The King of Saints Abdul Qadir Gilani

7/31/2019 The King of Saints Abdul Qadir Gilani

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THE KING OF SAINTSAL-GHAWTH AL-AZAM SULTAAN AL-AWLIYA SAYYIDUNA SHAIKH MUHYID-DIN

ABD AL-QAADIR AL-JILANI AL-HASANI AL-HUSAINI R.A.

by Maulana Mohammed Afthab Cassim Razvi

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY HISTORY

PREDICTIONS OF HIS BIRTHEVENTS RELATING TO HIS BIRTHHIS EARLY CHILDHOODATTAINING & COMPLETION OF

EDUCATIONHARDSHIPS FACED DURING STUDIESENCOUNTER WITH A PIOUS SERVANT OF

ALLAHATTAINMENT OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGEHIS STRIVING AND ENDURANCEMEETING WITH HADRAT KHIDR a.s.THE COURT OF HIS PEER-O-MURSHIDREFORMING THE MUSLIMS OF BAGHDAD

HIS KARAMAAT (MIRACLES)HIS WIVES AND CHILDRENHIS ENLIGHTENING LECTURES

FIRST LECTURE

SECOND LECTURE

HIS BOOKS AND TREATIESINCIDENTS RELATING TO HIS DEMISE

HIS GENEALOGY

HIS FAMILY HISTORY OF HIS BIRTHRELATING TO HIS BIRTH EARLY CHILDHOOD COMPLETION OF EDUCATION

STRIVING AND ENDURANCE THE COURT OF HIS PIR-O-MURSHID THE

MUSLIMS OF BAGHDAD HIS KARAMAAT (MIRACLES) HIS WIVES ANDCHILDREN HIS ENLIGHTENING LECTURES INCIDENTS RELATING TO HIS

DEMISE GENEALOGY
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HIS NAME: His name was Abd al-Qaadir. His title was Abu Muhammad (father of

Muhammad) s.a.w.s. He is famously known as Muhyid-Din, al-Ghawth al-Azam, Sultan

al-Awliya, Ghaus-e-Paak,etc. He was a descendant of the Holy Prophet Muhammads.a.w.s. from both his mothers (al-Husaini) and fathers side (al-Hasani). (Imam Hasan

and Imam Husain r.a. being the grandsons of the Holy Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. ).

Sayyid Abu Saleh Moosa r.a. was his father and Sayyidah Ummul Khair Faatima r.a. washis mother.

PLACE OF BIRTH: According to authentic narrations, Sayyiduna al-Ghawth al-Azam

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was born in a place called Neef, which is situated in

Gilan (Persia). According to Imam Yaaqoot Hamwi r.a., Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilanir.a. was born in a place called Bashteer. Most historians agree that Neef and Bashteer

were differrent names for the same place. Since he was born in Gilan, al-Ghawth al-

Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir r.a. is known as al-Jilani. Concerning his birth, al-Ghawthal-Azam r.a. personally states the following in his Qasida-e-Ghausia: I am a citizen of

Jeel and my name is Muhyid-Din and the flag of my exaltedness is planted firm on

mountains.

HIS FAMILY TREE: His family tree reaches the Caliph, Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtadha r.a.from his father through fourteen generations and through his mother by twelve

generations. Shaikh Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman Jaami r.a. said the following concerning

the geneology of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. : He is an exalted King, who is known as al-Ghwath al-Azam. He is Sayyid from both his parents. Hasani from his father and Husaini

from his mother. His family tree is as follows: SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH, s.a.w.s.

A. SAYYIDATUN NISA FATHIMATU ZAHRA

B. SAYYIDUNA ALI-E-MURTAZA r.a.

A1. SHAHEED-E-KARBALA IMAM HUSAIN r.a. B1. SAYYIDUNA IMAM HASSAN

A2. SAYYIDUNA IMAM ZAINUL ABEDEEN r.a.

B2. SAYYID HASSAN MATHNI

A3. IMAM MUHAMMAD BAAQIR r.a.

B3. SAYYID ABDUL MAHDH

A4. SAYYIDUNA IMAM JAAFAR SAADIQ r.a.

B4. SAYYID MOOSA AL JAWN

A5. SAYYIDUNA IMAM MOOSA KAAZIM r.a.

A5. SAYYID ABDULLAH THAANI

A6. SAYYIDUNA SHAIKH ALI RAZA r.a.

B6. SAYYID MOOSA THAANIA7. SAYYID ABOO ALAUDDEEN r.a.

B7. SAYYID DAWOOD

A8. SAYYID KAMAALUDDEEN ESA r.a.

B8. SAYYID MUHAMMAD

A9. SAYYID ABUL ATAA ABDULLAH r.a.

B9. SAYYID YAHYA AZ ZAAHID

A10. SHAIKH SAYYID MAHMOOD r.a.


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B10. SAYYID ABI ABDILLAI

A11. SAYYID MUHAMMAD

B11. SAYYID ABU SAMEH MOOSA (father)

SAYYID ABOO JAMAAL

SAYYID ABDULLAH SOOMEE

SAYYIDAH UMMUL KHAIR FAATIMA (Mother) SAYYIDUNA MUHIYYUDDEEN ABU MUHAMMAD ABDUL QAADIR

JILANI

ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY HISTORY

SAYYIDI ABDULLAH SOOMEE:He was the maternal grandfather of al-Ghawth al-

Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. He was a very patient, humble, kind and sincere

person. His home served as a place of refuge for the poor, needy and the orphaned. Hewas amongst the grand Mashaaikh of Jilan. He was known as a great Sahib-e-

Karamah, meaning that he performed many miracles that were seen by thousands of

people; from amongst whom many became his disciples by joining his spiritual order.Once, a few of his disciples (mureeds) were on a business expedition to Samarkand.

Bandits stopped them. They immediately called out his name for assistance. Suddenly,

they found him standing besides them saying, in a state of Jalaal, to the bandits: OurAllah is Pure and free from defects. Bandits! Stay away (from my disciples). When the

bandits heard these words, they dispersed leaving the Mureeds safe and unharmed. When

the mureeds searched for Sayyidi Abdullah Soomee r.a. after this incident, he was

nowhere to be seen. When they disciples returned to Jilan, they informed the people thereof this incident only to be told that the great Saint (Wali) of Allah had not been seen to

leave the city of Jilan during that particular time period!

SAYYIDAH AISHA ZAAHIDA r.a. : She was the paternal aunt of al-Ghawth al-AzamShaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. She was a very kind and pious woman. Her entire lifewas spent in the remembrance of Almighty Allah. The people of Jilan were very familiar

with her piety and her sincerity in Ibadah. They used to always go to her in times of need

and hardship and request her to make Dua. Once, there was a very lengthy drought inJilan, which resulted in a severe shortage of food and water. The people of Jilan prayed to

Almighty Allah for rain, but to no avail. Finally, they turned to Sayyidah Aisha Zaahida

r.a. and requested her to pray for rain. After listening to their request she went into thecourtyard of her humble home and began to sweep the dust into one corner. When she

was finished sweeping, she said with great sincerity: OAllah! My job was to sweep up

the dust. All that is left now is for You to do is the sprinkling. She just completed saying

these words, when dark clouds began to gather and it began to rain, thus breaking thelenghty drought in Jilan. She lived in the city of Jilan until her demise. May Allah shower

His Mercy upon her.

SAYYIDI ABU SAALEH SAYYYIDAH UMMUL KHAIR FAATIMA r.a. : Theywere the blessed parents of Al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

Shaikh Abu Saaleh r.a. was a very pious and humble person. He was also a master in the

tactics of Jihad and it was due to this that he was given the title of Jangi Dost. Sayyidah


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Ummul Khair Faatima r.a. was also a great Aabida and Zaahida r.a. After reading the

incident which led to the marriage (Nikah) of these two great personalities and the birth

of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., not only will the torch of Imaanbe rekindled in ourhearts, but we would be able to understand the lofty status of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. through the greatness and pureness of his parents. It has been narrated that

when Sayyidi Abu Saaleh r.a. was in the prime of his youth he would spend most of histime in Mujahida (Striving in the path of Allah).

Once, he was making Ibadahbeside a river, he felt the need to eat as he had not eaten for

three days and three nights. Whilst in this thought, he saw an apple floating down the

river towards him. He reached into the river and took the apple. After he had eaten theapple, a thought crossed his mind concerning the origin of the fruit that he had eaten. He

reasoned that although the apple flowed in the river, it had to belong to someone and that

he had eaten this apple without the permission of the owner. He immediately began towalk along the bank of the river looking for the source of the apple, he walked for a long

time until he came to an orchard. There he saw an apple tree. The branches of the tree

were hanging over the river. The apples from the tree were falling into the river and werebeing carried downstream.

When he observed this he immediately realised that the apple, which he had eaten, had

come from this very tree. He entered the orchard and queried concerning the owner of the

orchard. He was informed that the owner was Sayyidi Abdullah Soomee r.a. He went tothe owner and explained to him the incident concerning him eating the apple. He then

asked Sayyidi Abdullah Soomee r.a. to forgive him for his mishap.

After listening to Sayyiduna Abu Saaleh r.a., Sayyidi Abdullah Soomee r.a. immediately

realised that this was no ordinary young man. Without [a] doubt, he knew that he was a

chosen servant of Almighty Allah. Shaikh Abdullah Soomee r.a. agreed to forgive himfor eating the apple. But this, he told him, was subject to a condition. The condition being

that Sayyidi Abu Saaleh r.a. would have to take care of the orchard, and make Mujahidathere for ten years. Shaikh Abu Saaleh r.a. accepted this condition with great pleasure.

He served in the orchard for ten years and also madeMujahida. After ten years had

passed, he went to Sayyiduna Abdullah Soomee r.a. to be pardoned. Shaikh Abdullah

Soomee r.a. asked him to serve for another two years, which he accepted again withoutcomplaint. After these two years had passed, he went back to Sayyiduna Abdullah

Soomee r.a. and asked to be pardoned. Shaikh Abdullah Soomee r.a. agreed to pardon

him on one last condition.

He said, O Abu Saaleh! I have a daughter whose feet are paralysed, her hands arecrippled,and she is deaf and blind. I would like for you to marry her.

When most persons would have rejected such a condition, Sayyidi Abu Saaleh r.a. even

accepted this condition. After theNikah, he went into his room to see his bride for the

very first time. To his amazement, he saw a beautiful normal woman sitting in his room.He thought that there had been some mistake and that the wrong woman was in his room.


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He rushed out of the room and presented himself before Shaikh Abdullah Soomee r.a.

On seeing him. Shaikh Abdullah Soomee r.a. smiled and then said, Do not fear. It is she

that is my daughter. All the qualities that I had explained to you concerning her are true. Isaid she was paralysed, because she has never taken even one step out of this house. I

said she was crippled, because she has never done anything against Shariah. I said she

was blind because she has never seen a Ghair Mahram and I said that she was deafbecause she has never heard a single word against the Shariah.

When Sayyidi Abu Saaleh r.a. heard these words, he knew that not one moment in twelve

years was wasted, and every moment spent in the service of Sayyidi Abdullah Soomee

r.a. was worth more than he could imagine. It was from these two pious servants ofAlmighty Allah and devotees of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. that al-Ghawth al-Azam

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was born.

PREDICTIONS OF HIS BIRTH

SHAIKH-UL-MASHAAIKH, SAYYIDUNA JUNAID AL-BAGHDADI r.a. : Helived two hundred years before al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

and foretold his coming in the following manner: r.a. Once, while Shaikh Junaid al-

Baghdadi r.a. was in a state of spiritual ecstacy, he stated: His foot is on my shoulders,

his foot is on my shoulders. After he had come out of this spiritual condition, hisdisciples questioned him concerning these words. He said, I have been informed that a

great Saint will be born towards the end of the fifth century. His name shall be Abdul

Qaadir and his title will be Muhyid-Din. He will be born in Jilan and he will reside inBaghdad. One day, on the Command of Allah, he will say, My foot is on the shoulders of

all theAwliya Allah. While in my spiritual condition, I saw his excellence and these

words were uttered by me without my control.

IMAM HASSAN ASKARI r.a. : Shaikh Abu Muhammad r.a. states that before hisdemise, Imam Hassan Askari r.a. handed over his Jubba(Cloak) to Sayyiduna Imam

Maroof Karki r.a. and asked him to pass it over to al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Shaikh Imam Maroof Karki r.a. passed over this cloak to SayyidunaJunaid al-Baghdadi r.a., who in turn passed it over to Shaikh Danoori r.a. . From here it

was then passed down until it reached Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. in the year 497

A.H. (Makhzanul Qaaderiah)

SHAIKH ABU BAKR BIN HAWWAAR r.a. : He lived before the time of al-Ghawthal-Azam r.a. and was amongst the distinguished Mashaaikh of Baghdad. Once, while he

was sitting in his majlis, he said, There are sevenAqtaab (High-RankingAwliya) of Iraq:

1. Shaikh Maroof Karki r.a.

2. Shaikh Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal r.a.3. Shaikh Bishr Haafi r.a.

4. Shaikh Mansoor bin Amaar r.a.

5. Sayyiduna Junaid al-Baghdadi r.a.


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6. Shaikh Sahl bin Abdullah Tastari r.a.

7. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir Jeeli r.a.

When he heard this, Sayyidi Abu Muhammad r.a., who was a mureedof Shaikh Abu Bakrr.a. asked, We have heard and know six of these names, but the seventh, we have not

heard of. O Shaikh! Who is Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani? Shaikh Abu Bakr r.a. replied bysaying: Abd al-Qaadir r.a. will be a non-Arab (and a) pious man. He will be born

towards the end of the fifth century Hijri and he will reside in Baghdad. (BahjatulAsraar)

SHAIKH KHALEEL BALKHI r.a. : He was a great Wali-Allah and had passed away

before the time of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Once while hewas seated with his disciples, he said: A pure servant of Allah will become apparent in

Iraq towards the end of the fifth century. The world will gain brightness from his

presence. He will be the Ghaus of his time. The creation of Allah will be obedient to him,

and he will be the Leader of the Awliya Allah. (Azkaarul Abraar)

IMAM MUHAMMAD BIN SAEED ZANJANI r.a. : He stated as follows in his

distinguished work, Nuzhatul Khawatir: From the era of Shaikh Abi Ali Hassan

Yasaarajuwi r.a. up to the era of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., every Wali that

passed this earth, foretold the coming and the excellence of al-Ghawth al-Azam ShaikhAbd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. (Nuzhatul Khawatir)

EVENTS RELATING TO HIS BIRTH

There are two narrations concerning the date of birth of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd

al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. The first narration is that he was born on the 1st of Ramadaan 470

A.H.. The second narration is that he was born on the eve of the 2

nd

of Ramadaan 470A.H. The second narration seems to be the one more favoured amongst the learned

scholars. The birth of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was a greatblessing to the Ummah. It was the arrival of the Sultaanul Awliya (King of theAwliya),

which had been foretold for centuries before his birth. Sayyidah Ummul Khair Faatima

r.a. was 60 years old when Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was born. It is widely

known that women at this age are usually incapable of having children. This alone wasone of the astounding facts relating to the birth of the great Saint.

MIRACULOUS EVENTS SURROUNDING HIS BIRTH: Apart from this, there were

many other miraculous events surrounding the birth of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

Shaikh Sayyiduna Shahabud-Din Suharwardi r.a. quoted the following five miracles(Karamahs) relating to the birth of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. in his distinguished book,

Manaqib-e-Ghausia: (1). On the eve his birth, his father saw the Holy Prophet

Muhammad (s.a.w.s. ) in his dream. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s. ) gave himthe following glad tidings: O Abu Saaleh! Almighty Allah has blessed you with a pious

son. He is my beloved and the beloved of Almighty Allah. He is the most exalted

amongst the Awliya and Aqtaab. (2). When he was born, he had the impression of thefootprint ofRasoolullah, s.a.w.s. on his shoulder. This alone was the proof of his Wilayah


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(Sainthood). (3). Almighty Allah gave glad tidings to his parents in their dream that their

son would be the Sultaanul Awilyahand those who oppose him would be Gumrah

(misled). (4). On the eve of his birth, approximately eleven hundred males were born inJilan. Every one of them was a Wali Allah. (5). He was born on the eve of Ramadaan and

during the entire month of Ramadaan he never drank milk after the time of Sehri and

before the time of Iftaar. In other words, he kept fast from the day he was born. Hismother said that he never cried for milk for the entire day and he would only drink milk

at the time ofIftaar!

HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD

DEMISE OF HIS FATHER: After the demise of his father, his grandfather, ShaikhAbdullah Soomee, r.a., took care of him. It was his grandfather that was responsible for

the marriage of the parents of the great Saint. He moulded Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. from childhood into the personality that he was to be. He blessed Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. with gems of spiritualism. He nurtured him with gentleness and

showered him with words of wisdom.

VOICE FROM THE UNSEEN: Al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. was not like other children who spent their time in play and amusement. From a

tender age he spent his time in the remembrance of Almighty Allah. If he at any time everintended to join the other children, then a Voice from the Unseen would be heard to say,

Come towards Me, O blessed one. At first, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. would

become afraid when he heard this voice. He would go to his mother and sit on her lap. Astime passed, he became accustomed to this voice. Instead of going to his mother, he

would abandon the thought of playing and occupy himself in the remembrance of

Almighty Allah.

COMMENCEMENT OF ACADEMIC STUDIES: When al-Ghawth al-Azam ShaikhAbd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was four and a half years old, and according to certain

narrations, five years old, his mother enrolled him into a local Madrassa in Jilan. He

studied at this Madrassah until the age of ten. During this period, a certain amazing eventoccurred. Whenever Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. would enter the Madrassa he

would see bright figures walking ahead of him saying, Give way to the Friend of Allah.

His son, Sayyidi Abdur Razzaq r.a., reports that once Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.was asked when he first came to know of his Wilayahand the great Ghaus r.a. replied:

When I was ten years old, I found Angels walking beside me on my way to the

Madrassa. When we reached the Madrassa I would hear them say, Give way to the Wali

Allah, Give way to the Wali Allah. It was when this continued that I knew that I had beenblessed with Wilayah.

DEMISE OF SAYYIDI ABDULLAH SOOMEE r.a. : Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. was still a student at the Madrassa in Baghdad when his grandfather, Shaikh AbdullahSoomee r.a. passed away. After the demise of his grandfather, the responsibility for his

education fell upon his mother. She fulfilled this responsibility with great patience,

sincerity and dedication. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was about 18 years old when


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this incident took place. One day, he left his home for a walk. As he walked along the

streets of Jilan he saw an ox in front of him. He walked behind it for some time. The ox

then turned around and spoke to him in the language of humans. It said: You have notbeen created for this and you have not been commanded to do this. He immediately

returned home and explained this incident to his mother. He requested permission from

his mother to journey to Baghdad in order to complete his academic studies and seekmore spiritual knowledge. His mother, who was now 78 years old, acceded to this noble

request without a second thought.

HIS MOTHERS ADVICE: It was such a time where parents in their old age usually

depend on their children for moral and financial support, but this pious and pure servantof Allah only wanted the pleasure of Almighty Allah and His Rasool (s.a.w.s.). Whilst she

was very attached to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., she did not let her personal

feelings come before the pleasure of Allah. She wanted her son to be a man of knowledgeand wisdom. In those days, people used to travel either by foot or by camel or another

animal. The roads passed through dense forests and jungles and there was always the

danger of travellers being robbed and killed by bandits. Sayyidah Ummul Khair Faatimar.a. knew of the dangers but still supported her sons. She wished him well with her

Duas. She said: O my dear son! I have now become very old and I do not think I will

ever get to see you again, but my Duas will always be with you. May Almighty Allah

grant you success in your quest for academic and spiritual knowledge.

She then said: Your deceased father left eighty Dinars from which I am giving you forty

Dinars for your journey and forty Dinars I will keep for your younger brother, Sayyid

Abu Ahmad Abdullah. She took the forty Dinars and sewed them under the arm of his

coat. She once again made Dua for him. On bidding him farewell, she gave him thefollowing advice: O my beloved son! Let this advice, which I am about to give you be

an important part of your life. Always speak the truth! Do not even think of lies. Theyoung Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, My dear mother! I promise from myheart that I will always act upon your advise. Sayyidah Faatima r.a. then embraced the

apple of her eye with love and motherly gentleness for the last time, and with the words,

Go! May Allah be with you. It is He who is your Helper and Protector. The journey toBaghdad began.

ADHERENCE TO HIS MOTHERS ADVICE: After bidding farewell to his mother,

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. joined a caravan, which was on its way to Baghdad. In

those days, people travelled in groups for the sake of safety. The caravan of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. reached the city of Hamdaan without incident. After leaving Hamdaan, they

journeyed further. The journey took them into a vast forest wherein they were attacked by

sixty bandits. The leader of this band of robbers was a very notorious person calledAhmad Badwi. The travellers did not have the means to defend themselves against the

bandits and were forced to surrender their belongings and valuables to them. After raiding

the travellers, the bandits gathered together all the loot and began to distribute it amongst

themselves. Whilst all this was happening, al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. was standing verycalmly amongst the travellers. None of the bandits approached him as he was regarded as

just a young boy, until one of them decided to approach him. He went up to Shaikh Abd


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al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and asked him if he had any valuables. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. said that he had in his possession forty Dinars. When he heard this, the robber

laughed at the young Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and walked away, thinking thathe was lying.

After some time, another robber asked him the same question and he received the sameanswer. He too dismissed the reply of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. as a joke. When the

bandits gathered together, then both these bandits began to joke about the young boy whosaid he had forty Dinars. Their leader, Ahmed Badawi, asked them to bring the young

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. to him. When he was brought before Ahmed Badawi,

the leader of the bandits asked him if he had any valuables in his possession. The youngShaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. replied that he had forty Dinars on him.

Ahmed Badawi asked for the forty Dinars and Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. showed

him where he had hidden it. When they tore open the coat of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. they found the forty Dinars sewn under the armpits. When they saw this,

Ahmed Badawi and his bandits were taken aback. Ahmed Badawi asked: O young man,none of us knew that you had any money. Knowing that we are bandits, why did you still

tell us where the money was hidden?

The young Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. replied by saying: When I had left on thisjourney, I had promised my elderly and pious mother that I would never lie. How then

could I break this promise just for the sake of sixty bandits? When Ahmed Badawi heard

this, he felt great shame and, in tears, said, Oh young boy! You are so loyal in yourpromise to your mother. Shame on me, that for years I have been disloyal to my promise

with my Creator Almighty Allah.

After saying these words, the bandit cried bitterly and then fell to the feet of al-Ghawthal-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and repented for his sins. When hisaccomplices saw this, they too did likewise and repented sincerely from all their sins.

They then returned all the belongings of the travellers and escorted them out of the

jungle.

It has been stated that the tauba (repentance) of these bandits was so sincere that theywere blessed with Wilayah, through the Sadqa of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Referring to this incident, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. stated:

This was the first tauba (repentance) that a group of misled persons had made at myhands.

Shaikh ABD AL-QAADIR AL-JILANI ENTERS BAGHDAD: The city of Baghdad

was blessed with the presence al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. in

the year 488 A.H. When he arrived in Baghdad, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.already spent the forty Dirhams given to him by his mother. Without any money, he

began to spend his days in hunger and poverty. Due to immense poverty, he went towards

the Arcade of Chosroes in search of Halaal food. When he reached the Arcade, he found


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that there were already seventy Awliya Allah in search of Halaal food. Since he did not

wish to be in their way, he returned to Baghdad.

On his way back, he met a traveller from Jilan. When he heard that Shaikh Abd al-Qaadiral-Jilani r.a. was from Jilan, he asked him if he knew a young man by the name of Abd

al-Qaadir. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. informed him that he was Abd al-Qaadir.The traveller then handed a block of gold to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. saying

that it had been sent to him by his mother. When Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. heardthis, he immediately made the Shukrof Almighty Allah. He then returned to the Arcade

of Chosroes where he presented most of the gold to theAwliya Allah who were in search

of food. He then took a little for himself and returned to Baghdad.

On his return to Baghdad, he prepared meals and fed the poor and then shared this meal

with them. This alone shows the character of the great Ghaus that even though he was

without food, he first gave most of his gold to the Awliya Allah, then fed the poor before

eating the the food himself. Without doubt, this is the sign of a true servant of Allah.

It was in this manner that the life of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. commenced in the holy city of Baghdad.

ATTAINING AND COMPLETION OF ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE

After a few days in Baghdad Shareef, al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. enrolled for academic studies at the famous Jamia Nizamia, which was the centre oflearning and spiritualism in the Islamic world. Teachers of great calibre and piety tutored

here.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. studied with great sincerity and dedication.

Amongst his teachers were: Abul Wafa Ali bin Aqeel, Abu Zakariyah Yahyaa bin AliTabrezi, Abu Saeed bin Abdul Kareem, Abul Anaaim Muhammad bin Ali bin

Muhammad, Abu Saeed bin Mubaarak Makhzoomi, and Abul Khair Hamaad bin

Muslim Al Dabbas r.a. He attained the knowledge ofQirah, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh,

Shariah and Tareeqah from the above-mentioned Ulama.

He also excelled in all these subjects. In the field ofAdab, his teacher was Allama Abu

Zakariyah Tabrezi r.a. who was a greatAalim of his time. He was also the author of

variousKitaabs such as Tafseerul Quraan Wal Eraab, Sharah Qasaaidul

AshraSharah Diwaan Abi Tamaam. In the field ofFiqh and Usool-e-Fiqh, histeachers were: Shaikh Abul Wafa bin Aqeel Hambali, Abul Hassan Muhammad bin Qaazi

Abul Ulaa and Shaikh Abul Khataab Mahfooz Hambali, and Qaazi Abu Saeed Mubaarak

bin Ali Makhzoomi Hambali r.a.

In the field ofHadith, he attained knowledge from the following Ulama: Sayyidi Abul

Barkaat Talhaa Al Aaqooli, Abul Anaim Muhammad bin Ali bin Maimoon Al Farsi, Abu

Uthmaan Ismaeel bin Muhammad Al Isbihaani, Abu Ghaalib Muhammad bin Hassan Al


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Baaqilaani, Abu Muhammad Jaafar bin Ahmad binil Husaini, Sayyidi Muhammad

Mukhtaar Al Haashmi, Sayyidi Abu Mansoor Abdur Rahmaan Al Qazzaaz, Abul Qaasim

Ali bin Ahmad Bannaan Al Karghi After intense studies, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilanir.a. qualified from Jamia Nizamia. During this period, there was no Aalim present on the

earth who was more knowledgeable and pious than Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

HARDSHIPS FACED DURING STUDIES

While studying in Baghdad, he faced many hardships and was tested severely by the lifeof Baghdad. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. himself used to say: The hardship and

difficulties that I faced in Baghdad during my studies were so severe that if they had to be

placed on a mountain, then even the mountain would split in two. He also used to say:When the hardships and difficulties would become unbearable, then I would lay on the

road and continuosly recite the Ayah of the Holy Quran, Then without doubt there is

easiness with shortages, without doubt there is easiness with shortages. By making

takraarof thisAyah I used to find great tranquillity and peace.

After adjourning from classes, he used to wander into the jungles and forests of Baghdad

where he used to spend the entire night in theZikrof Almighty Allah. He did this

regardless of the weather conditions or season. If he become tired and weak, he would

rest for a while making the ground his bed and a boulder his pillow. During these nightsof Zikr, he would dress in a small turban and a thin cloak. If he became hungry, he used

to go towards the river Euphrates and eat whatever vegetables he could find beside the

river. He always said that he gained much pleasure in this way of life and it caused him togain closeness to Almighty Allah.

PATIENCE DURING A SEVERE DROUGHT: Once, while he was studying, the city

of Baghdad experienced a severe drought. The conditions in Baghdad became sodesperate that people became dependant on every grain that they could find. When therewas no more grain, people began to eat plants and leaves from trees. During this time, al-

Ghawth al-Azam r.a. used to also go out in search for food. But when he saw others in

search of food, he would return to the city empty-handed, as he did not feel it appropriateto impose by disturbing others whom he thought needed food more than he did. Many

days had passed by without him eating.

Due to intense hunger, he was compelled to go out in search of food towards a market in

Baghdad known as Sooqur Raihaanain. As he entered the market, his hunger had madehim so weak and tired, that be could not stand anymore. He saw a Musjid nearby and

slowly dragged himself towards it. He entered the Musjid and sat against one of the walls

of the Musjid to support his now tired and weak body. He sat there for a while. Then hesaw a person enter the Musjid. The person sat in one corner and opened a parcel in which

there was fried meat and bread. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. reported this incident

that the person then began to have this meal. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. says:The intensity of my hunger was so great that every time the person lifted a morsel of

food to his mouth, my mouth would open uncontrollably with his and would wish that I

also had something to eat.


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I picked it up and saw the following words written on it, Almighty Allah has stated in

one of the past Books, that the Lions of Allah have no desire for the pleasures of this

world. Desires and pleasure (in food) are for the old and weak who depend on this to gainstrength forIbadah. When I read this my entire body began to tremble in the fear of Allah

causing all the hair on my body to stand on end. I immediately removed the desire of

eating from my mind and read two Rakahs of Salaah and then left the Musjid withouteating.

ENCOUNTER WITH A PIOUS SERVANT OF ALLAH

It was a common practice during harvesting season in Baghdad Shareef for students to

get together at a nearby village called Baaqooba and to ask the farmers for some grainfrom their annual harvest. In those days, the people showed great respect to students and

happily gave them grain. On one occasion, the students, who were in the class of Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., insisted that he accompany them to the village of Baaqooba.

Since he did not want to disappoint them, he accompanied them to the village. When they

reached there, Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. heard that a pious servant of Allah, by the nameof Shareef Baaqoobi lived in this village. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. decided to

meet this pious servant to obtain his blessings. When Shareef Baaqoobi saw Al-Ghawthal-Azam r.a. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., he immediately recognised that this was

the Qutb-e-Zaman. He told him: 0 my son! Those who strive in the path of Allah do not

sketch their hands out to anyone but Allah. You seem to be amongst the chosen servantsof Allah. For you to ask for grain (from the people of Baaqooba) is contrary to your

status.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states: From that day onwards, I never accompanied

anyone on such trips and I never asked anything from anyone again.

ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNSEEN: One day, the Great Ghawth r.a. was studying inthe jungle when he heard a voice from the Unseen call to him: O Abd al-Qaadir! You

have not eaten in days and most of your time is being spent in studies. Go to someone

and get something on credit. It is the Sunnah of the Ambiya.

When Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. heard this, he replied that he could not take anything oncredit, as he had no means of repaying this credit. The voice answered: Do not worry

about this. Repaying your credit is Our responsibility.

After receiving this message, he went to a shop and requested the shopkeeper for some

food on credit. He said: "I would like for you to give me one and a half rotis (slices ofbread) daily on credit, which I will repay when I have the means, and if I die before this,

then you should pardon my credit.

The shopkeeper, being a pious servant of Allah, began to cry when he heard these wordsof Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. He repled: Take anything that you wish to take from my

shop and whenever you wish to do so.


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From that day onwards, he used to take one and a half rotis (bread) daily. The days passed

by rapidly and Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. began to worry about the money that he owed.

One day, he was engrossed in this thought when the same Voice from the Unseen calledto him and said: O Abd al-Qaadir! Go to a certain place and whatever you find there,

give it to the shopkeeper.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. went to that spot that he was commanded to go to.

There, he found a piece of gold. He took this piece of gold and gave it to the shopkeeperthus paying off his credit.

ATTAINMENT OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE

After the completion of his academic studies, Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. did not cease in

his quest for in-depth spiritual knowledge. To quench this spiritual thirst, Almighty Allahpresented him with the opportunity of coming under the guidance of Shaikh Hammaad

bin Muslim Ad Dabbaas r.a. He was amongst the superior Mashaaikh of Baghdad

Shareef.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states that there came a time in Baghdad when therewas an abundance offitna (fighting) andfasaad(trouble). Since he did not want any part

of this, he decided to leave Baghdad Shareef for a more peaceful environment. Al-

Ghawth al-Azam r.a. says: I made my intention to leave Baghdad due to the unsuitableconditions and I was on my way out of Baghdad, when from the Unseen, some great

strength pushed me so hard that that I fell to the ground. Then, I heard a Voice from the

Unseen say, Do not leave here. The creation of Allah will gain benefit through you. Onhearing this, I said, What do I have to do with the people? All that I want is to protect my

Deen (Imaan). The Voice then said, No, No, It is of utmost importance for you to

remain here. No harm will come to yourDeen (Imaan).

I immediately changed my mind and I remained in Baghdad for the Pleasure of Allah.The very next day, as I was passing through a street, a man opened the door of his house

and called to me. He said: O Abd al-Qaadir! What did you ask from your Creator

yesterday? With these words and in greatJalaal, he closed the door of his house. I

walked for some time and then realised that I had made a grave error. This person was aWali. If he wasnt then he would not have known what had happened the previous day. I

went in search for his door but was unsuccessful. Thereafter, I looked for him wherever I

went, until one day I saw him in a Majlis. I stayed in his company from then onwards.This personality was Sayyidi Hammaad bin Muslim Ad Dabbaas r.a.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. gained deep spiritual knowledge from Shaikh

Hammaad r.a., who was originally from Syria. He was born in a village near Damascus.

He travelled to Baghdad and lived in a place called Muzaffariyyab until his demise in 525A.H. His Mazaaris in the Shawneezia Cemetery in Baghdad Shareef.


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Apart from Sayyidi Hammaad r.a., al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. also gained spiritual

education from Shaikh Abu Saeed Mubaarak Makhzoomi r.a. This will be detailed a little

later in this book.

HIS STRIVING ENDURANCE IN THE PATH OF ALLAH

By the year 496 A.H., al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. completed his academic and spiritual

studies. Thereafter he engaged inMujahida and Riyazaat(spiritual exercises and

endeavours in the path of Allah) from 496 A.H. until 592 A.H., a period of 25 years.

During these 25 years, he engrossed himself in such intense spiritual exercises that justby reading about them one can only but marvel at the dedication of this Great Saint. His

sincerity and dedication in controlling his nafs took him swiftly to the levels of Fana-fi

Rasool and Fana Fi Allah.

He was now totally drowned in the sea of love of Allah and HisRasool(s.a.w.s.) He

turned himself into a strong mountain of patience and firmness that could not be moved.The notable events that took place during this part of his life are numerous. If they are

recorded, then this alone would fill volumes. To give us some appreciation of his spiritualcondition during these 25 years, a few incidents are quoted hereinunder:

SUPPRESSING HIS NAFS: Once while delivering a lecture, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. said, For 25 years, I roamed the jungles of Iraq. For 40 years, I performed my

Fajr Salaah with the Wudhu ofEsha and for 15 years I used to stand on one foot untilFajrand complete (recitation of) the entire Quran.

During this time, I sometimes spent between three and 40 days without eating even a

morsel. Shaikh Abul Masood bin Abu Bakr Hareemi r.a. reports that al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. once said to him. Year after year, I spent struggling with my nafsby puttingmyself through various strenuous and intense tests. For one year, I ate only vegetables

and drank no water. The following year I only drank water and ate nothing and the year

after that, I did not eat and drink for the entire year. There were times when I did notsleep a wink.

During this time I used to put myself through various spiritual exercises. There were

times when I would be so drowned in struggling against my nafs, that I used to roll on

thorns until my entire body would be severely bruised and cut, and I would becomeunconscious. People would pick me up and take me to theHaakim. He would certify me

dead. Thinking that I was dead, they would prepare for my Ghusaland kaffan. When theyused to place me on the bathing board to give me Ghusl, I used to awake from thisspiritual condition and walk away.

Once al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. stated: During the early

stages of myMujaahida I used to, on many occasions, be unaware of my own condition.

I never used to even know where I was and how I got there. Once, in a village close toBaghdad, I entered into such a spiritual condition, which caused me to be totally unaware


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of my physical self. In this condition, I began to run. When I regained my normal senses,

then only did I realise that I had been running for 12 days without stopping. I was amazed

at what had happened to me. Then a woman passed by me and said, You are Shaikh Abdal-Qaadir. You should not be astonished when something like this happens to you.

MEETING WITH HADRAT KHIDR a.s.

Sayyiduna al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states that when he

had just commenced his spiritual exercises in the jungles of Baghdad, he met a personwho was very handsome, had a pious and bright face. The person asked him if he would

like to stay with him. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said that he would. The person

then said that this could only be done if Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. promises to beobedient to his commands, and to never question his sayings or actions.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. immediately agreed to this. This person then

commanded al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. to sit at a prescribed spot and not to move until he

returned. The person left and only returned after one year to find Shaikh Abd al-Qaadiral-Jilani r.a. still seated at the prescribed spot. He spent a few moments with al-Ghawth

al-Azam r.a. and then asked him to sit there and wait for him to return once more. This

person left and returned after another year. He once again spent some time with the great

Saint and then left again giving him the same command as he had done twice before. Hereturned after another year, this time bringing with him milk and roti (bread). He then

said, I am Hadrat Khidr a.s. and I have been asked to share this meal with you. They sat

together and ate this blessed meal. Hadrat Khidr a.s. then asked, O Abd al-Qaadir! Whatdid you eat for the three years while sitting in one spot? He replied, Whatever the

people had thrown away.

HIS FIRSTHAJJ: Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. performed his first Hajj in theprime of his youth. It is recorded in the distinguished book Azkaarul Abraar that al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. stated: I performed my first Hajj in the prime of my youth. On my

journey for Hajj, I came to the Tower of Quroon, where I met Shaikh Adi bin Musaafir

r.a. He was also very young during this time. He asked me if he could accompany me onmy journey. I happily agreed. Thus, we both began to travel together.

After some time, I saw an Abyssinian woman in a veil standing in front of me and

looking at me very attentively. She then asked my name and origin. I replied by giving

her my name and old her that I was from Jilan. She then said, O Young man! You havemade me tired searching for you. I was in Abyssinia when I was spiritually informed that

Almighty Allah has filled your heart with HisNoor(Light) and has blessed you with such

excellence that no otherWali Allah has ever received. After I was informed of this, I leftin search of you. Now that I have seen you, my heart desires that I should travel with you

today and make Iftaarwith you. When evening came, I saw that a tray descend from the

skies. On this tray were six rotis, gravy and vegetables.

When the Abyssinian woman saw this she said, O Allah! You have protected my respect.Usually You send two rotis for me every night, but today You sent enough for all three of


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us. After we had eaten, the tray ascended into the skies, and another tray descended with

three containers of water. This water was sweet and delicious and I have never before nor

since tasted such water. After this, the lady left. Shaikh Musaafir and myself continuedour journey till we reachedMakkatul Mukarramah.

Once, while making Tawaafin theHaram, theNoorof Allah descended on Adi binMusaafir causing him to fall unconscious. By looking at him, it seemed as if he had

passed away. I was still going towards him when I saw the same pious Abyssinian womanbeside him. She shook him and said, That Allah Who caused you to die, is the same

Allah Who will bring you back to life; that Allah before WhoseNoor, none is equal. The

world would have not come into existence and cannot exist without His Command. Allthis never was before He created it. Now, the Light and Power of Allah has filled the

hearts and minds of the People of Intelligence and knowledge and this has caused their

eyes to close.

Just as she said these words, Shaikh Adi came back to his senses and stood up. Then,

while making TawaafAlmighty Allah sent his blessed rays of light on me and I heard avoice from the Unseen which said, O Abd al-Qaadir, forget the physical world and

remember your Creator. We will show you signs from amongst Our wonders. Do not joinyour worldly thoughts with Our thoughts. Remain steadfast. Do not look for the pleasure

of none other than that of Mine. Be prepared to be of benefit to the creation of Allah,

since they are certain chosen servants of Mine who will reach Me through your Wasila.When this happened,

I heard the voice of the Abyssinian woman saying, O Abd al-Qaadir! You have been

blessed with a great gift today. I see an umbrella of light above your head and I see

Angels all around you. Today, all theAwliya Allah are looking towards you. After saying

these words, she disappeared and was never to be seen again.

HIS BATTLES AGAINST EVIL FORCES: Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states

that during his life he had encountered various attacks from Shaitaan and his partners.

Through the assistance of Almighty Allah he was always victorious over Shaitaan.Almighty Allah always protected him from this even when his nafs would try and force

him into certain desires. When the Shayateen would attempt with vigour to sway the great

al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a., he would hear a voice saying, O Abd al-Qaadir! Stand firm andchallenge them. Our help is with you.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states that when he used to hear this, then he would

stand firmly and challenge the Shayateen and become victorious over them. He says that

at times the Shayateen would take daring and frightening forms and come towards him,and he would say inJalaal, La Howla walaa Quwatta Ilaa bil laahil Aliyil Azeem and

firmly strike the face of the Shaytaan, who would then disappear.

HIS FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH SHAITAAN: He says that once Shaitaan came to

him in a very ugly form and with a foul odour emanating from that cursed presence.Shaitaan said, I am Iblees. You have exhausted my students and me in our attempts to


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mislead you. I would now like to become your servant. On hearing this, the great

Ghawth said, O Cursed One! Leave here at once. After this command of Shaikh Abd

al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Shaytaan still refused to leave. A Hand came from the Unseen andhit Shaitaan on his head with such force that it caused him to sink into the ground.

HIS SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH SHAITAAN: Shaikh Ghaus-eA'zam r.a. states.Once Shaytaan came to me and in his hand he had balls of fire, which he threw towards

me. While this was happening, a veiled person on a white horse appeared and gave asword in my hand. The moment I took the sword in my hand, Shaytaan turned and began

to run.

HIS THIRD ENCOUNTER WITH SHAYTAAN: The great Saint r.a. states: Onceagain I saw Shaitaan, but this time in a very sad state. I saw him sitting on the ground

putting sand on his head. When he saw me he said, O Abd al-Qaadir, you have made me

very sad and disillusioned. I then said, O Cursed One! Go away. I am always asking

protection from you (in Allah). On hearing this, he said, These words hurt me even

more. He then spread enormous amounts of traps around me. I asked what this was andhe said, These are the traps and nets of this world in which we trap people like you.

After this, for one year, I gave thought to these traps of the world until I broke every oneof them.

HIS STEADFASTNESS ONSHARIAH: After gaining in-depth academic and spiritual

knowledge, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was not only the most pious and

knowledgeable personality, but he was a guiding light to the misguided and a firmmountain when it came to speaking against that which was incorrect. He always said that

even until Qiyamah, none can change the Shariah. Any person who goes against the

command of the Shariah is an evil person (Shaitaan). His son, Shaikh Zia-ud-deen Abu

Nasr Moosa r.a. states:

My father, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilani r.a. once told me that he was one day making

Mujahida in the jungle when he began to feel very thirsty. Suddenly, a cloud appeared

above him and drops of cold rainwater fell over him. He drank and quenched his thirst, asthis was the Mercy of Allah. He said that after some time another cloud appeared over

him giving out light so powerful that the ends of the sky became lit up with the

brightness. He said that he then saw a figure in the cloud which said, O Abd al-Qaadir! Iam your Creator. I have made everything Halaalfor you. He said that when he heard

this, he read the Taoozand the light disappeared immediately and turned into darkness. A

voice then said, O Abd al-Qaadir! Allah has saved you from me because of your

knowledge and piety otherwise, I have misled many Mystics, with this trap. Al-Ghawthal-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. answered by saying, Verily, it is the Grace

of my Creator, which is with me. I then asked my father how he had known that this was

Shaitaan, and he replied, His saying that he has made that which isHaraam, Halaalupon me because Allah does not command wrong.

FIRMNESS ON HIS WORD: After this incident with Shaitaan, Al-Ghawth al-Azam

r.a. continued his striving in the path of Allah with even more faith and piety. He would


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sit in an old tower on the outskirts of Baghdad where he would make Ibadah and engross

himself in theZikrof Almighty Allah. Once while seated here, he entered into a deep

spiritual condition in which the following incident took place. Al-Ghawth al-AzamShaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. himself narrates this incident. He says: While sitting

in the tower outside Baghdad, I once entered into a deep spiritual condition in which I

made a vow with Almighty Allah that I will not eat or drink anything unless somebodyputs a morsel of food or a drop of water into my mouth with their own hands. After

taking this oath, forty days had passed without me eating or drinking anything. After forty

days, a stranger arrived with some curry and bread. He placed it in front of me and left.Due to intense hunger, my nafs wanted to have the food, but my soul stopped me and

reminded me of my vow with Allah. Then, I heard a huge noise inside me saying, I am

hungry, I am hungry. I paid no attention towards this as it was my nafs, and I continued

making theZikrof Almighty Allah.

It was during this time that Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzoomi r.a. was passing by me. With

his spiritual strength, he heard the noise from inside my stomach. He came close to me

and said, O Abd al-Qaadir! What is this noise? I replied, This is the impatience of thenafs, otherwise, the soul is satisfied. He then said, Come to my house and left. In my

mind, I said that I would not go until I am made to do so. Just then Hadrat Khidr a.s.

arrived and said, Stand up and go to the house of Abu Saeed Makhzoomi r.a.

Thus, I stood up and went to the house of Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzoomi r.a. and foundhim standing at the door of his house. On seeing me he said, Abd al-Qaadir! Was my

saying not sufficient that Khidr a.s. had to command you. Saying this, he then took me

into his house and fed me with his own hands until I had eaten and drank enough.

THE COURT OF HIS PEER-O-MURSHID r.a.

BAIAT(SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE): Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. gained hisspiritual training in Baghdad from two of the greatest Mystics of their time - Shaikh

Sayyidi Abul Khair Hammaad bin Muslim Ad Dabbaas r.a. and Shaikh Qaazi Abu Saeed

Mubaarak Al Makhzoomi r.a. Although he had gained many blessings from both thesepersonalities, he had not yet pledged his spiritual allegiance to a spiritual guide (Peer-o-

Murshid).

Finally, the time had come and according to the Will of Almighty Allah, he presented

himself in the court of Shaikh Qaazi Abu Saeed Al Makhzoomi r.a. and became hisdisciple (Mureed) thus joining his Halqa and spiritual order. Shaikh Abu Saeed r.a.

showed much love and attention to this unique disciple and blessed him with gems of

spiritualism and mysticism.

Once while Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and others where seated in front of theShaikh, he asked Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. to fetch something. While he was

gone, Shaikh Makhzoomi r.a. addressing those present said, One day, the foot of that

young man will be on the shoulders of all the Awliya Allah and all the Awliya of his timewill humble themselves before him.


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INITIATION INTO THE SPIRITUAL ORDER: After Sayyidi Abu Saeed Makhzoomi

r.a. admitted Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. into the spiritual order, he fed him a meal

with is own hands. Concerning this, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. says, For everymorsel of food that my Shaikh-e-Tareeqatput into my mouth, my heart began to fill with

the light ofMarifah.

Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzoomi r.a. then dressed Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. in the Garb of

Sainthood (Khirqa) and said: ThisKhirqa was given to Sayyiduna Ali-e-Murtaza r.a. bySarkaar-e-Do Aalam, s.a.w.s. He in turn gave it to Khwaja Hassan Basri r.a. and from him

through generations it reached me. Once Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. had been

dressed in this Garb, the rays ofNoorcould be seen descending upon him. TheKhirqa(Saintly Garb) that was bestowed upon the great Saint had been handed down from

generation to generation. A tree depicting how theKhirqa Mubarakreached Shaikh Abd

al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. is shown below.

SARWAR-E-KAUNAIN SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH s.a.w.s.

ASADULLAH SAYYIDUNA ALI-E-MURTAZA r.a.

KHWAJA HASSAN BASRI r.a.

Shaikh HABEEB AJMI r.a.

Shaikh DAWOOD TAEE r.a.

Shaikh MAROOF KARGHI r.a.

Shaikh SIRRI SAQTI r.a.

Shaikh JUNAID-E-BAGHDADI r.a.

Shaikh ABU BAKR SHIBLI r.a.

Shaikh ABDUL WAAHID TAMEEMI r.a.

Shaikh ABUL FARAH TARTOOSI r.a.

Shaikh ABUL HASSAN ALl BIN MUHAMMAD AL QARSHI r.a. Shaikh ABU SAEED MUBAARAK BIN ALI MAKHZOOMI r.a.

SAYYIDUNA Shaikh ABDUL QAADIR JILANI r.a.

REFORMING THE MUSLIMS OF BAGHDAD

As it has been stated earlier in this book that Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. had come

to Baghdad when it was a city full of corruption and misled persons. It was also during

this time that the misled sought to debate their contention that the Holy Quran was

allegedly a creation. It was a very testing time for Muslims all over the world, since theCrusades had begun, where the entire Christian world was bent on destroying the Muslim

Empire. The passage of time during which al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. had completed hisstudies and undertaken twenty-five years of spiritual exercises, had resulted in thecondition in Baghdad becoming even worse.

Falsehood and cults were beginning to spread at an alarming rate. The respect for

knowledge and for the people of knowledge was wearing thin in the hearts of the people

of Baghdad. It was a time of great deterioration in the following of the Sunnah. It was atime when there was a dire need for a Reformer of the ways of the people and a Reviver


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of the true Faith. This Reformer and Reviver was none other thatImam-ul-Awliya Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. He entered the arena at this time of corruption and conflict

and within a short space of time, he once again turned the blessed city of Baghdad intothe center of learning and spiritualism. The enlightened event that led to Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilanis r.a. first lecture to the people of Baghdad is detailed below:

ZIYARAHOFSAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAHs.a.w.s.: On the 16th ofShawaal461

A.H.Hijri, close to midday, the King of theAwliya, al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. saw in his dream the King of theAmbiya andRasool, Sayyiduna

Rasoolullah s.a.w.s. The Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. said to him, O Abd al-Qaadir! Why do

you not lecture and give advice to the people so you may save them from being misled?

He replied: Ya Rasoolallah, s.a.w.s.! I am a non-Arab. What am I going to say in front

of the fluent-speaking Arabs? The Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. said, Open your mouth. He

placed his blessed Saliva seven times into the mouth of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

and then said, Lecture and give advice to the people and bring them towards the

path of Almighty Allah.

HIS FIRST LECTURE: After waking from this spiritually enlightening dream, Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. performed hisZohr Salaah and sat down to deliver his first

lecture to the people of Baghdad. At once, people began to gather around him. When hesaw this, he paused. Just then he entered a spiritual condition in which he saw Sher-e-

Khuda Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtadha (Karamallahu taaala Wajhahul Kareem) standing in

front of him and saying, Why are you not commencing your lecture? Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, I feel nervous. Sayyiduna Ali r.a. then said, Open your

mouth! and he placed his blessed saliva six times into the mouth of Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. then asked. Why did you not place your

blessed saliva seven times into my mouth? Sayyiduna Ali r.a. answered, Out of respectfor the Holy Prophet, s.a.w.s. Saying these words, Sayyiduna Ali r.a. disappeared.

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. then commenced his lecture in such pure and fluentArabic that authorities of the Arabic language seated in his lecture where astounded by

his lecture. Thus, commenced Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilanis r.a. reformation of the

people of Baghdad.

HIS REFORMATIONPROGRESSES: Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. usuallydelivered lectures thrice a week - on Wednesday evenings, Fridays,and on Sunday

mornings. This blessed practice continued for forty years, from 521 A.H. to 561 A.H. At

first, he began delivering lectures and teaching people in the Madrassah belonging to

Sayyidi Shaikh Aby Saeed Makhzoomi r.a.

The people of Baghdad and neighbouring cities began flocking to the lectures of Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. in such great numbers that the Madrassah became too small

for these gatherings. There would often be no place inside the Madrassah, forcing peopleto sit out on the streets to listen to his lectures and advice. In 568 A.H. a few houses

around theMadrassah were purchased and incorporated to make the Madrassahbigger.

After some time, even this proved to be too small. TheMimbarof Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir


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al-Jilani r.a. was then carried and placed in a massive open area (Eid Gaah) where more

than 70,000 people would present themselves in each of his lectures. In each of his

gatherings, there would be four people recording his lectures in writing and two Qaaris,who recited the Holy Quran. His lectures became so famous in a very short space of time

that it attracted people from all parts of the world, thus making Baghdad Shareefthe

centre of learning and spiritualism once again.

EFFECTS OF HIS LECTURES: His lectures were full of knowledge and wisdom.They were so influential and powerful that listeners would go into spiritual ecstasy. Some

of them would tear their clothes. Others would fall unconscious. On some occasions,

certain listeners would become so lost in the gems of love for Allah and His Rasools.a.w.s. that the great Saint presented in his lectures, that they would even pass away in

this condition. On various occasions, even non-Muslims came to his lectures. After

listening to his lectures they would find that they could not refute anything he said andthey would willingly accept Islam. In addition to the ordinary members of the public,

Rijaal-ul-Ghaib andJinns also frequented his blessed gatherings.Akaabireen and

Mashaaikh also frequented his gatherings. It was a training school for the young, a placeto repent for the sinful, a place of guidance for the misguided, and a bank of spiritualism

for the spiritually bankrupt.

His voice was very stern and sharp. One of the miracles of hisMajlis was that each and

every person sitting there heard him alike, even though in those times, there was nomeans of voice amplification, such as microphones and the like. Al-Ghawth al-Azams

r.a. close student, Sayyidi Abdullah Jabaaee r.a., states that during this era of his lectures,

more than 100,000 sinners repented at the blessed hands of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and

thousands of Jews and Christians accepted Islam at his hands.

All the great scholars agree that during that era the majority of the people in Baghdadrepented from their wrongs at the hands of the great Saint and also became his disciples.

Once, thirteen Christians accepted Islam in theMajlis of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilanir.a. When they were requested to explain their acceptance of Islam, they said that they

heard of the religion of Islam and that their hearts were pleased with thisDeen but they

had been in search of a true servant of Allah who would, by looking at them, dispel the

darkness of their hearts. While they were in search of this true servant of Allah, theyheard a Voice from the Unseen saying, Go to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir in Baghdad and

bring Islam on his hands, for it is he who will cleanse your hearts and fill it with light of

Imaan (Faith). When the thirteen Christians received this message from the Unseen, theytravelled to Baghdad and accepted Islam on the hands of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilani r.a.

On one occasion, a monk named Sanaan presented himself in the gathering of Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and accepted Islam on the hands of the great Saint. After

bringing Imaan, he stood up in the gathering and said: O people! I am a citizen ofYemen and for many years I lived in seclusion as a Christian Monk. For some time now, I

have realised the truth of Islam, but after looking at the ways of the present Muslims, I

delayed my acceptance of Islam and made a vow that I will accept Islam on the hands ofa person who is the most pious amongst people. After making this vow, one night, I


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dreamt of Sayyiduna Esa Masih a.s. who said, O Sanaan! Go to Baqhdad and accept

Islam on his hands. At the present moment, there is none on this earth that is more pious

and firm on religion than he is, and there is none more exalted than him in this time.After this dream, I came here today and accepted Islam and I have found him to be as I

have heard.

Al-Ghawth al-Azams r.a. lectures were inspiring to all who frequented hisMajlis. His

words were kind but firm. He was not swayed by the power or status of anyone. If theywere wrong, he did not hesitate to correct them in hisMajlis or anywhere else. He feared

none but Allah and made those who were in hisMajlis aware of this. Once, one of the

close ministers of the Khalifa Azeezuddeen came to the Majlis of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadiral-Jilani r.a. When he saw him, the great Saint said, The condition of those like you is

such, that one man is lost in the slaveship of another. Who then is the true slave of

Allah? He then addressed Azeezuddeen directly and said, Stand up! Keep your handon my hand so that you may distance yourself from this mundane world and run towards

your Creator.

HISKARAMAH(MIRACLES)

THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR PRESENTING THEMSELVES TO AL-GHAWTH

AL-AZAM: Hadrat Shaikh Abul Qaasim r.a. states that once Shaikh Abu Bakr, ShaikhAbul Khair, Shaikh Ibn Mahfooz, Shaikh Abu Hafs Umar, Shaikh Abul Aas Ahmad

Imkaani, Shaikh Abdul Wahab r.a. and himself r.a. were all in the presence of the great al-

Ghawth al-Azam r.a. It was a Friday, the 30 th of Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 560 A.H. During thistime, Shaikh Qaasim r.a. states that a young handsome youth came into the blessed court

of the great Saint. He sat with great respect, and then said: O Friend of Allah! May there

be Salaams upon you. I am the month ofRajab, and I have come to give you glad tiding

that this is a good month for the people. They should thus do many good deeds in thismonth. Shaikh Qaasim r.a. states that on another occasion, a youth again came to the

Darbaarof al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and with great respect said, I am the month of

Shabaan. I have not brought any glad tidings, but have come to inform you that in this

month the people of Arabia will be in difficulty. There will be wars fought in Khurasaan

and there will be sickness in Iraq through which many people will die. Shaikh Qaasim

r.a. states that after a few days, news reached Baghdad of these happenings in Arabia andKhurasaan and he states that during that time a disease spread in Iraq killing scores of

people.

HIS SIGHT ONLAUH-E-MAHFOOZ(THE PROTECTED TABLET): It is written

in one narration that Shaikh Abul Hafs r.a. states: Our Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilani r.a.used to fly in the air and would say, The sun does not rise before presenting Salaams in

my court. By the Wrath and Honour of Allah! All the good and bad persons are before my

sight. My eyes are fixed firmly onLauh-e-Mahfooz. Time and again, I immerse myself inthe sea of knowledge and wisdom blessed by Allah and I am the Sign (Nishaan) of Allah

to the people, and the specially appointed representative of my forefather, Nabi

Muhammad, s.a.w.s., and I am his viceroy on this earth.


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HIS POWER OVERJINNS: Shaikh Abu Futoob Muhammad bin Abil Aas Yusuf bin

Ismaeel bin Ahmad Ali Qarshi Tameemi Bakri Baghdadi r.a. reports that once Shaikh Abu

Saeed Abdullab bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Muhammad Baghdadi Azjaee r.a. came to ShaikhAbd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and complained to him about his sixteen-year old daughter,

Faatima. Faatima, who was very beautiful, had gone onto the roof of the house and she

suddenly disappeared from there. When Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. heard this hecomforted him and told him not to worry.

The great Saint then asked him to a certain jungle at night. On entering this jungle,

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. told him that he would see many sand heaps. He

should sit on the fifth sand heap that he passed. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. thentold him that he should draw a circle around him saying Bismillahand that he should

then say Abdul Qaadir.

The great Saint then said: Towards the third portion of the night, you will find an armyofJinnspassing by. They will look really frightening and fierce, but you should not fear.

You should remain seated and wait. Exactly at the time of the first light, the most

powerful King of theJinns will pass that way and he will personally come to you and askyour problem. On his request, you should explain to him your situation and then tell him

that Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. has sent you. You should then tell him about your

daughters disappearance.

Shaikh Muhammad Baghdadi r.a. states: I did as al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said. I sat on the sand heap, drew a circle around me and waited. After

some time, I saw armies ofJinns in frightening forms passing by. They were very upset

with me sitting in their path, but they passed without saying a word, as they did not have

the courage to enter the circle. In the morning, the King passed and asked my request.When I explained my problem to him and told him that Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani

r.a. had sent me, he got off his horse and stood with respect listening to me. He then sentthe Jinns to summon back aJinn who had captured my daughter. My daughter wasbrought back and the mischievousJinn was punished for his doing.

A THIEF BECOMES AN ABDAAL (HIGH-RANKING SAINT): Once a thief entered

the house of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. with the intention of stealing. On entering

the house, he became blind and could not see anything. He was unable to find his way outof the house and he eventually sat in one corner of the house. In the morning, he was

caught and brought before Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. . When Al-Ghawth al-

Azam r.a. saw him, he placed his blessed hands on the thiefs eyes. The thiefs eyesightwas immediately restored. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. then said, He came to steal

materialistic (worldly wealth), I will bless him with such a treasure that it will remain

with him forever. On saying these words, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. placed hisblessed sight on the thief once and elevated him to the status ofWilayat(Sainthood). It

was also during this time that one of the appointed Abdaals had passed away. Shaikh Abd

al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. took the thief, now a Wali, and sent him out as the replacement for

theAbdaalthat had passed away. Subhan-Allah!


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TRANSPORTATION FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER: Once whilst Shaikh Abd

al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was delivering one of his spiritually enlightening lectures, a person

by the name of Abul Muaali was present in this gathering. He was seated directly infront of the great Saint. During the course of the lecture, Abul Muaali found that he

needed to answer the call of nature (relieve himself). He tried to suppress this need

because he found it disrespectful to leave the gathering of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. Hecontrolled the urge to the best of his ability, but when he could not do so any longer, he

decided to leave. As he was about to stand, he saw the great Ghawth r.a. walking down

the first stair of the pulpit (Mimbar) onto the second stair. As the Saint came to the secondstair, Abul Muaali saw an image of the great Saint on the mimbar. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir

al-Jilani r.a. came down to him and threw his shawl over him.

As this happened, Abul Muaali found that he was no longer in the gathering, but rather

in a valley with beautiful lush vegetation. It was beautified even more by a stream, whichflowed through it. He immediately answered the call of nature, performed Wudhu and

then prayed twoRakaats Salaah. As he completed the Salaah, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. pulled the shawl off him. When Abul Muaali looked, he found to hisamazement that he was still in the gathering of the great Saint r.a. and he had not even

missed one word of the lecture of the great Saint. However, much later Abul Muaali

discovered that he did not have his set of keys with him. He then remembered that when

he was transported to the valley by Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., he had hung hiskey ring on the branch of a tree beside the stream. Abul Muaali states that some time

after this incident, he had the opportunity to go on a business expedition. During this

journey, Abul Muaali reached a valley and rested there. He then noticed, that the valleywas the exact same place where the great Saint had transported him during his lecture.

When he went beside the tree, he found that his missing keys were still hanging on the

branch of the tree. Subhan-Allah! The business trip took fourteen days to complete. This

miracle of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. shows that not only did he transport Abul Muaalispiritually, but also physically.

SHIP PROTECTED FROM STORM: The students of the great Ghawth r.a. state that

once he was delivering his lessons as usual to them when suddenly his blessed faceturned red and beads of perspiration covered his blessed forehead. He then placed his

hand into his cloak and remained silent for a short time. The students state that after he

removed his hand from inside his cloak, drops of water began to drip from his sleeves.Due to his spiritual state, the students say that they did not ask him any questions but

rather, they recorded the date, day and time of this astonishing event. The students say

that two months after this incident, a group of traders, who had come by sea to Baghdad,

arrived and presented various gifts to al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. The students were veryconfused by this as they had never seen these traders in Baghdad before. They asked the

traders the reason for them bringing the gifts. The traders said that two months

previously, whilst they were sailing to Baghdad, their ship was caught in a fierce storm.

When they realised that there was a real danger of sinking, they called out the name ofShaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. . When they called out his name, they found that

from the Unseen a hand lifted their ship to safety. When the students compared this


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narration to the incident in the Madrassa, it was confirmed that it was the same date, day

and time in which the great Saint r.a. had put his hand into his cloak. Suhban-Allah! This

incident shows that although Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. seemed to be placing hishand into his cloak, but in reality, he was stretching his hand into the sea to assist those

who called for his assistance!

DISAPPEARING INTO THE SUN: The wet-nurse of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. states

that when he was a child, she would carry him in her arms but would suddenly find thathe was no longer there. She reports that she noticed that he used to fly into the sky and

hide behind the rays of the sun. Once, when Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was much

older, the wet-nurse s.a.w.s. went to him and asked if he still did as he used to do when hewas a child, in other words, hide behind the sun. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

replied, Then I was a child, and it was a time of weakness, and I used to hide in the rays

of the sun. Now my strength and power is so immense, that if a thousand suns have tocome then they would all be hidden in me rather than me being hidden by them.

PROTECTION FROM ILLNESS: Shaikh Ali bin Idrees Yaqoobi r.a. states that oncehis spiritual guide, Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. took him to al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and

presented him in the court of the great Saint. Shaikh Ali bin Idrees r.a. states: Al-Ghawthal-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was wearing a shawl during this time. He

removed the shawl and placed it over me and said, From now on, you will be protected

from all illnesses. From that day on until now, and I am 65 years old, I have never beenill.

A LION OVERPOWERED: Shaikh Abu Masood bin Abi Bakr Harimi r.a. reports that

there was a very great Saint by the name of Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. He used to travel on

a lion wherever he went. In every city that he visited, it was his habit to ask the people of

the city to send one cow for his lions meal. Once, he went to a certain city and requestedfrom the Saint of that city a cow for his lion. The Saint sent the cow to him and said, If

you ever go to Baghdad, your lion will receive a welcome invitation.

Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. then journeyed to Baghdad Shareef. On arriving in Baghdad, hesent one of his disciples to al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and commanded that a cow be sent to

him, as a meal for his lion. The great Ghawth was already aware of his coming. He had

already arranged for a cow to be kept for the lion. On the command of Shaikh AhmedJaam r.a. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. sent one of his disciples with a cow to him.

As the disciple took the cow with him, a weak and old stray dog which used to sit outside

the home of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. followed the disciple. The disciple

presented the cow to Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. who in turn signalled the lion to commencefeeding. As the lion ran towards the cow, this stray dog pounced on the lion. It caught the

lion by its throat and killed the lion by tearing open its stomach. The dog then dragged

the lion and threw it before al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a.

On seeing this, Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. was very embarrassed. He humbled himself

before the great Ghawth and asked for forgiveness for his arrogant behaviour. This


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incident shows the strength of a dog that only sat outside the stoop of Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

This was due to itsNisbatto the blessed stoop of the great Saint. It also proves that evenanimals recognise and are loyal to the the Awliya Allah. Ala Hadrat, Shaikh Imam

Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri r.a. portrays the above-mentioned incident in one of his poeticstanzas. He says: Kya Dabbe Jis Pe Himayat Ka Ho Panja Tera, Sher Ko Khatre me

Laata, Nahi Kutta Tera

Shaikh ALl BIN HAITIS DREAM: Once al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir

al-Jilani r.a. was delivering a lecture. Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. was seated in front of

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. in this gathering. During the lecture of the greatGhawth, Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. fell asleep. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., who saw

this, descended from the Mimbar and stood in front of the sleeping Shaikh Ali bin Haiti

r.a. with both his hands folded in respect. After a while Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. awoke to

find Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. standing in front of him. He immediately stood up

in respect. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. smiled and said, The reason I am standingin front of him is because he was seeing the Holy Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.s. in his

dream and I was seeing the Prophet, s.a.w.s. with my physical eyes.

MY FOOT IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF ALL THE SAINTS: Once whilst he wasdelivering a lecture, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. entered a spiritual state and said,

My foot is on the shoulders of all theAwliya Allah (Saints). When he uttered these

words there were manyAwliya Allah in his presence. Each one of them immediatelylowered their necks.

Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. who was also present in this gathering, immediately went to

Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and physically placed the foot of the great Ghawth onhis neck. Shaikh Sayyidi Maajid r.a. states: When al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. said thesewords, then every Wali on earth bowed his neck. He also states, There were 300 Awliya

Allah and 700Rijaalul Ghaib (Men of the Unseen) present in that gathering, and every

one of them lowered their necks before him.

Shaikh Makaarim r.a. states: The day on which al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. made thisstatement, every Saint knew that the flag of Kingship was now planted before Shaikh

Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. . On this day, all the Saints from East to West lowered their

necks on his command. Sayyidi Shaikh Khalifatul Akbar r.a. states: I saw the BelovedRasool, s.a.w.s. in my dream and I asked him about the statement of al-Ghawth al-Azam

- My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints. He says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s. )

said, Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. has spoken the truth and why should he not say thiswhen he is the Qutb, and I am his Guardian.

SULTANUL HIND KHWAJA MUEENUDDEEN CHISHTI: When Shaikh Abd al-

Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints, Shaikh Khwaja

Mueenuddeen Chishti Hassani Sanjari Ajmeri r.a. was at this moment in the prime of hisyouth. He was deep in the remembrance of Allah on a mountain in Khurasaan. As soon as


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Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said these words, Khwaja Mueenuddeen Chishti r.a.

heard this and lowered his neck and said, But your blessed foot is on my eyes and on my

head. It was through the blessing of this act of submission that r.a. KhwajaMueenuddeen Chishti r.a. was made the King of the Saints of India and is known as

Sultaanul Hind.

MUFTI-E-AZAM HINDr.a.: Mufti-e-Azam Hind, Maulana Mustapha Raza al-Qaadiri

r.a., the son of Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri r.a., says in one of his Manqabats, which hewrote in praise of the great Ghawth as follows: r.a. Ye Dil Ye Jigar He Ye Aankhe Ye Sar

He- My Heart, My liver, My eyes and My head are all here, Jahaa Chaaho Rakhlo

Qadam Ghawth-e-Azam - O Ghaus! You may keep your blessed foot wherever youdesire. This couplet of Mufti-e-A'zam r.a. shows that even though he was not born when

the great Saint made this statement, but even after coming to this physical world, he

showed his allegiance to al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. by accepting and confirming thecommand of the great Ghawth. This, and his immense love for Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-

Jilani r.a. gained him the exalted status of Ghaus-ul-Waqt meaning The Ghaus of the

Time.

IMAM AHMED BIN HAMBAL: Shaikh Sayyidi Baqaa r.a. states that once heaccompanied Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. to the tomb of Imam Ahmed bin Hambal

r.a. . He says: I saw Shaikh Imam Ahmed bin Hambals r.a. grave split open, and I saw

him emerge from his blessed grave. He embraced al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and then said,Even I am dependent on you in Tariqah.

SHARIAH AND TARIQAH: Once Shaikh Bataaihi r.a. presented himself in the court

of Shaikh Ahmed Kabeer r.a. He states that Shaikh Ahmed Kabeer r.a. said, Do you

know anything about the condition of al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. ? Shaikh Ahmed r.a.

states: On hearing this, I began to praise al-Ghawth al-Azam r.a. and say what I knewconcerning him. I said as much as I knew and then remained silent. Shaikh Ahmed

Kabeer ( r.a. ) then said: On his right is the Sea of Shariah and on his left is the Sea of

Tariqah. From this, he gives whom he desires. In this era, there is none equal to him.

ONE HUNDRED JURISTS HUMBLED: It is well known that the lectures of al-

Ghawth al-Azam r.a. attracted scores of scholars to Baghdad from all over the world.

Once, a hundred Jurists formed a group and each one chose a difficult

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