Then I Was Guided

An autobiographical account of Sayed al-Tijani's search for knowledge, which aims to remove some of the barriers that exist between the schools of thought of the ahl-as-Sunnah and the Shi'a by clearing misconceptions about Shi'ism.

In this gripping autobiography, Sayyid Muhammad Al-Tijani takes us on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Born into a Tunisian Sunni Muslim family, Al-Tijani's early experiences were rooted in the Maliki school and the Tijani Sufi order. However, his path would lead him far beyond these familiar shores. At the age of eighteen, Al-Tijani embarked on a life-changing pilgrimage to Mecca, where he encountered the teachings of prominent Salafi scholars. The experience left an indelible mark, prompting him to actively promote Salafiism upon his return to Tunisia. Yet, fate had other plans. A chance encounter with a Shi'i Iraqi lecturer in Egypt led to an invitation to visit Iraq. Al-Tijani's weeks in Iraq, including visits to Baghdad and Najaf, brought him face to face with leading Shi'i scholars, and after deep and thoughtful debates, he embraced the Shia Ithna Ashari School of Thought. In his book 'Then I was Guided', Al-Tijani shares his compelling odyssey from one faith to another, exploring the profound encounters, influences, and personal evolution that ultimately led him to embrace Shia Islam. His story is a testament to the power of knowledge, open-mindedness, and the unending quest for truth. This is a new edition of the classic book printed by AIM with improved English and presentation.

In this gripping autobiography, Sayyid Muhammad Al-Tijani takes us on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Born into a Tunisian Sunni Muslim family, Al-Tijani's early experiences were rooted in the Maliki school and the Tijani Sufi order. However, his path would lead him far beyond these familiar shores. At the age of eighteen, Al-Tijani embarked on a life-changing pilgrimage to Mecca, where he encountered the teachings of prominent Salafi scholars. The experience left an indelible mark, prompting him to actively promote Salafiism upon his return to Tunisia. Yet, fate had other plans. A chance encounter with a Shi'i Iraqi lecturer in Egypt led to an invitation to visit Iraq. Al-Tijani's weeks in Iraq, including visits to Baghdad and Najaf, brought him face to face with leading Shi'i scholars, and after deep and thoughtful debates, he embraced the Shia Ithna Ashari School of Thought. In his book 'Then I was Guided', Al-Tijani shares his compelling odyssey from one faith to another, exploring the profound encounters, influences, and personal evolution that ultimately led him to embrace Shia Islam. His story is a testament to the power of knowledge, open-mindedness, and the unending quest for truth. This is a new edition of the classic book printed by AIM with improved English and presentation.