Presentation of the Cheikh of the Tariqa Qâdiriya Boutchichiya
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, May prayer and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of the prophets, and upon his family and his companions.
Here is a brief presentation of the noble and honourable one, a man of generous character, servant of the fuqarâ’ and bearer of the flame of the Way, Sidi Mouad Al-Qâdiri Boutchich, may Allah prolong his life and increase His favours towards him. In it we recall his noble lineage, his blessed childhood, the testimonies of his masters, his qualities, his spiritual journeys and his initiatic chain in the way of education and wayfaring.
Role: current spiritual guide (cheikh, murshid) of the Tariqa Qâdiriya Boutchichiya, since 2025
Father and spiritual master: Sidi Jamâl ad-Dîn Al-Qâdiri Boutchich (1942-2025)
Grandfather: Sidi Hamza (1918-2017), who prepared him from childhood to carry the amâna of the Way
Initiatic chain: unbroken back to the Ghawth al-A‘zam Sidi ‘Abd al-Qâdir al-Jîlânî and to the Prophet ﷺ
His noble lineage
He is the noble chérif, the Cheikh Sidi Mouad, son of Sidi Jamâl ad-Dîn, son of Sidi Hamza, son of Sidi al-‘Abbâs, son of Sidi al-Mukhtâr al-Qâdiri al-Boutchichi, all of them descendants of the noble Qâdiri, Ahl al-Bayt, servants of God and bearers of the flame of the Way. His unbroken silsila (initiatic chain) goes back to the Ghawth al-A‘zam Sidi ‘Abd al-Qâdir al-Jîlânî (may Allah be pleased with him).
His blessed childhood
Born in 1404 AH / 1983 in Madagh, in the region of Berkane, within the house of sainthood and wilâya, he grew up in the blessed atmosphere of the zaouïa, nourished by the breaths of the pious. From his childhood, signs of predisposition and of light became manifest in him. He was raised beside his grandfather Sidi Hamza (may Allah sanctify his Secret), who surrounded him with care and foretold his illustrious destiny, placing him at his right hand in gatherings, public and private alike, and bearing witness before the fuqarâ’ to his preparation to carry the amâna (sacred trust) of the Way.
From a young age he received the secrets of spiritual education at the hands of his grandfather, who entrusted him with certain responsibilities in the running of the Tariqa, though he was still an adolescent. He accompanied him for a long time, like his spiritual shadow, learning through his presence the art of responsibility and the sciences of the purification of souls and of orientation towards Allah.
Testimonies of the masters
His grandfather, the gnostic master Sidi Hamza, bore witness to him many times:
‘Wherever Sidi Mouad is, I am there entirely.’ ‘Sidi Mouad is the captain of the Tariqa.’ ‘Rise, for I have poured into you all that Allah has granted me.’ ‘I have prepared him to carry the amâna of the Way.’
His father and master Moulay Jamâl ad-Dîn (may Allah be pleased with him) added: ‘The station my father entrusted to you, no one can take from you except Allah.’
After his grandfather’s death, he took part, alongside his father, in leading and preserving the Tariqa. His experience and his harmonious conduct over nearly two decades bore witness to his competence and to his spiritual authorisation.
His qualities and virtues, according to those who have known him.
Among his distinctive traits:
Serenity and dignity: inherited from his grandfather and his father. Love of the poor: he unites hearts, loves the fuqarâ’ and those in need, gathers and does not divide. Humility: always at the service of the Tariqa, seeing no superiority in himself. Moderation in speech: he avoids quarrels and polemics, urging only dhikr and propriety. Respect for the masters: in their lifetime and after their death. Union of sciences: combining wise management with spiritual knowledge. Uprightness on the Way: far from all that tarnishes the purity of the Sufi path.
‘Your Guide is not the one whose discourses you hear, but the one whose presence transforms you. He is not the one whose words enlighten you, but the one whose silence opens you. He is not the one who invites you to the door, but the one who lifts the veil. He is the one who polishes your heart until it reflects the light of your Lord. He raises you towards God, then sets you down in His hands. He brings you into the light of His Presence, and says to you: “Here you are, and your Lord.”’ The Sufi master Ibn Ata Allah
His blessed tours
He made many tours throughout Morocco and abroad, visiting the disciples and constantly calling them to dhikr, to sincerity and to fidelity to authentic Moroccan Sufism. He warned against blameworthy innovations, superstition, politicisation and the pursuit of worldly goods.
His initiatic chain
His blessed spiritual chain in education and wayfaring is as follows:
From his father and master Moulay Jamâl ad-Dîn (1942-2025)
Up to the Ghawth al-A‘zam, Sidi ‘Abd al-Qâdir al-Jîlânî, then to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
His leadership of the Tariqa
After his father’s return to God in 2025, he took up the leadership of the Tariqa Qâdiriya Boutchichiya. Recognised by the disciples for his merit and his ability to guide. He is the one who gathers the fuqarâ’, faithful to the pact of his predecessors, established in the mihrab of dhikr, upheld by the prayers of the fathers and of the great masters.
His approach and his call
Under the protection and support of the Commander of the Faithful, King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, he continues along the path of his forebears:
Spreading spiritual tazkiya (purification). Serving the values of a moderate and merciful Islam. Rejecting excess, extremism and violence. Promoting ease, gentleness and kindness. Occupation with dhikr, inner struggle and a good opinion of creatures. Refusing claims to exclusive mastery of the spiritual Secret.
His supreme aim is the realisation of ‘ubûdiyya (sincere servitude to Allah).
‘Sufism is not a science of papers, but a science of tastes.’ And often this taste awakens without the disciple even knowing that it is his Guide who has awakened it, for it springs from the very depths of himself.
Conclusion
Allah destined Moulay Mouad to preserve this noble Way, to protect it from blameworthy innovations and to watch over its conformity with the Book of God and the Sunna of the Prophet ﷺ, in continuity with the way of the pious predecessors among the truthful Sufis.
We pray to Allah that He prolong his life, increase His favours, make him a support for Islam and for Muslims, protect the Tariqa and its disciples through him, and bless his efforts in our country.
As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is God,’ and take the straight path towards Him, the angels come down to them and say, ‘Have no fear or grief, but rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised. (Qur’an 41:30)
May prayer and peace be upon our master Muhammad, upon his family and his companions.
