The Murid Order and Its ‘Doctrine of Work’

Abstract

Abstract The Murid order was founded by Aḥmad Bamba (d. 1927) at the end of the nineteenth century in the area corresponding to the western region of contemporary Senegal. Many scholars have referred to a characteristic item of faith in this order, known as the ‘doctrine of work’. On the basis of a review of studies that refer to the doctrine and an analysis of Bamba’s writings and other Arabic works, this paper indicates problems that result from insisting on a relationship between the doctrine and Bamba’s thoughts without citing appropriate sources, as well as from a biased interpretation of his passages.