THE
KING OF SAINTS
AL-GHAWTH
AL-A’ZAM SULTAAN AL-AWLIYA SAYYIDUNA SHAIKH MUHYI’D-DIN
ABD
AL-QAADIR AL-JILANI AL-HASANI AL-HUSAINI R.A.
by Maulana Mohammed Afthab Cassim Razvi
HIS GENEALOGY
HIS FAMILY HISTORY OF HIS BIRTH
RELATING 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 AND CHILDREN HIS ENLIGHTENING LECTURES INCIDENTS
RELATING TO HIS DEMISE GENEALOGY
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 Muhyi’d-Din, al-Ghawth
al-A’zam, Sultan al-Awliya, Ghaus-e-Paak,etc. He was a descendant of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. from both his mother’s (al-Husaini) and
father’s 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. was his mother.
PLACE OF BIRTH: According to authentic narrations, Sayyiduna
al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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-Jilani r.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-A’zam
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir r.a. is known as al-Jilani. Concerning his birth,
al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. personally states the following in his “Qasida-e-Ghausia”:
“I am a citizen of Jeel and my name is Muhyi’d-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-A’zam r.a.
: “He is an exalted King, who is known as al-Ghwath al-A’zam. 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.
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A. SAYYIDATUN NISA FATHIMATU ZAHRA
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B. SAYYIDUNA ALI-E-MURTAZA r.a.
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A1. SHAHEED-E-KARBALA IMAM HUSAIN r.a.
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B1. SAYYIDUNA IMAM HASSAN
A2. SAYYIDUNA IMAM ZAINUL ABEDEEN r.a.
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B2. SAYYID HASSAN MATHNI
A3. IMAM MUHAMMAD BAAQIR r.a.
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B3. SAYYID ABDUL MAHDH
A4. SAYYIDUNA IMAM JAAFAR SAADIQ r.a.
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B4. SAYYID MOOSA AL JAWN
A5. SAYYIDUNA IMAM MOOSA KAAZIM r.a.
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A5. SAYYID ABDULLAH THAANI
A6. SAYYIDUNA SHAIKH ALI RAZA r.a.
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B6. SAYYID MOOSA THAANI
A7. SAYYID ABOO ALA’UDDEEN r.a.
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B7. SAYYID DAWOOD
A8. SAYYID KAMAALUD’DEEN ESA r.a.
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B8. SAYYID MUHAMMAD
A9. SAYYID ABUL ATAA ABDULLAH r.a.
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B9. SAYYID YAHYA AZ ZAAHID
A10. SHAIKH SAYYID MAHMOOD r.a.
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B10. SAYYID ABI ABDILLAI
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A11. SAYYID MUHAMMAD
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B11. SAYYID ABU SAMEH MOOSA (father)
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SAYYID ABOO JAMAAL
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SAYYID ABDULLAH SOOM’EE
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SAYYIDAH UMMUL KHAIR FAATIMA (Mother)
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SAYYIDUNA MUHIYYUD’DEEN ABU MUHAMMAD ABDUL QAADIR JILANI
ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY HISTORY
SAYYIDI ABDULLAH SOOM’EE: He was the maternal grandfather
of al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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. He was amongst the grand Mashaa’ikh
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: “Our Allah 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 Soom’ee r.a. after this incident, he was nowhere to be seen. When
they disciples returned to Jilan, they informed the people there of 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-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. She was a very kind and pious
woman. Her entire life was 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 Du’a. Once, there was a very lengthy drought in
Jilan, 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 the courtyard of her humble
home and began to sweep the dust into one corner. When she was finished
sweeping, she said with great sincerity: “O’Allah! 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 the lenghty 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. : They
were the blessed parents of Al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 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 our hearts, 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 his time in Mujahida
(Striving in the path of Allah).
Once, he was making Ibadah beside 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 the apple, 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 to walk 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
were being 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 Soom’ee r.a. He went to the owner and explained to
him the incident concerning him eating the apple. He then asked Sayyidi
Abdullah Soom’ee r.a. to forgive him for his mishap.
After listening to Sayyiduna Abu Saaleh r.a., Sayyidi Abdullah Soom’ee
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 Soom’ee r.a. agreed to forgive him for 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 Mujahida
there for ten years. Shaikh Abu Saaleh r.a. accepted this condition with
great pleasure.
He served in the orchard for ten years and also made Mujahida.
After ten years had passed, he went to Sayyiduna Abdullah Soom’ee r.a.
to be pardoned. Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee r.a. asked him to serve for another
two years, which he accepted again without complaint. After these two years
had passed, he went back to Sayyiduna Abdullah Soom’ee r.a. and asked to
be pardoned. Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee 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 are crippled,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 the Nikah, 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. He rushed
out of the room and presented himself before Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee r.a.
On seeing him. Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee 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. I said 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 Shari’ah. I said she was blind
because she has never seen a Ghair Mahram and I said that she was
deaf because she has never heard a single word against the Shari’ah.”
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 Soom’ee r.a. was worth more than he could imagine.
It was from these two pious servants of Almighty Allah and devotees of
the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. that al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. was born.
PREDICTIONS OF HIS BIRTH
SHAIKH-UL-MASHAA’IKH, SAYYIDUNA JUNAID AL-BAGHDADI r.a. : He
lived two hundred years before al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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, his disciples 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 Muhyi’d-Din. He will be born in Jilan
and he will reside in Baghdad. One day, on the Command of Allah, he will
say, ‘My foot is on the shoulders of all the Awliya 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 his demise, Imam Hassan Askari r.a. handed over his Jubba(Cloak)
to Sayyiduna Imam Ma’roof Karki r.a. and asked him to pass it over to al-Ghawth
al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. Shaikh Imam Ma’roof Karki
r.a. passed over this cloak to Sayyiduna Junaid 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 HAW’WAAR r.a. : He lived before the time
of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and was amongst the distinguished Mashaa’ikh
of Baghdad. Once, while he was sitting in his majlis, he said, “There are
seven Aqtaab (High-Ranking Awliya) of Iraq:
1. Shaikh Ma’roof 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.
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 mureed of
Shaikh Abu Bakr r.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 by saying: “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.” (Bahjatul Asraar)
SHAIKH KHALEEL BALKHI r.a. : He was a great Wali-Allah
and had passed away before the time of al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. Once while he was 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 SA’EED 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-A’zam Shaikh Abd 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-A’zam
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 2nd of Ramadaan 470 A.H.
The second narration seems to be the one more favoured amongst the learned
scholars. The birth of al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. was a great blessing to the Ummah. It was the arrival of the Sultaanul
Awliya (King of the Awliya), 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 was one
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-A’zam 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 him the 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 the footprint of Rasoolullah, s.a.w.s. on his shoulder.
This alone was the proof of his Wilayah (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
in Jilan. 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. His mother said that he never cried
for milk for the entire day and he would only drink milk at the time of
Iftaar!
HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD
DEMISE OF HIS FATHER: After the demise of his father, his grandfather,
Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee, 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-A’zam 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 ever intended 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. As time 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-A’zam Shaikh
Abd 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 event occurred. 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 been blessed with Wilayah”.
DEMISE OF SAYYIDI ABDULLAH SOOM’EE r.a. : Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. was still a student at the Madrassa in Baghdad when his
grandfather, Shaikh Abdullah Soom’ee 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 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 not been 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 seek more spiritual knowledge. His mother, who was now 78 years
old, acceded to this noble request without a second thought.
HIS MOTHER’S 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 servant of 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 knowledge
and 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 Faatima r.a. knew of the dangers but still supported
her son’s. She wished him well with her Du’as. 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 Du’as 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 Du’a
for him. On bidding him farewell, she gave him the following 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.”
The young Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, “My dear mother! I
promise from my heart 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 to Baghdad
began.
ADHERENCE TO HIS MOTHER’S 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-A’zam 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 called Ahmad 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-A’zam r.a. was standing very calmly
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 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 that he was lying.
After some time, another robber asked him the same question and he received
the same answer. He too dismissed the reply of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.
as a joke. When the bandits gathered together, then both these bandits
began to joke about the young boy who said 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 young
Shaikh 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 this journey, 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 your promise 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-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and
repented for his sins. When his accomplices 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 they were blessed with Wilayah, through the
Sadqa
of
al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 my hands.”
Shaikh ABD AL-QAADIR AL-JILANI ENTERS BAGHDAD: The city of Baghdad
was blessed with the presence al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 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-Qaadir al-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.
heard this, he immediately made the Shukr of Almighty Allah. He
then returned to the Arcade of Chosroes where he presented most of the
gold to the Awliya 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-A’zam 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-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. enrolled for academic studies at the famous Jamia Nizamia,
which was the centre of learning 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 Ali Tabrezi, Abu Saeed bin Abdul Kareem, Abul Anaa’im Muhammad bin
Ali bin Muhammad, Abu Sa’eed bin Mubaarak Makhzoomi, and Abul Khair Hamaad
bin Muslim Al Dabbas r.a. He attained the knowledge of Qirah, Tafseer,
Hadith, Fiqh, Shari’ah and Tareeqah from the above-mentioned
Ulama.
He also excelled in all these subjects. In the field of Adab,
his teacher was Allama Abu Zakariyah Tabrezi r.a. who was a great Aalim
of
his time. He was also the author of various Kitaabs such as “Tafseerul
Quraan Wal E’raab”, “Sharah Qasaa’idul Ashr”a“Sharah Diwaan Abi
Tamaam”. In the field of Fiqh and Usool-e-Fiqh, his teachers
were: Shaikh Abul Wafa bin Aqeel Hambali, Abul Hassan Muhammad bin Qaazi
Abul Ulaa and Shaikh Abul Khataab Mahfooz Hambali, and Qaazi Abu Sa’eed
Mubaarak bin Ali Makhzoomi Hambali r.a.
In the field of Hadith, he attained knowledge from the following
Ulama:
Sayyidi Abul Barkaat Talhaa Al Aaqooli, Abul Ana’im Muhammad bin Ali bin
Maimoon Al Farsi, Abu Uthmaan Ismaeel bin Muhammad Al Isbihaani, Abu Ghaalib
Muhammad bin Hassan Al Baaqilaani, Abu Muhammad Jaafar bin Ahmad binil
Husaini, Sayyidi Muhammad Mukhtaar Al Haashmi, Sayyidi Abu Mansoor Abdur
Rahmaan Al Qaz’zaaz, Abul Qaasim Ali bin Ahmad Ban’naan Al Karghi After
intense studies, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.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 life of 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 takraar of this Ayah 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 the Zikr
of
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 nights of 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 to gain 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 so desperate that people became dependant on every grain that they
could find. When there was no more grain, people began to eat plants and
leaves from trees. During this time, al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 appropriate
to 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 made him 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
he saw 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.”
When this continued happening, al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. turned to his
nafs and said, “Do not be impatient. Have trust and faith in Almighty Allah.”
After saying these words he did not feel this way anymore. After a little
while, this person came to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. uninvited
and offered him some food. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. kindly declined,
but the person insisted. Upon such insistence, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. joined him in his meal.
Whilst eating, the person asked al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. about himself.
He explained to him that he was from Jilan and that he was in Baghdad to
attain knowledge. The person then said that he was also from Jilan and
asked if he knew the person of the name of Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. answered by saying, ‘My name is Abd
al-Qaadir al-Jilani.”
When the man heard this, with tears in his eyes, he stood before Shaikh
Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and said, “Please forgive me for I have misused
that which was given to me in trust.” Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.
asked the stranger to explain what he meant. The stranger then said: “When
I was leaving Jilan, I met an old woman, who gave me eight Dirhams in trust
that I should give it to her son, Abd al-Qaadir, who is studying in Baghdad.
O Abd al-Qaadir! The food that I was eating was from the eight Dirhams
that your mother had given for you. I had been searching for you but could
not find you and due to this, my stay in Baghdad was extended. This caused
my money to run out and out of extreme hunger, I used some of your money
to purchase this food that we ate. O Abd al-Qaadir! It is not I that fed
you, but it is you that fed me. Please forgive me for abusing that which
was given to me in trust (Amaanah).”
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., with great gentleness and affection,
held the stranger to his heart and praised him for his honesty and his
sincerity. He then gave the remainder of the food and a portion of the
eight Dirhams to the stranger and bid him farewell.
This incident indicates in clear terms that Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. was concerned more with the needs of others than those of his own.
Notwithstanding his dire need in the circumstances, he remained sensitive
to the plight of this stranger. This act of selflessness alone is a lesson
in the behaviour that one should adopt.
A LION OF ALLAH: Shaikh Abdullah Salmi r.a. states that he heard
the following astonishing incident from Al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. The Great Ghawth said: “Once during my studies in Baghdad,
I had nothing to eat for many days. One day, in this condition, I was on
my way to a small street called ‘Qat’eeya Sharfiya’. Here, there was a
Musjid, which used to be empty. I used to sit there by myself and revise
my lessons for the next day. On my way to Mohalla Qat’eeya, I met a stranger
who gave me a piece of paper and asked me to take it to a certain shop.
Very surprised, I did as he asked. When I got to the shop, I gave the piece
of paper to the owner, who in turn kept this piece of paper and gave me
roti (bread) and halwa (sweets). I took this roti and halwa and went into
the Musjid where I used to revise my lessons. I sat down for a while and
decided to eat a piece of bread and some halwa when I saw a piece of paper
beside the wall.
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 gain strength for Ibadah.
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 without eating.”
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 grain from 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-A’zam r.a. heard that a pious servant
of Allah, by the name of 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-Ghawth al-A’zam 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
servants of 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 in the 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-A’zam r.a. heard this, he replied that he could not
take anything on credit, 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 of bread) 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 words of Al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. He repled: “Take anything
that you wish to take from my shop and whenever you wish to do so.”
From that day onwards, he used to take one and a half rotis (bread)
daily. The days passed by rapidly and Al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 called to 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 shopkeeper thus paying off his credit.
ATTAINMENT OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
After the completion of his academic studies, Al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.
did not cease in his quest for in-depth spiritual knowledge. To quench
this spiritual thirst, Almighty Allah presented him with the opportunity
of coming under the guidance of Shaikh Ham’maad bin Muslim Ad Dab’baas
r.a. He was amongst the superior Mashaa’ikh of Baghdad Shareef.
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. states that there came a time in
Baghdad when there was an abundance of fitna (fighting) and fasaad
(trouble). Since he did not want any part of this, he decided to leave
Baghdad Shareef for a more peaceful environment. Al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.
says: “I made my intention to leave Baghdad due to the unsuitable conditions
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.’ On hearing 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 your Deen (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 great
Jalaal,
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 a Wali. If he wasn’t
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 Ham’maad bin Muslim Ad’
Dab’baas r.a.
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. gained deep spiritual knowledge
from Shaikh Ham’maad 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 525 A.H. His Mazaar is in the
Shawneezia Cemetery in Baghdad Shareef.
Apart from Sayyidi Ham’maad r.a., al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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-A’zam r.a. completed his academic
and spiritual studies. Thereafter he engaged in Mujahida 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 just by 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 His Rasool
(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 spiritual condition 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
of
Esha
and for 15 years I used to stand on one foot until Fajr
and complete
(recitation of) the entire Quran.
During this time, I sometimes spent between three and 40 days without
eating even a morsel”. Shaikh Abul Mas’ood bin Abu Bakr Hareemi r.a. reports
that al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. once said to him. “Year after year, I spent
struggling with my nafs by putting myself 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 not sleep 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 become unconscious. People would pick me up and take
me to the Haakim. He would certify me dead. Thinking that I was
dead, they would prepare for my Ghusal and kaffan. When they
used to place me on the bathing board to give me Ghusl, I used to
awake from this spiritual condition and walk away.”
Once al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. stated:
“During the early stages of my Mujaahida 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 to Baghdad, I entered into such
a spiritual condition, which caused me to be totally unaware 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 Abd al-Qaadir. You should not be astonished when
something like this happens to you.’”
MEETING WITH HADRAT KHIDR a.s.
Sayyiduna al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 person who 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 be obedient 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-A’zam 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-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. still seated at the
prescribed spot. He spent a few moments with al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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. He returned 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! What
did you eat for the three years while sitting in one spot?” He replied,
“Whatever the people had thrown away.”
HIS FIRST HAJJ: Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. performed
his first Hajj in the prime of his youth. It is recorded in the distinguished
book “Azkaarul Abraar” that al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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
on my 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 have made me tired searching for you. I was
in Abyssinia when I was spiritually informed that Almighty Allah has filled
your heart with His Noor (Light) and has blessed you with such excellence
that no other Wali Allah has ever received. After I was informed
of this, I left in search of you. Now that I have seen you, my heart desires
that I should travel with you today and make Iftaar with 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 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 continued
our journey till we reached Makkatul Mukarramah.
Once, while making Tawaaf in the Haram, the Noor of
Allah descended on Adi bin Musaafir 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 woman beside 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 Whose Noor, none is equal.
The world would have not come into existence and cannot exist without His
Command. All this 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 Tawaaf Almighty Allah sent his blessed
rays of light on me and I heard a voice 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 join your 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 the Awliya
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-A’zam r.a., he would hear a voice saying, “O Abd al-Qaadir! Stand firm
and challenge 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 in Jalaal,
“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 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 and hit 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 a sword 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:
“Once again 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
and he 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 one of them”.
HIS STEADFASTNESS ON SHARI’AH: 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 firm mountain when it came to speaking against
that which was incorrect. He always said that even until Qiyamah, none
can change the Shari’ah. Any person who goes against the command of the
Shari’ah 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, as this 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! I am your Creator. I have made everything Halaal for
you.’ He said that when he heard this, he read the Ta’ooz and 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-Ghawth
al-A’zam 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 is Haraam, Halaal upon me because Allah does
not command wrong.”
FIRMNESS ON HIS WORD: After this incident with Shaitaan, Al-Ghawth
al-A’zam r.a. continued his striving in the path of Allah with even more
faith and piety. He would sit in an old tower on the outskirts of Baghdad
where he would make Ibadah and engross himself in the Zikr of Almighty
Allah. Once while seated here, he entered into a deep spiritual condition
in which the following incident took place. Al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh 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 somebody puts 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 the Zikr
of
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 the nafs, 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 found him 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.
BAI’AT (SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE): Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. gained his spiritual training in Baghdad from two of the greatest
Mystics of their time - Shaikh Sayyidi Abul Khair Ham’maad bin Muslim Ad
Dabbaas r.a. and Shaikh Qaazi Abu Saeed Mubaarak Al Makhzoomi r.a. Although
he had gained many blessings from both these personalities, 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 his disciple (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 the Shaikh, 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 time will humble themselves
before him”.
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 every morsel of food that my Shaikh-e-Tareeqat
put
into my mouth, my heart began to fill with the light of Marifah.”
Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzoomi r.a. then dressed Al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.
in the Garb of Sainthood (Khirqa) and said: “This Khirqa was given
to Sayyiduna Ali-e-Murtaza r.a. by Sarkaar-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 of Noor could be seen descending upon him.
The Khirqa (Saintly Garb) that was bestowed upon the great Saint
had been handed down from generation to generation. A tree depicting how
the Khirqa Mubarak reached 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 TA’EE r.a.
-
Shaikh MA’ROOF 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 the Crusades
had begun, where the entire Christian world was bent on destroying the
Muslim Empire. The passage of time during which al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.
had completed his studies and undertaken twenty-five years of spiritual
exercises, had resulted in the condition 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 a time when there was a dire need
for a Reformer of the ways of the people and a Reviver of the true Faith.
This Reformer and Reviver was none other that Imam-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 into the center of learning and spiritualism. The
enlightened event that led to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani’s r.a. first
lecture to the people of Baghdad is detailed below:
ZIYARAH OF SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH s.a.w.s.: On the
16th of Shawaal 461 A.H. Hijri, close to midday,
the King of the Awliya, al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. saw in his dream the King of the Ambiya and Rasool,
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 his Zohr Salaah
and
sat down to deliver his first lecture to the people of Baghdad. At once,
people began to gather around him. When he saw this, he paused. Just then
he entered a spiritual condition in which he saw Sher-e-Khuda Sayyiduna
Ali
al-Murtadha
(Kar’amallahu
ta’aala 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-A’zam r.a. then asked. Why did you
not place your blessed saliva seven times into my mouth?” Sayyiduna Ali
r.a. answered, “Out of respect for 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 fluent Arabic that authorities
of the Arabic language seated in his lecture where astounded by his lecture.
Thus, commenced Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani’s r.a. reformation of the
people of Baghdad.
HIS REFORMATION PROGRESSES: Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. usually delivered 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 people to sit out on the
streets to listen to his lectures and advice. In 568 A.H. a few houses
around the Madrassah were purchased and incorporated to make the
Madrassah bigger. After some time, even this proved to be too small.
The Mimbar of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir 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 Shareef the 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 Rasool s.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 and they would willingly accept Islam.
In addition to the ordinary members of the public, Rijaal-ul-Ghaib
and Jinns also frequented his blessed gatherings. Akaabireen
and Mashaa’ikh also frequented his gatherings. It was a training
school for the young, a place to 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 his Majlis
was
that each and every person sitting there heard him alike, even though in
those times, there was no means of voice amplification, such as microphones
and the like. Al-Ghawth al-A’zam’s r.a. close student, Sayyidi Abdullah
Jabaa’ee r.a., states that during this era of his lectures, more than 100,000
sinners repented at the blessed hands of al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 Baghdad repented from their wrongs at the hands of the great
Saint and also became his disciples. Once, thirteen Christians accepted
Islam in the Majlis of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.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 this Deen 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, they heard 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, they travelled 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 of Yemen 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 of a person who is the most pious amongst people. After making
this vow, one night, I 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-A’zam’s r.a. lectures were inspiring to all who frequented
his Majlis. His words were kind but firm. He was not swayed by the
power or status of anyone. If they were wrong, he did not hesitate to correct
them in his Majlis or anywhere else. He feared none but Allah and
made those who were in his Majlis aware of this. Once, one of the
close ministers of the Khalifa Azeezud’deen came to the Majlis of Shaikh
Abd al-Qaadir al-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 Azeezud’deen
directly and said, “Stand up! Keep your hand on my hand so that you may
distance yourself from this mundane world and run towards your Creator.”
HIS KARAMAH (MIRACLES)
THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR PRESENTING THEMSELVES TO AL-GHAWTH AL-A’ZAM:
Hadrat Shaikh Abul Qaasim r.a. states that once Shaikh Abu Bakr, Shaikh
Abul 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-A’zam r.a. It was a Friday, the 30th
of Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 560 A.H. During this time, 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 of Rajab, 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 this month.” Shaikh Qaasim r.a.
states that on another occasion, a youth again came to the Darbaar of
al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 and Khurasaan and he states
that during that time a disease spread in Iraq killing scores of people.
HIS SIGHT ON LAUH-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 on Lauh-e-Mahfooz. Time and again, I immerse
myself in the 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.’”
HIS POWER OVER JINNS: 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 Azja’ee r.a. came to Shaikh Abd 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 he comforted 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. then told him that he should draw a
circle around him saying “Bismillah”and that he should then say
“Abdul Qaadir”.
The great Saint then said: “Towards the third portion of the night,
you will find an army of Jinns passing 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 the Jinns will pass that way and he will personally come to you
and ask your 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 daughter’s disappearance.”
Shaikh Muhammad Baghdadi r.a. states: “I did as al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 of Jinns 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 sent the Jinns to summon back a Jinn
who
had captured my daughter. My daughter was brought back and the mischievous
Jinn
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 out of 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-A’zam r.a. saw
him, he placed his blessed hands on the thief’s eyes. The thief’s eyesight
was 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 his blessed sight on
the thief once and elevated him to the status of Wilayat (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 the Abdaal that had
passed away. Subhan-Allah!
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 Mu’aali was present in this gathering.
He was seated directly in front of the great Saint. During the course of
the lecture, Abul Mu’aali 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-A’zam r.a. He controlled 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 second stair, Abul Mu’aali 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 Mu’aali 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, which flowed through it. He immediately answered
the call of nature, performed Wudhu and then prayed two Rakaats
Salaah. As he completed the Salaah, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. pulled the shawl off him. When Abul Mu’aali looked, he found to his
amazement 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 Mu’aali 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 his key ring on the
branch of a tree beside the stream. Abul Mu’aali states that some time
after this incident, he had the opportunity to go on a business expedition.
During this journey, Abul Mu’aali reached a valley and rested there. He
then noticed, that the valley was 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-A’zam r.a. shows that not only did he transport
Abul Mu’aali spiritually, 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 face turned 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-A’zam
r.a. The students were very confused 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 of “Shaikh 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 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 his hand 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-A’zam
r.a. states that when he was a child, she would carry him in her arms but
would suddenly find that he 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 he
was 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 to come 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 once his spiritual guide, Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. took him to al-Ghawth
al-A’zam r.a. and presented him in the court of the great Saint. Shaikh
Ali bin Idrees r.a. states: “Al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 been ill.”
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 lion’s meal. Once, he went to a certain city and requested from
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, he sent one of his disciples to al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 Ahmed Jaam 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 commence feeding. 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-A’zam 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 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 its Nisbat to the blessed stoop of the great
Saint. It also proves that even animals recognise and are loyal to the
the Awliya Allah. A’la Hadrat, Shaikh Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri r.a. portrays
the above-mentioned incident in one of his poetic stanzas. He says: “Kya
Dab’be Jis Pe Himayat Ka Ho Panja Tera, Sher Ko Khatre me Laata, Nahi Kut’ta
Tera”
Shaikh ALl BIN HAITI’S DREAM: Once al-Ghawth al-A’zam 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 great Ghawth, 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 standing in 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
was delivering a lecture, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. entered a
spiritual state and said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Awliya
Allah (Saints).” When he uttered these words there were many Awliya
Allah in his presence. Each one of them immediately lowered 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 on his neck. Shaikh Sayyidi Maajid r.a. states: “When
al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. said these words, then every Wali on earth
bowed his neck.” He also states, “There were 300 Awliya Allah and 700 Rijaalul
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-A’zam r.a.
made this statement, 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 Beloved Rasool, s.a.w.s. in my
dream and I asked him about the statement of al-Ghawth al-A’zam - ‘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 this when he is the Qutb, and I am his Guardian”.
SULTANUL HIND KHWAJA MUEENUD’DEEN CHISHTI:
When Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints”, Shaikh
Khwaja Mueenud’deen Chishti Hassani Sanjari Ajmeri r.a. was at this moment
in the prime of his youth. He was deep in the remembrance of Allah on a
mountain in Khurasaan. As soon as Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said
these words, Khwaja Mueenud’deen 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. Khwaja Mueenud’deen
Chishti r.a. was made the King of the Saints of India and is known as “Sultaanul
Hind”.
MUFTI-E-A’ZAM HINDr.a.: Mufti-e-A’zam 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 he wrote 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-A’zam”
- O Ghaus! You may keep your blessed foot wherever you desire. 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-A’zam r.a. by accepting and confirming
the command 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 he accompanied 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 Hambal’s
r.a. grave split open, and I saw him emerge from his blessed grave. He
embraced al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and then said, ‘Even I am dependent on
you in Tariqah’”.
SHAR’IAH AND TARIQAH: Once Shaikh Bataa’ihi 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-A’zam r.a. ?” Shaikh Ahmed r.a. states: “On hearing this, I began to
praise al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and say what I knew concerning 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 Shari’ah 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-A’zam 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 question. They all decided to present themselves in the
gathering of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and each would ask his
question during the lecture in an attempt to cause Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. to be confused. The one hundred Jurists chose what they
thought to be the most difficult question and travelled to Baghdad. They
sat in the gathering of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. waiting for
the appropriate time to ask their questions. It was during this gathering
that a bright ray of light emerged from the blessed chest of al-Ghawth
al-A'zam r.a. and travelled into the heart of each of the one hundred Jurists.
This light could only be seen by them and to those whom Almighty Allah
desired to see. As this light entered their hearts, each one of them entered
a state of spiritual ecstasy. Each one of them fell at the feet of al-Ghawth
al-A'zam r.a. and repented from their improper intentions. The great Saint,
with great compassion, embraced each one of them, filling their hearts
with Noor, and at the same time answering every one of their questions,
even though they had not asked.
HIS WIVES AND CHILDREN
HIS MARRIAGE AND WIVES: Once someone asked Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. why he had made Nikah in his unique and elevated
spiritual condition. The great Ghawth r.a. replied: “I would not have married
but my beloved forefather, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.s. has commanded me to marry.
It is on this basis that I have made Nikah. I was, in reality, afraid
of making Nikah, for this reason that my time may be lost in other
things rather than in the love of my Creator, but when the time came, then
My Creator blessed me with four wives, and each one of them loved me dearly.”
Due to his true and pure intention of Nikah, he never found any time lost
from his Ibadah and from his services to the Deen even after marriage.
All his wives were blessed with piety and deep knowledge. Shaikh Sayyidi
Abdul Jabbar r.a., one of the sons of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.,
states concerning his mother, “When my mother would enter a dark place,
it would immediately become bright. Once my father Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir
al-Jilani r.a. entered one such place where my mother was, and on his entrance,
the light caused by her presence disappeared. On seeing this, my blessed
father said, ‘This light is not enough. It has disappeared in my light.
Let me make it more powerful’. From this day onwards, when my
mother entered a dark place, then her light was like that of the full moon.”
HIS CHILDREN: Shaikh Sayyidi Abdur Razzaq r.a. [a son of]
Ghawth al-A'zam r.a. states: “My father had forty-nine children in all,
of which twenty-seven were boys and twenty-two were girls.”
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO A FEW OF HIS CHILDREN
SAYYIDI Shaikh ABDUL WAHAB: Sayyidi Shaikh Abdul Wahab r.a. was
the eldest son of al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.
He was born in the month of Shabaan in the year 523 A.H. in the city of
Baghdad. He passed away in the month of Shabaan 593 A.H. and is buried
in Baghdad. He attained proficiency in the fields of Hadith, Fiqh, etc.
at his father’s feet. He also travelled abroad to study ancient medicine.
At the age of twenty, he taught Islam under the watchful eye of his father.
After the demise of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. he continued lecturing
and issuing Fatawa (Religious Decrees). Many people from far and wide gained
benefit from his lectures and teachings. From all his brothers, he was
the most pious and most learned. Indeed, he was the true successor of the
great Ghawth. He wrote various books, including the subject of Tassawuf.
He was also a very great and renowned Jurist of his time. Amongst the books
written by him are also, “Jawaahirul Asraar” and “Lataa’iful
Anwaar”.
SAYYIDI Shaikh EESA: He was also a very blessed and pious person.
He attained all his education at the feet of his blessed father. He was
a Master of Hadith and Fiqh and was well-versed in the field
of Islamic Jurisprudence. He was also a great writer. He wrote many religious
and mystical poems in the love of Allah and His Rasool , s.a.w.s.
.
SAYYIDI SHAIKH ABDUR RAZZAQ: Shaikh Sayyidi Abdur Razzaq r.a.
was born on the 18th of Zil Qaadah 528 A.H. He also attained
his education at the feet of his blessed father. Besides his proficiency
in Hadith and Fiqh he was also a dynamic debater. He was a Haafizul Hadith
and a very wise Jurist. His kindness, generosity and humility were well
known to the people of Baghdad. He used to stay away from the people to
the best of his ability, as he preferred silent meditation in the Court
of Allah. He, however, dearly loved those students who were in search of
knowledge of the Deen. He passed away on a Saturday, the 7th
of Shawaal 613 A.H. in the city of Baghdad. The crowd that arrived at the
Janazah of Sayyidi Abdur Razzaq r.a. when it was announced was so vast
that there was no place in the city. The Janazah had to be performed outside
the city so that all the people could join in the prayer. It was performed
at various places for the benefit of the thousands of people attending.
Shaikh SAYYIDI Shaikh ABU BAKR: He was born on the 28th
of Shawaal 536 A.H. and passed away on the 28th of Rabi-ul-Awwal
603
A.H. He was a great worshipper and a well-known Mystic. Many great and
learned Ulama are amongst his distinguished students and disciples. He
moved to a place called Jibaal in 570 A.H. and his descendants are present
there even up to this day.
Shaikh SAYYIDI YAHYA: Shaikh Sayyidi Abdul Wahab r.a. states:
“Once al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. had taken
very ill and we were all very worried that it was the time for him to leave
this world. It was then that he said, ‘Do not fear. I am not going to pass
away now. I will be fine. I still have Yahya in my spine. His birth is
necessary.’ We thought that due to his intense illness he is saying things
that may not be making sense so we did not take heed to his words. After
some time, he recovered from his illness, and our brother Yahya was born.”
Sayyidi Yahya r.a. was born in 550 A.H. and passed away in the year 600
A.H. He is buried beside his brother, Shaikh Abdul Wahab r.a. in the Musaafir
Khana (Guest-house) of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.
HIS ENLIGHTENING LECTURES
Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. delivered thousands of lectures
in his lifetime on various topics. His gatherings were frequented by thousands
of ordinary people, learned scholars and great Saints. It has been stated
in authentic sources that during his lectures there would be approximately
four hundred scribes who recorded his lectures in writing. Two such lectures,
which were then recorded are being presented below for your perusal.
FIRST LECTURE - FRIDAY 15TH SHAWAAL 545
A.H.:
The hearts of the Awliya Allah are pure and clean. They are
those who have divorced themselves from the creation and are drowned in
the love of the Creator. They have divorced the world and are preparing
for the Hereafter. You are not able to recognise them because of your being
lost in this world. There is a vast distance between them and you. If any
Believer (Mo’min) gives you advice, then do not act contrary to this after
listening to him, for he sees in you those things which you cannot see
in yourself. The Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. has stated that, “A Muslim is a
mirror unto another Maslim.”
A true believer always advises his fellow Muslim brother from his heart.
He openly tells him of his weaknesses and shortages that he possesses.
Pure is Allah, Who has placed even my heart the feeling to advise my fellow
Muslims. Now it is this, which is my favourite action, that I should advise
you and tell you that which is the truth, and explain to you that which
I understand to be proper. In return for this, I do not desire any worldly
reward or anything in the Hereafter. All I desire is the pleasure of my
Beloved and it is this, which is my sincere prayer. Yes, I am very pleased
when my people gain success and prosperity, and the degeneration of my
people feels like many arrows struck [up]on my heart. When any of my sincere
disciples gains success and prosperity, then my heart becomes so pleased
that I bow my heart and my head in the Court of my Creator. O Servants!
I think of your rectification as my aim. I do not wish this for my personal
gain, for this stage I have conquered. I want to hold your hands and guide
you to the true way, so ask my help and my assistance in this way so that
you may gain success and fulfilment. I can adorn you in the Court of Allah
and not in the sight of the people, but what I want is to show you what
you really are. What is your condition? Is it like one drop of water on
one clot that is lifeless, or like a corpse that is left for the vultures
and other animals to feed on, full of worms?
You should know that he who teaches you to be obedient and a slave of
the Kings of the this world, and gives you the greed of wealth, gold and
silver, which you think of to be more valuable than your true wealth (faith),
is actually leading you astray. This is none other than Shaitaan.
Remember! The return for this greed is nothing else but disgrace and
embarrassment. The Beloved Rasool s.a.w.s. has stated: “That
person is more worthy of Allah’s Wrath who wishes for more sustenance than
he needs (out of greed).” If you think that the people of the
world can give you so much, that it will engulf everything, then you have
not understood the reality of the Gardens of Taqeer. This is the
whispering of Shaitaan in your heart. You are in reality not the servants
of Allah, but you are the servants of your desires and the helpers of Shaitaan.
Divorce the love for money and valuables and try to free yourself from
this prison of the world. If you wish to be freed from this, then you shall
need the guidance of someone. You must thus seek guidance. Remember that
by searching for such guidance with your physical eyes, is like groping
for something in the dark. This will only be found by searching with the
eyes of the heart and one’s spiritual sight. If you wish to search for
this, then the condition is Imaan (faith). If one does not possess Imaan,
then one will never gain spiritual sight. Almighty Allah says, “The absence
of Imaan does not blind the physical eye, but this blinds the eyes of the
heart, which is in the chest.” An example of striving in greed for the
world is like a person who gives gold in return for grass. In such an exchange,
the grass will soon burn and stop existing, whereas the gold, which you
had, has been lost forever.
If your Imaan is weak, then definitely you will strive for the
world. Rather, you try to strengthen your faith so that you may reach true
elevation and true trust in Allah. When your Imaan will become strong,
then you will find that your trust in Allah will be strengthened, and you
will find that your requirements will be fulfilled even without your knowing.
Once you start distancing yourself from the company of people, you will
find that you will reach a level where you are prepared and willing to
give your life in the hand of the Angel of Death (not afraid of death).
Your mind should now think of this and the fact concerning where these
waves of the Sea of True Life would be taking you.
Now the worries and the materialistic pleasures will not affect and
interfere with your soul at all. The Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. has stated,
“Divorce yourself from the thoughts of this materialistic world to the
best of your ability.” O Servants! Try to free yourself from the chains
of this world. Tie your heart with the firm rope of the Mercy (of Allah),
which will steadily draw the ship of your heart into the true shores of
the Sea of Love. Allah has power over everything. He is All-Knowing. Everything
is in His Control. When asking from Him, first ask for the purification
of your heart. Ask for Imaan and Ma’rifat. Ask for Knowledge.
Ask for the heart to be content. Ask for light in your hearts. Ask for
His Love and Compassion. Ask all this from Him.
If you attain this, then you have gained everything. Do not stretch
out your hands to others. Your true aims are with Him alone. There is no
use in begging before the proud and arrogant people of the world. O servants!
If you have only recited the Kalimah Shahaadat with your tongue,
and your heart has not shown any action of this in your practices, then
you have not even taken one step towards your Creator.
The reality of the journey (towards Allah) depends on the (spiritual)
speed and power of the heart. Closeness in reality is closeness of the
soul. Good deeds in reality are those in which there is the soul. In other
words, sincerity. These actions (good deeds) cannot be performed unless
one remains within the boundaries of the Shari’ah and within the
protection of the Shari’ah. This cannot be attained without the
service of the true and pious servants of Allah. This should be your yardstick.
If one uses his personality as a yardstick, then he shall never be successful.
Any action or deed that is done to show one’s piety, [it] is not truly
a good deed. True deeds are done in secrecy. One only performs his Faraa’id
(obligatory
actions) in the open, as this is the only way for it. One’s actions depend
on Tauheed and sincerity. If this is not there, then one’s actions
are like a building without a solid foundation. It will soon crumble and
fall to the ground. First build and strengthen this foundation, then it
will be worth constructing a huge building.
If Allah Wills, then such a building will never crumble or be destroyed,
for the strength of this building will be in its foundation. It is through
accepting the Oneness of Allah that your deeds will shine in the skies
of spiritualism like a full moon and will give off light like that of the
Sun.
SECOND LECTURE - ON THE EVENING OF TUESDAY 19TH
OF SHAWWAL 545 A.H.:
The outer appearance of a person who is boastful (of his deeds) may
look good, but his heart is impure. He stays away from even that which
is permitted, abstains even from that which is Halaal and makes
the Religion a means for his financial success. His reality is hidden from
the eyes of the general public, but there are those who know and are aware
of his reality.
All his acts of piety are a mere pretence. His inner self is contaminated
and impure. It is sad if you do not understand that the obedience of Allah
is from the heart and not through one’s physical self. All the actions
that are good are in reality connected to the depths of the heart. Let
the true actions retrieve from you this false garb of pretence and dress
you in the true garb.
Remove this garb of fraud and deceit. Remove this garb of hypocrisy
and show. Remove the garb of your desire, hypocrisy and boastfulness. Let
such false garbs be removed and mixed in the dust so that you may be dressed
in the true garb of love and true respect. This is the Dress of Jannat,
which is a gift from your Creator.
In other words, remove this garb of the world and put on the garb of
the Hereafter. Stop doing good to please the people, so that they may praise
you and you may become arrogant. Leave this and come into the Court of
Allah, and you will be blessed by Him. If you do so, then His Infinite
Mercy will take you into itself. Leave even your self and come into the
Court of Allah. Become His and He will become yours.
This will allow you to gain a place of rest in the Shade of His infinite
Mercy. It is He who has the cure for your every illness. It is He that
has the comfort for your pains and sorrows. You should break yourself for
Him, and He will put together everything for you. Distance yourself from
all others, and He will become close to you.
Now, which bounty can you ask for. Which is better than this, that He
becomes close to you, comforts you in pain and sorrow, cures your illnesses
and gives you all that you need? Once you give yourself to Him, then even
if all the people of the world get together, they will never be able to
harm you. If He makes you His friend, then He will assist you in all your
battles on this earth. One who uses the Oneness of Allah to bring love
in people, brings life to piety and destroys the wrongs of the world. One
who lights in his heart the flame of the love of Allah and puts off all
other flames, then it is he who has reached the peak of success.
Such a person has attained his final goal and has gained salvation.
He has understood the secrets of gaining the true benefits of the world
and it is thus important that you die before your death. In other words,
kill your Nafs (desires), kill your carnal desires, kill your Cursed
Shaitaan.
This is a unique type of death. The death that we all know is for all,
but this is for a few who understand. O People! Take heed to my words,
for I am inviting you to the way of Allah. I am inviting you towards His
obedience. I am not calling you towards my desires. Hypocrites are not
called towards Allah, but towards their Nafs. They are those who
are beggars of the world.
O Ignorant People! You become upset with the advice of the pious servants,
for you do not wish to seclude yourself in the Love of your Creator. You
wish to be in Temples (idol-houses) so that you may be free from all rules,
which govern you. This is the means of your destruction. It is my heartfelt
advice that you should keep the company of the pious. Walk on the path
of the pious. Remove the noose of evil from your necks. Hold firm to the
Daaman
of
your Murshid-e-Kaamil (Peer). By doing this, you will reach elevation,
and yes, you will be a means of brightening the hearts of those who connect
to you, thus removing the darkness from their hearts. If one only says
words of piety and fear with his tongue and his life is filled with sin,
then such a person is a Muslim from the outside, but a Kaafir from within.
From the outside, he is a Muwahid (one who believes in One Allah) and from
within, he is a Polytheist (Mushrik). A true believer commences by rectifying
and preparing his inner self. Like an intelligent builder, who first constructs
a house, and then puts in a beautiful door (not trying to put a beautiful
door without a house).
HIS BOOKS AND TREATIES
Al-Ghawth al-A'zam r.a. was also the author of various books on many
subjects. His books flow with seas of knowledge, wisdom and mysticism.
Two of his most famous books are “Ghuniyatut Taalibeen” and “Futuhul Ghaib”.
With the exception of these, various great scholars that presented themselves
in his gatherings recorded many of his lectures in writing. Many of these
transcripts are still preserved in their original form up to this day,
in various parts of the world.
INCIDENTS RELATING TO HIS DEMISE
ADVICE TO HIS CHILDREN: Just before al-Ghawth al-A’zam’s r.a.
demise, his son, Shaikh Saifud’deen Abdul Wahab r.a., requested his father
for advice. On his request, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, “Fear
Almighty Allah. Fear none but Allah. Always turn towards Him. Ask all your
wishes from Allah. Do not turn to any besides Allah. Do not have faith
in any but in Allah. Remain firm on Tauheed (belief in One Allah). There
is no salvation without Tauheed. When the heart becomes linked with Allah
then nothing else seems to look good to him. I have reached the level of
True Love. It is a domain where worldly love has no place”.
PRESENCE OF OTHER BEINGS: Just before his demise, he turned to
the rest of his sons and said, “Move away from me. Right now, you seem
to be before me, but in reality you are not the only ones here. With the
exception of your selves, there are other creations of Allah here as well.
Give enough space for them. Show respect to them. Give way. This is now
a place of exalted pardon and forgiveness. Do not crowd this place.” After
saying these words, he would continue saying, “And may there be peace,
blessings and Allah’s Mercy upon you. May Allah forgive us all and may
He bestow His Mercy upon us.” This was his reply to the greetings of the
Angels that had presented themselves before him. It is stated that he replied
to their greetings for a full twenty-four hours.
ALLEGIANCE TO AHLE SUNNAT: Shaikh Abdur Razzaq r.a. and Shaikh
Moosa r.a. both sons of r.a. al-Ghawth al-A'zam r.a. state: “Shaikh lifted
both his hands towards the sky and said, ‘May there be peace, blessings
and Allah’s Mercy upon you. Repent sincerely from your hearts and join
the Sawaad-e-A’zam (Huge Jamaat or Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat). It was for
this reason that I was sent. In other words, I was sent to command you
to follow and be obedient to our Beloved Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.s. Always
be gentle.” He then said, “The distance between you, I and all the creation
is like the distance between the skies and the earth. Thus, you should
not think of anyone equal to me, or think or me equal to any other”. HIS
CONDITION: During this time, his son, Sayyidi Abdur Rahman r.a., asked
concerning his condition, and he answred: “None of you should question
me concerning anything. Listen! My condition is continuously changing in
the Exalted Court of Allah. My status is being elevated as every moment
is passing by.”
HIS ILLNESS: His son, Sayyidi Abdul Aziz r.a., asked him concerning
his illness and what type of illness be had. He replied: “None of you know
about my illness. No person, Jinn or Angel even is aware of the kind of
illness I have”.
THE CONDITION OF HIS HEART: His son, Sayyidi Abdul Jabbar r.a.,
asked him if he was in any pain and discomfort. He said: “My entire body
is in pain except my heart. My heart is protected as it is the treasure
chest of the remembrance of Allah Almighty and the Madina (City) of the
Rays of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.s.”
HIS LAST MOMENTS: In his last moment on this physical earth,
Sayyidi r.a. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said: “I ask assistance
from Allah. I bear testimony that there is none worthy of worship but One
Allah. He is the Exalted and the only True Existing Who does not die. Pure
is He, Who through His Powers is superior over His servants, and has caused
death for them. There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.
) is the Prophet of Allah”.
HIS DEMISE: On the eve of his demise, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. said: “I am sorry for you all. Do you know who I am? I fear no man,
Jinn or even the Angel of Death. O Angel of Death! Take me into the Exalted
Court of My Creator, Who has given me the opportunity of being his chosen
servant (Wali) and Who is the Superior One Who is responsible for
my commands.”
In the month of Rabi-ul-Aakhir 561 A.H. (as per various narrations,
either on the 11th or 17th), the Beloved of the Holy
Prophet s.a.w.s.,the Bright Shining Star of Sayyidina Ali r.a. the Comfort
of the Heart of Sayyidah Fatima r.a., the Splendour of Imam Hassan r.a.,
the Beaming Light of Imam Husain r.a., the Light of the Eyes of Sayyidi
Abu Saaleh r.a. and Sayyida Ummul Khair Faatima r.a., the Torch of Guidance
and Knowledge, the Representative of the Beloved Nabi, s.a.w.s., the Point
of Salvation for all Disciples, the Qutb of Qutbs, The Ghawth of all Ghawth’,
The Saint of Saints, The King and Greatest of all Saints, The Reviver of
the Religion, The Ghawth of both Humans and Jinns, Ghawth al-A’zam, Shaikh
Sayyidina Shaikh Muhiy’yuddeen Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani al-Baghdadi r.a.
shone for the last time on this physical earth. The Luminous And Distinguished
Saint had travelled from this world over the bridge of death, which causes
the Lover (Devotee) to meet the Beloved. “Inna lil laahi wa inna alaihi
Raaji’oon”
HIS BLESSED TOMB: His blessed tomb (Mazaar) is situated in the
city of Baghdad in Iraq. It is frequented throughout the year, by devotees,
great and learned scholars and, no doubt, by the Awliya of their times.
May Almighty Allah keeps us firm on the path of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.
May we always truly love al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani
r.a. and remain as his and our Master’s loyal servants. Aameen.
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