics (Khalifa Awwal Baba Taofiq)
Shaykh Umar ibn Abu Bakr Falke was
nicknamed Falke meaning in Hausa "the trader", he combined trade with
missionary activities in which he taught the Tafsir of the Qur'an and initiated
people into the Tijaniyyah. He used to visit Ilorin, Abeokuta and Lagos among
other places where he had large followings.
It is apt to say that Shaykh Umar Falke was
the first person that introduced Fayda Tijaniyyah in Ilorin and its Environ
around 1949. Then Shaykh Ibrahim Niass accompanied by Shaykh Sanni Awwal came
to invigorate Faydah in Ilorin, on 12th November 1962.
Shaykh Awwal Omupo, Shaykh Bala of
Ojagboro, Ilorin and Shaykh Jamiu (Alfa Bulala) of Offa are some of Shaykh Umar
Falke's leading Muridun.
Professor Y. A. Quadri in his article
"The Role of Itinerant Muqaddams in the Spread of the Tijaniyya"
submitted that:
Umar Falke's personal contact with men of
substance during the course of his trading in many rural and urban areas boost
his financial support for the spread and consolidation of the Faydah
al-Tijaniyyah. Umar Falke wrote on various aspects of Islam and developed a
very rich library that attracted research scholars.
SHAYKH UMAR FALKE’S ENCOUNTER WITH SHAYKH IBRAHIM NIASSE
In the 1st visit of Shaykh Ibrahim Niass to
Nigeria, he brought five copies of his first major work titled: Kaashif
al-Ilbaas along with him and he distributed them to;
1. Emir Abdullah Bayero,
2. Atiqu Abubakar,
3. Sani Kafanga,
4. Tijani Uthman and
5. Umar Falke...
2. Atiqu Abubakar,
3. Sani Kafanga,
4. Tijani Uthman and
5. Umar Falke...
In 1946, Umar Falke, Tijani Uthman and Sani
Kafanga were the first people that went to Kawlakh from Nigeria to swear
allegiance with the Shaykh. The trio spent three years with rigorous Khidma at
Kawlakh and they did Tarbiyyah (Spiritual Training) directly from the Shaykh
before coming back to Kano in 1949.
Source: The Icon of Mystics (Khalifa Awwal
Baba Taofiq)
