Tijani Saeed: The Seasoned Poet, the Humble Human, and the Knowledgeable Scholar

Through my friend, Mr. Mohammed Al-Mahdi, I had the pleasure of meeting Tijani Saeed numerous times. We often visited him in his lively home in Omdurman to discuss poetry, religion, literature, logic, and stories rich with meaning from past decades. Al-Mahdi spoke of him confidently before I even met him, as they shared a bond forged by friendship and upbringing in the old neighborhoods of Omdurman. When I finally did meet Tijani, I found him to be far greater than I had heard. Through our long, insightful sessions, I learned how a person could embody so many admirable qualities: integrity (rare in today’s world), simplicity, humility (despite intellectual prowess), contentment, and modesty (in a world consumed by pride in wealth and status). Tijani is a true encyclopedia, rich in knowledge of both worldly and spiritual matters, and his words are so captivating that one listens to him with all their senses. As poet Sadiq Al-Radhi once described him: “An open-minded and deeply knowledgeable person who leaves ample room for others to agree or disagree with his ideas and approach to life and creativity, showing a level of creative, fruitful calm that commands respect.”

To anyone unfamiliar with him, Tijani Saeed is a “mountain of knowledge.” Like many Sudanese intellectuals, he keeps a very low profile, as the Western phrase “keeping a low profile” would suggest. They are remarkably humble, and you might mistake them for poor or unremarkable individuals with nothing significant to contribute, but in fact, they prefer seclusion, having grasped the true nature of life, its brevity, and the peace of mind that comes from distancing oneself from the noise of the modern world. Today, with mass media promoting superficiality and sensationalism, individuals of genuine depth and insight often avoid the spotlight.

From Tijani, I learned that behind each distinctive achievement lies a unique foundation. Many great figures have diverse backgrounds that influence and enrich their contributions. As Awad Khidr Ahmed said, “He is a poet on the boundaries of philosophy.” Tijani’s deep expertise in philosophy profoundly shapes his speech, his approach to people, his analytical view of life, and his unique outlook on poetry and literature. Awad also noted that Tijani brought a notable evolution to colloquial poetry, describing his work as “infusing vernacular poetry with a refined language that had previously eluded it.” Observe how he distills meaning into concise verses, employing philosophy in his poetry:

“Without appointment… the meeting is even more beautiful without waiting.”

“With you, I neither regret nor spend life in resentment… Life itself was yearning, was sorrow, was boundless patience.”

“Your eyes are like summer clouds, passing by some lands and nourishing others… like a joy that lifts sorrow from me yet deepens.”

Tijani Saeed is also deeply interested in the challenging and multifaceted field of manuscript verification, where ancient texts are restored with precision and clarity, enriched by annotations and explanations, bridging the past with the present. A manuscript verifier like Tijani must possess deep linguistic expertise, a broad cultural understanding, and familiarity with historical scripts and publishing norms. Tijani has published a significant number of books and continues to do so. He could speak to you about literature and poetry, recounting old and new stories full of wisdom, linking and analyzing them. He would even talk to you about old Arabic history, with stories from the Prophet Muhammad’s time that reflect wisdom, logic, intelligence, and quick wit, making you feel as if he had experienced these events himself.

This brief description offers but a glimpse into the remarkable personality of Tijani Saeed. His greatness transcends what I can capture in words, and my own language skills are limited in honoring him as he deserves. I wish you, dear Tijani Saeed, continued health and well-being, and my heartfelt thanks to my friend Mohammed Al-Mahdi for introducing me to this extraordinary man.