Ahmadu Bamba developed a system of education for realizing his philosophy of religion and life which Babou spelt out as comprising three steps: there is taalim, the study of the Qur'an and Islamic science for feeding the brain, then there is tarbiyya, for educating the soul, and finally tarqiyya, only reachable by a small number of people and gifted disciples which puts them in a position of leadership.

Poor Poverty! […] Well art thou in the right when thou alliest thyself to Vice and Crime.

Through [his] love for the deities living in the parish, they become tender-minded and protect him with a thorough-going and suitable protection.

His shoes were covered with mud, and he was looking very rough and touzled; but then he had never been a very smart man, the Badger, at the best of times.