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Abu Madyan
Cantillana (Seville), Spain
Archival Overview
Supreme master of Maghrebi Sufism venerated as 'Shaykh al-Shuyukh', who lived in Béjaïa, fought alongside Saladin at the Siege of Jerusalem in 1187, and became the revered patron saint of Tlemcen.
Biographical Record
Shu'ayb Abu Madyan al-Ghawth (1126–1198) was born in Andalusia and studied under master Abu Ya'za in Morocco before making the pilgrimage to Mecca, where he received spiritual initiation from Abdul Qadir Gilani. Settling in Béjaïa (Bougie) in eastern Algeria, Abu Madyan founded the most influential school of ascetic, ethical Sufism in North Africa.
In 1187, answering Sultan Saladin's call, Abu Madyan led Algerian volunteers to the Siege of Jerusalem, losing a hand in combat; Saladin endowed the historic Moroccan Quarter (Harat al-Maghariba) in Jerusalem as a permanent waqf in his honor. Summoned to Marrakech by the Almohad Caliph in 1198, he fell ill near Tlemcen and asked to be buried at El Eubbad, where his shrine remains a beloved place of pilgrimage.
Key Life Milestones
Participation in the Liberation of Jerusalem
Fought alongside Saladin at Jerusalem, resulting in the historic waqf endowment of the Moroccan Quarter.
Founding the Maghrebi Shadhili Lineage
Established the spiritual transmission that inspired Ibn Arabi, Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili, and millions of disciples.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialEl Eubbad (Tlemcen), Algeria