Sidi Hajj AbdeRahman Berada (May ALLAH be satisfied with him)
The pious, the reminiscent, the good-doer, grateful and possessing abundant merits, such is Sidi Hajj' Abdurrahman Berada (May Allah Be Pleased with him). He is one of the elite companions of Sayyidina Ahmed Tijani (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret), and was famous for his divine knowledge. He was hold in high esteem by Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctify his precious secret) who always addressed him by the title 'Master'.
He was obese; therefore it was difficult for him to fold his legs in sitting position. On his first meeting with Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret), after taking the bayat of Tariqa, he stretched out one leg due to his obeseness, and Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret) told him: "My poor one, discipline yourself". On this, Sidi Hajj 'Abderahman Berada (May Allah be Pleased with him) replied: "My Master, as you can notice, I am incapable of sitting suitably and truly I am ashamed and beg your forgiveness". Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret) added: "One must discipline oneself in the presence of the Chouyoukh; know also that even if I forgive you, the "station" will not forgive one who lacks respect." From this day, Sidi Hajj 'Abderahman Berada (May Allah Be Pleased with him) despite his obesity, strictly observed discipline which befit in the presence of great Chouyoukh.
Furthermore regarding this subject, it was reported that once, two knowers dressed in shabby garments were passing by children and one of the children threw a stone at them. The stone hit the leg of one of them and the child responsible for this act fell dead. The other knower then turned to his companion and inquired: " what about this excess of internal boiling which caused the death of this child? " The knower responded: " By Allah! My heart was not burdened by the child's act, but the "station" does not forgive the one who shows disrespect." Therefore the Masters of the Path (May Allah Sanctifies their secrets), based in the Mohamedan Law, advise that one who desires to be safeguarded/secured from harm in this world and in the hereafter must restrain him or herself from scorning any of Allah's creatures.
One day, whereas Sidi Hajj 'Abderahman Berada (May Allah Be Pleased with him) was reading a written work of Cha' rani (May Allah Be Pleased with him) he became overwhelmed by high esteem for the author to the extent that he almost broke his existing disciple-Sheik relationship without realizing it until Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret) miraculously appeared beside him and said: "What is going on? Are you a Cha' rani or a Tijani?" Sidi Hajj 'Abderrahman Berada (May Allah Be Pleased with him) was very confused and answered: "My Master, I repent to Allah". This event happened when Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secrets) was in the desert and his disciple in Fez. The event is also mentioned among the wonders of Sayyidina Ahmed Tijani (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret). It also shows Sayyidina's (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secrets) benevolence towards Sidi 'Abderahman (May Allah Be Pleased with him) and his omnipresence beside his disciples wherever they are.
In this regard, Sidi Ahmed Kalabanani (May Allah Be Pleased with him) reported that Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret) was informed that our Master 'Abdul Qadir Jilani (May Allah Be Pleased with him) had said regarding his benevolence and protection towards his disciples in his presence or not: "When my companion wants to sleep, I spread one wing below him and cover him with the other one". When Sayyidina Ahmed Tijani (May Allah sanctifies his precious secret) heard these words, he said : "As for my companions, I do not leave them even for the blink of an eye ".
The son of Sidi Hajj 'Abdurrahman Berada (May Allah Be Pleased with him) one day when crossing a street in Egypt, he saw a group of men in a Zawiyah engaged in Dhikr. He was attracted by the dikhr circle and thus attended it although they were not Tidjanis. At one point he was overtaken by slumbering and then saw Sayyidina (May Allah Sanctifies his precious secret) who scolded him in these words: "what are you doing O so and so? Congratulation for your new Sheik! " He woke up anxious and terrorized, and ran away.