"The tomb of Abu Madyan, father of Maghrebi Sufism, in a Marinid architectural masterpiece at the gates of Tlemcen"
Shrines of Sidi Abed and Abu Madyan
Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
Two kilometres from the center of Tlemcen, in the village of Al-Ubbad, a complex of mosque, madrasa, and mausoleum marks the burial place of Abu Madyan Shu'ayb (1116-1198) — the most important early Sufi master in the western Muslim world. His spiritual lineage runs through nearly every major Sufi order in North Africa and beyond.
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Quick Facts
Location
Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
Coordinates
34.8837, -1.3105
Last Updated
Mar 9, 2026
Learn More
Abu Madyan (1116-1198) was the father of Sufism in the Maghreb.
Origin Story
Abu Madyan died near Tlemcen in 1198 while traveling. The people adopted him as patron saint.
Key Figures
Abu Madyan Shu'ayb
Sufi master, patron saint of Tlemcen
Sultan Abu Al-Hasan
Marinid ruler who expanded the complex
Spiritual Lineage
Abu Madyan to Abd al-Salam ibn Mashish to Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili (Shadhiliyya). Also linked to Ibn Arabi.
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