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{{Short description|Muslim preacher, mystic and theologian (1078–1166)}}
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{{Infobox religious biography
Sheikh '''Abdul Qadir Jelani''' (]: عبد القادر الجيلانى ) was a noted ] preacher, ] ] and the eponymous founder of the ] Sufi order (''selsela''). He was born in ] 470 A.H ( About 1077 AD) in the Persian province of ] (]) south of the Caspian sea. His contribution and renown in the sciences of Sufism and ] was so immense that he became known as the spiritual pole of his time, ''al-Gauth al Azam'' (the "Supreme Helper" or the "Mightiest Succor"). His writings were similar to those of ] in that they dealt with both the fundamentals of Islam and the mystical experience of Sufism.
| religion = ]
| region =
| era =
| image = Shaykh 'Abd al Qadir Jalani.jpg
| caption = Imaginary depiction of Abdul Qadir Gilani. Created in ] in {{circa|1680}}
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Abdul Qadir Gilani<br />{{lang|ar|عبد القادر الجيلاني}}
| native_name =
| birth_date = 1077 or 1078 (1 ] 470 AH)
| birth_place = ], ]
| death_date = 1166 CE (11 ] 561 ])
| death_place = ], ]
| resting_place = ], Baghdad
| children = ]
| Sufi_order = ] {{small|(''founder'')}}
| main_interests = ], ]
| title =
| denomination = ]
| jurisprudence = ]
| creed =
| works =
| disciples = ], ]
| disciple_of = ]
}}
{{Sufism}}


'''Abdul Qadir Gilani''' ({{langx|fa|{{Nastaliq|عبدالقادر گیلانی}}|translit='Abdulqādir Gīlānī}}, {{langx|ar|عبد القادر الجيلاني|translit=ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī}}) was a ] scholar, preacher, and ] leader who was the ] of the ], one of the oldest Sufi orders.{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}}


He was born in 1077 or 1078 in the town of Na'if, ] in ], ], and died in 1166 in ].<ref name="W. Braune, 1986">W. Braune, ''Abd al-Kadir al-Djilani, The Encyclopaedia of Islam'', Vol. I, ed. H.A.R Gibb, J.H.Kramers, E. Levi-Provencal, J. Schacht, (Brill, 1986), 69; "authorities are unanimous in stating that he was a Persian from Nayf (Nif) in Djilan, south of the Caspian Sea."</ref><ref name="EB">{{Britannica|693|'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani}}</ref>
==Parents and Early Life==
Abdul Qadir Jilani was a Sufi master and Syed (descendant of the ]) from both his father and mother. His father Abu Saleh Jangidost, was an illustrious and God-fearing man. Once while engrossed in meditation by the bank of a river he saw an apple floating down the river. He picked it up and ate it. It struck to him that he ate the apple without paying for it so he set out in search of the owner, on the bank of the river and at last reached the owner of the apple orchard "Abdullah Somai" whom he requested to tell him the price of the apple, Abdullah Somai replied that it was an expensive thing. Syed Abu Saleh replied that he had not much by way of worldly material but he, could serve him for compensation. Abdullah Somai then asked him to work for a year in the orchard. In course of time the duration was extended several times. In the end Abdullah Somai admitted that he had served him in excess of the price and desired to reward him. Abu Saleh hesitated in accepting it but when Abdullah Somai persisted, he relented. He said he had a daughter, blind of eyes, handicapped of hands and feet and wanted to give her in marriage to him. In this way Abu Saleh was married to Abdullah Somai's daughter, Syeda Fatimah. To his astonishment found her wondrously beautiful and wholesome. He complained to his father-in-law that he found her exactly the opposite to what he had described her. Abdullah Somai insisted on the truthfulness of his statement. She was blind because she had not seen any ''Ghair Mehram'' (a man who could marry her). She was mute because she had not uttered a word repugnant to the ] (]). She was deaf because she had not heard anything inconsistent with the Shariah. She was handicapped of hand and feet because she had never moved in the direction of evil.<ref>Abdul Qadir Jelani, ''Silsalah-e-Qadriah''</ref>


==Name==
Abdul Qadir Jilani's father died soon after and the young orphan was reared up by his mother and his grandfather, Abdullah Somai. Oh m
The honorific ''Muhiyudin'' denotes his status with many Sufis as a "]".<ref name="Hadrat pg 21">''Mihr-e-munīr: biography of Hadrat Syed Pīr Meher Alī Shāh'' pg 21, Muhammad Fādil Khān, Faid Ahmad. Sajjadah Nashinan of Golra Sharif, Islamabad (1998).</ref> Gilani (] ''al-Jilani'') refers to his place of birth, ].<ref>Encyclopaedia of religion and ethics: volume 1. (A – Art). Part 1. (A – Algonquins) pg 10. Hastings, James and Selbie, John A. Adamant Media corporation. (2001), "and he was probably of Persian origin."</ref><ref>''The Sufi orders in Islam'', 2nd edition, pg 32. Triingham, J. Spencer and Voll, John O. Oxford University Press US, (1998), "The Hanafi Qadirriya is also included since 'Abd al-Qadir, of Persian origin was contemporary of the other two."</ref> However, Gilani also carried the epithet ''Baghdadi'', referring to his residence and burial in Baghdad. He was also known as Gauth Al-Azam.<ref>''Devotional Islam and politics in British India: Barelwi and his movement, 1870–1920'', pg 144, Sanyal, Usha Oxford University Press US, 19 August 1999. {{ISBN|0-19-564862-5}} {{ISBN|978-0-19-564862-1}}.</ref><ref>''Indo-iranica'' pg 7. The Iran Society, Calcutta, India. (1985).</ref>


==Adult Life== ==Family background==
Gilani was born in 1077 or 1078. Despite his popularity, his background is uncertain.{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}} His father (or perhaps grandfather) had the Iranian name of Jangi Dust,{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}}{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}} which indicates that Gilani was of Persian stock.{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}} His '']'' means "from ]", an Iranian region located on the southwestern coast of the ].{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}}
At the age of 18 he went to ] on 488 Ah (1095 AD), where he pursued the study of Hanbalite law under several teachers. His mother sewed 40 gold coins in his quilt so that he might spend then when needed. The ] struck the caravan on the way, and looted all the travelers of their belongings. They asked him what he had. He replied that he had 40 gold coins. The dacoits took his reply for a joke and took him to their chief, who asked him the same question and he again replied that he had 40 gold coins. He demanded him to show, upon whom he tore away, the quilt and produced the gold coins. He was surprised and asked him why he had given the hidden gold coins when he could have kept them hidden. Young Abdul Qadir Jilani replied that he was travelling to Baghdad to receive education and his mother had instructed him to speak the truth. This left a deep effect on the chief of the dacoits and he gave up looting.


During his stay in the city of ], Gilani was called '']i'' (non-Arab), which according to ] may be because he spoke Persian alongside Arabic.{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}} According to the ''al-Nujūm al-ẓāhira'' by the 15th-century historian ] (died 1470), Gilani was born in Jil in ], but this account is questioned by French historian ].{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}} Modern historians (including Lawrence) consider Gilani to have been born in Gilan.{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}}{{sfn|Anwar|2009}}{{sfn|Jonathan|Karamustafa|2014}} The region was then politically semi-independent and divided between local chieftains from different clans.{{sfn|Madelung|2001|pp=634–635}}
Abdul Qadir received lessons on Islamic Jurisprudence from Abu Said Ali al-Mukharrimi, ] from Abu-Bakra-bin-Muzaffar, and commentary (]) from the renowned commentator, Abu Muhammad Jafar.


Gilani is claimed to have been a descendant of ]'s grandson ]; this claim is generally considered genuine by the Muslim community, including the ''Qadiriyya''.{{sfn|Chabbi|2009}} Lawrence finds this claim inconsistent with Gilani's apparent Persian background, and considers it to have been "traced by overzealous hagiographers."{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}}
In ], his spiritual instructor was Shaikh Abu'l-Khair Hammad. From him, he received his basic training, and with his help he set out on the spiritual journey. Abu Shuja' was also a disciple of Shaikh Hammad, once he said: "Shaikh Abdul Qadir was in the company of Shaikh Hammad, so he came and sat in front of him, observing the best of good manners, until he stood up and took his leave. I heard Shaikh Hammad say, as soon as Shaikh Abdul Qadir had left: 'This non-Arab has a foot that will be raised, when the proper time comes, and placed upon the necks of the saints of that time. He will surely be commanded to say: This foot of mine is upon the neck of every saint of Allah. He will surely say it, and the necks of all the saints of his age will surely be bent at his disposal.'" Hazrat ] (d. 910 A.D.), who died about 167 years before the birth of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, predicted about him on one occasion, when he was performing meditation & during that he said: "His foot will be over all Saints' necks." After finishing meditation, his disciples asked him about his words, he replied: "One Sufi would be born in the future, who would be greater than all saints." Thus, Shaikh Hammad proved the words of Hazrat Junayd as right. The historians says that, later Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani also repeated the same words on many occasion by himself.


==Education==
===Popular Sufi Sheikh===
Gilani spent his early life in Gilan, the province of his birth. In 1095, he went to Baghdad. There, he pursued the study of ] law under ] and ].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Campo |first=Juan Eduardo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC |entry=Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani |title=Encyclopedia of Islam |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126968 |page=4 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Brill">{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Gibb |first=H.A.R. |entry= |title=Encyclopaedia of Islam |last2=Kramers |first2=J.H. |last3=Levi-Provencal |first3=E. |last4=Schacht |first4=J. |date=1986 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-9004081147 |edition=New |volume=I (A-B) |location=Leiden, Netherlands |page=69}}</ref> He studied ] with Abu Muhammad Ja'far al-Sarraj.<ref name="Brill" /> His Sufi spiritual instructor was Abu'l-Khair Hammad ibn Muslim al-Dabbas.<ref>Malise Ruthven, Islam in the World, p 243. {{ISBN|0195305035}}</ref> After completing his education, Gilani left Baghdad. He spent twenty-five years wandering in the deserts of ].<ref>Esposito J. L. ''The Oxford dictionary of Islam.'' p160. {{ISBN|0199757267}}</ref>
After completion of education, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani abandoned the city of Baghdad, and spent twenty-five years as a wanderer in the desert regions of Iraq as a recluse.<ref>Abd-al-Haqq, ''Akbar'', p.11</ref> He was over fifty years old by the time he returned to Baghdad, in 521 A.H. (1127 A.D), and began to preach in public. His hearers were profoundly affected by the style and content of his lectures, and his reputation grew and spread through all sections of society. Not only Muslims, but also Jews and Christians, not only caliphs and viziers but also farmers, merchants and traders allegedly altered their lives in response to Abdul Qadir's perorations.<ref>''Ibid'', p. 13</ref> He moved into the school belonging to his old teacher al-Mukharrimii, there he engaged himself in teaching. Soon he became popular with his pupils. In the morning he taught ''hadith'' and ''tafseer'', and in the afternoon held discourse on mysticism and the virtues of the Qur'an. The number of students increased so much that the seminary could no more contain them. He, therefore, decided to extend the premises of the seminary. The students and the people willingly came forward with their wholehearted contributions. The campus buildings were ready in 528 Hijri and thereafter it came to be known as ''Madarsai-e-Qadriya''.


== School of law ==
Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani was a Non-Arab (''ajami''), so he wasn't fluent in Arabic and was having some difficulties because of it. Once The Prophet Muhammad came to him in a dream, before the time of the midday prayer (]), and he said him him: "O my dear son, why do you not speak out?" He replied: "O dear father, I am a Non-Arab man. How can I speak fluently in the classical Arabic language of Baghdad?" Holy Prophet said: "Just open your mouth!" He opened his mouth, and The Holy Prophet put his slavia seven times in his mouth. A few moments later, Hazrat ] also came & did the same to him six times. And from that time, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani spoke classical Arabic language with fluency, his memory increased and he felt some great positive spiritual changes in him.
Gilani belonged to the ] and ] schools of law. He placed Shafi'i jurisprudence (]) on an equal footing with the Hanbali school (]), and used to give ] according to both of them simultaneously. This is why ] praised him in his book entitled ''Bustan al-'Arifin'' (Garden of the Spiritual Masters), saying: {{quote|We have never known anyone more dignified than Baghdad's Sheikh Muhyi al-Din 'Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani, may Allah be pleased with him, the ] of Shafi'is and Hanbalis in Baghdad.<ref>{{Cite book |last='Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani |date=20 January 2019 |editor-last=Jamal al-Din Faleh al-Kilani |editor-link=:ar:جمال الدين فالح الكيلاني |title=Futuh al-Ghayb ("Revelations of the Unseen") |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVqEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |language=ar}}</ref>}}


==Later life==
Once some one asked Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani about ], he replied: "His claim extended too far, so the scissors of the Sacred Law (Shari'a) were empowered to clip it."
In 1127, Gilani returned to Baghdad and began to preach to the public.<ref name="EB" /> He joined the teaching staff of the school belonging to his teacher, al-Makhzoomi, and was popular with students. In the morning he taught ] and ], and in the afternoon he discoursed on the science of the heart and the virtues of the ]. He was said to have been a convincing preacher who converted numerous Jews and Christians and who integrated Sufi mysticism with Islamic Law.<ref name=EB/>


==Death and burial==
He busied himself for forty years in the service of the Islam from 521 to 561 Hijri During this period hundreds embraced
] in Baghdad in 1925]]
Islam because of him and organized several teams to go abroad for the purpose. He arrived in Indian sub-continent in 1128 A.D., and stayed at Multan (Pakistan). He died in 561 A.H. (1166 A.D.) at the age of 91 years, and was buried in Baghdad.
Al-Gilani died in 1166 and was buried in Baghdad. His '']'' (death anniversary of a Sufi saint) is traditionally celebrated on 11 ].{{sfn|Lawrence|1982|pp=132–133}}


During the reign of the ] Shah ], Gilani's shrine was destroyed.<ref>A.A. Duri, ''Baghdad, The Encyclopaedia of Islam'', Vol. I, 903.</ref> However, in 1535, the ] emperor ] had a dome built over the shrine.<ref>W. Braune, ''Abd al-Kadir al-Djilani, The Encyclopaedia of Islam'', Vol. I, 70.</ref>
==Literary Works and Genealogy==
Some of Abdul Qadirs major literary works include; ''Al-Ghunya li-talibi tariq al-haqq'' (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth), ''Al-Fath ar-Rabbani'' (The Sublime Revelation), ''Malfuzat'' (Utterances), ''Futuh al-Ghaib'' (Revelations of the Unseen), and ''Jala' al-Khatir'' (The Removal of Care) or ''Jala' al-Khawatir'' (The Removal of Cares). As mentioned earlier, the Sheikh was a ''seyyid'', which is considered a title of high regard in both Sunni and Shia Islam. Abdul Qadir's full name is Abu Muhammad Abd al-Qadir ibn Abi Salih Musa ibn Abdullah al-Jili ibn Yahya az-Zahid ibn Muhammad ibn Da'ud ibn Musa ibn Abdullah ibn Musa ibn Abdullah al-Mahd ibn al-Hasan al Muthanna ibn al-] ibn ].<ref>Abd al'Qadir al-Jilani, ''Al-Fath ar-Rabbani''</ref>


==Notes== == Influences ==
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani converted thousands of people to Islam through his compassionate and inclusive approach to Inner purification and devotion towards Allah. His emphasis on inner purification, divine love, and ethical living resonated deeply with many, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Renard |first=John |title=Knowledge of God in Classical Sufism: Foundations of Islamic Mystical Theology |publisher=Paulist Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0809140305 |publication-date=July 1, 2004 |pages=202-205 |language=English}}</ref> One of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani's most significant contributions was the establishment of the Madrasah al-Qadiriyya in Baghdad. This institution became a center for Islamic learning and spirituality, attracting students from various regions. The curriculum included the study of the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and ] (Sufism), providing a comprehensive religious education.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Algar |first=Hamid |title=Sufism: Principles & Practice |publisher=Islamic Pubns Intl |year=1999 |isbn=978-1889999029 |publication-date=January 1, 1999 |pages=103-106 |language=English}}</ref> The influence of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani extended to political and military leaders of his time. His teachings inspired rulers to adopt more just and ethical governance. Prominent figures such as ] and ] were known to respect and follow the principles advocated by the Shaykh, which contributed to their own reforms and successes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=W. Ernst |first=Carl |title=The Shambhala Guide to Sufism |publisher=Shambhala |year=1997 |isbn=978-1570621802 |publication-date=September 23, 1997 |pages=124-126 |language=English}}</ref>
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==See also== ==Books==
] (1595) manuscript of "Nafahat al-uns" (Breaths of Fellowship) of ]. ]]]
{{Wikibooks|Sufism}}
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


* ''Kitab Sirr al-Asrar wa Mazhar al-Anwar'' (The Book of the Secret of Secrets and the Manifestation of Light)
==Sources==
* '']'' (Secrets of the Unseen)
* from Ibn Arabi Society
* ''] (The Purification of heart)''
* a lecture by W.Chittick
* ''Ghunyat al-Ṭalibeen (also spelled as : Ghunya- tuṭ-ṭalibeen)'' (Treasure for Seekers) <ref>{{Cite book |last=Al-Qahtani |first=Sheik Saeed bin Misfer |title=Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani and his Belief and Sufi views |publisher=Library of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah |year=1997 |pages=133 |language=ar}}</ref> غنیہ الطالیبین
*
* ''Al-Fuyudat al-Rabbaniya'' (Emanations of Lordly Grace)
* From a site dedicated to various esoteric systems
* Fifteen Letters: ''Khamsata 'Ashara Maktuban''
* ''Kibriyat e Ahmar''
* A Concise Description of Jannah & Jahannam<ref>{{Cite web |title=A concise description of Jannah & Jahannam, the garden of paradise and the fire of hell: excerpted from 'Sufficient provision for seekers of the Path of Truth (Al-Ghunya li-Tālibi al-Ḥaqq) |website= WorldCat.org |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1158643778 |access-date=2022-11-03 |language=en}}</ref>
* ] (''al-Fatḥ ar-Rabbānī'')


==External links== ==See also==
* ]
* Dr. Alan Godlas, University of Georgia
* ]
*
* ]
* by ]
* ]
*
* ]
* of the University of Toronto associated with Chishti order of Sufism
* ]
*
* ]
* Audio and articles on Sufism
* ]
*
* ]
*
* ]
* by a feminist Sufi
* ]
* by Camille Adams Helminski
*
*
*
* Abdul Qadir Jelani


==References==
===Online resources===
{{Reflist}}
* Books on sufism from silsila-e-azeemia
* Classic Sufi texts in translation
* Some books by Rumi, Saadi, Kabir, Khayyam & Ghazali
*
* by Fariduddin-al-Attar
* Excrepts/Books by ]
* Excrepts/Books by ]
* and other books
* William Chittick lecture on Ahmad Samani


==Sources==
===Imams on Sufism===
{{wikiquote|Abdul Qadeer Gilani}}
*
{{sfn whitelist |CITEREFLawrence1982 |CITEREFMadelung2001}}
*
* {{cite journal|last1=Anwar|first1=E.|title=Jīlānī, ʿAbd al-Qādir al-.|year=2009|journal=The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195305135.001.0001/acref-9780195305135-e-1183}}
*
* {{EI3|last=Chabbi|first=Jacqueline|authorlink=Jacqueline Chabbi|year=2009|title=ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/abd-al-qadir-al-jilani-COM_22592}}
*
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica |volume=1 |fascicle=2 |title=ʿAbd-al-Qāder Jīlānī |last=Lawrence |first=Bruce |author-link=Bruce Lawrence |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/abd-al-qader-jilani |pages=132–133}}

* {{cite journal|last1=Jonathan|first1=Allen|last2=Karamustafa|first2=Ahmet T.|title=`Abd al-Qadir al Jilani (Gilani)|year=2014|journal=Oxford Bibliographies|doi=10.1093/OBO/9780195390155-0100}}

* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | volume = 10 | fascicle = 6 | title = Gīlān iv. History in the Early Islamic Period | last = Madelung | first = Wilferd | url = https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gilan-iv | pages = 634–635 }}
]


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Latest revision as of 17:31, 31 December 2024

Muslim preacher, mystic and theologian (1078–1166)

Abdul Qadir Gilani
عبد القادر الجيلاني
Imaginary depiction of Abdul Qadir Gilani. Created in Mughal India in c. 1680
Personal life
Born1077 or 1078 (1 Ramadan 470 AH)
Gilan, Seljuk Empire
Died1166 CE (11 Rabi' al-Thani 561 AH)
Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Resting placeAbdul Qadir Gilani Mosque, Baghdad
ChildrenAbdul Razzaq Jilani
Main interest(s)Fiqh, Sufism
Religious life
ReligionSunni Islam
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceHanbali
TariqaQadiriyya (founder)
Senior posting
Disciple ofAbu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi
Disciples
Part of a series on Islam
Sufism
Tomb of Abdul Qadir Gilani, Baghdad, Iraq
Ideas
Practices
Sufi orders
List of sufis
Topics in Sufism
Islam portal

Abdul Qadir Gilani (Persian: عبدالقادر گیلانی, romanized: 'Abdulqādir Gīlānī, Arabic: عبد القادر الجيلاني, romanized: ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī) was a Hanbali scholar, preacher, and Sufi leader who was the eponym of the Qadiriyya, one of the oldest Sufi orders.

He was born in 1077 or 1078 in the town of Na'if, Rezvanshahr in Gilan, Persia, and died in 1166 in Baghdad.

Name

The honorific Muhiyudin denotes his status with many Sufis as a "reviver of religion". Gilani (Arabic al-Jilani) refers to his place of birth, Gilan. However, Gilani also carried the epithet Baghdadi, referring to his residence and burial in Baghdad. He was also known as Gauth Al-Azam.

Family background

Gilani was born in 1077 or 1078. Despite his popularity, his background is uncertain. His father (or perhaps grandfather) had the Iranian name of Jangi Dust, which indicates that Gilani was of Persian stock. His nisba means "from Gilan", an Iranian region located on the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea.

During his stay in the city of Baghdad, Gilani was called ajami (non-Arab), which according to Bruce Lawrence may be because he spoke Persian alongside Arabic. According to the al-Nujūm al-ẓāhira by the 15th-century historian Ibn Taghribirdi (died 1470), Gilani was born in Jil in Iraq, but this account is questioned by French historian Jacqueline Chabbi. Modern historians (including Lawrence) consider Gilani to have been born in Gilan. The region was then politically semi-independent and divided between local chieftains from different clans.

Gilani is claimed to have been a descendant of Muhammad's grandson Hasan ibn Ali; this claim is generally considered genuine by the Muslim community, including the Qadiriyya. Lawrence finds this claim inconsistent with Gilani's apparent Persian background, and considers it to have been "traced by overzealous hagiographers."

Education

Gilani spent his early life in Gilan, the province of his birth. In 1095, he went to Baghdad. There, he pursued the study of Hanbali law under Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi and ibn Aqil. He studied hadith with Abu Muhammad Ja'far al-Sarraj. His Sufi spiritual instructor was Abu'l-Khair Hammad ibn Muslim al-Dabbas. After completing his education, Gilani left Baghdad. He spent twenty-five years wandering in the deserts of Iraq.

School of law

Gilani belonged to the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools of law. He placed Shafi'i jurisprudence (fiqh) on an equal footing with the Hanbali school (madhhab), and used to give fatwa according to both of them simultaneously. This is why al-Nawawi praised him in his book entitled Bustan al-'Arifin (Garden of the Spiritual Masters), saying:

We have never known anyone more dignified than Baghdad's Sheikh Muhyi al-Din 'Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani, may Allah be pleased with him, the Sheikh of Shafi'is and Hanbalis in Baghdad.

Later life

In 1127, Gilani returned to Baghdad and began to preach to the public. He joined the teaching staff of the school belonging to his teacher, al-Makhzoomi, and was popular with students. In the morning he taught hadith and tafsir, and in the afternoon he discoursed on the science of the heart and the virtues of the Quran. He was said to have been a convincing preacher who converted numerous Jews and Christians and who integrated Sufi mysticism with Islamic Law.

Death and burial

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani Mosque in Baghdad in 1925

Al-Gilani died in 1166 and was buried in Baghdad. His urs (death anniversary of a Sufi saint) is traditionally celebrated on 11 Rabi' al-Thani.

During the reign of the Safavid Shah Ismail I, Gilani's shrine was destroyed. However, in 1535, the Ottoman emperor Suleiman the Magnificent had a dome built over the shrine.

Influences

Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani converted thousands of people to Islam through his compassionate and inclusive approach to Inner purification and devotion towards Allah. His emphasis on inner purification, divine love, and ethical living resonated deeply with many, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds. One of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani's most significant contributions was the establishment of the Madrasah al-Qadiriyya in Baghdad. This institution became a center for Islamic learning and spirituality, attracting students from various regions. The curriculum included the study of the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Tasawwuf (Sufism), providing a comprehensive religious education. The influence of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani extended to political and military leaders of his time. His teachings inspired rulers to adopt more just and ethical governance. Prominent figures such as Nur ad-Din Zangi and Salahuddin Ayyubi were known to respect and follow the principles advocated by the Shaykh, which contributed to their own reforms and successes.

Books

The Vision of Muhyi al-Din ibn al-Gilani. Miniature from the Ottoman (1595) manuscript of "Nafahat al-uns" (Breaths of Fellowship) of Jami. Chester Beatty Library
  • Kitab Sirr al-Asrar wa Mazhar al-Anwar (The Book of the Secret of Secrets and the Manifestation of Light)
  • Futuh al ghaib (Secrets of the Unseen)
  • Jila' al-Khatir (The Purification of heart)
  • Ghunyat al-Ṭalibeen (also spelled as : Ghunya- tuṭ-ṭalibeen) (Treasure for Seekers) غنیہ الطالیبین
  • Al-Fuyudat al-Rabbaniya (Emanations of Lordly Grace)
  • Fifteen Letters: Khamsata 'Ashara Maktuban
  • Kibriyat e Ahmar
  • A Concise Description of Jannah & Jahannam
  • The Sublime Revelation (al-Fatḥ ar-Rabbānī)

See also

References

  1. ^ Chabbi 2009.
  2. W. Braune, Abd al-Kadir al-Djilani, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. I, ed. H.A.R Gibb, J.H.Kramers, E. Levi-Provencal, J. Schacht, (Brill, 1986), 69; "authorities are unanimous in stating that he was a Persian from Nayf (Nif) in Djilan, south of the Caspian Sea."
  3. ^ 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  4. Mihr-e-munīr: biography of Hadrat Syed Pīr Meher Alī Shāh pg 21, Muhammad Fādil Khān, Faid Ahmad. Sajjadah Nashinan of Golra Sharif, Islamabad (1998).
  5. Encyclopaedia of religion and ethics: volume 1. (A – Art). Part 1. (A – Algonquins) pg 10. Hastings, James and Selbie, John A. Adamant Media corporation. (2001), "and he was probably of Persian origin."
  6. The Sufi orders in Islam, 2nd edition, pg 32. Triingham, J. Spencer and Voll, John O. Oxford University Press US, (1998), "The Hanafi Qadirriya is also included since 'Abd al-Qadir, of Persian origin was contemporary of the other two."
  7. Devotional Islam and politics in British India: Barelwi and his movement, 1870–1920, pg 144, Sanyal, Usha Oxford University Press US, 19 August 1999. ISBN 0-19-564862-5 ISBN 978-0-19-564862-1.
  8. Indo-iranica pg 7. The Iran Society, Calcutta, India. (1985).
  9. ^ Lawrence 1982, pp. 132–133.
  10. Anwar 2009.
  11. Jonathan & Karamustafa 2014.
  12. Madelung 2001, pp. 634–635.
  13. Campo, Juan Eduardo (2009). "Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani". Encyclopedia of Islam. Infobase Publishing. p. 4. ISBN 9781438126968.
  14. ^ Gibb, H.A.R.; Kramers, J.H.; Levi-Provencal, E.; Schacht, J. (1986). Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. I (A-B) (New ed.). Leiden, Netherlands: Brill. p. 69. ISBN 978-9004081147.
  15. Malise Ruthven, Islam in the World, p 243. ISBN 0195305035
  16. Esposito J. L. The Oxford dictionary of Islam. p160. ISBN 0199757267
  17. 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (20 January 2019). Jamal al-Din Faleh al-Kilani (ed.). Futuh al-Ghayb ("Revelations of the Unseen") (in Arabic).
  18. A.A. Duri, Baghdad, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. I, 903.
  19. W. Braune, Abd al-Kadir al-Djilani, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. I, 70.
  20. Renard, John (2004). Knowledge of God in Classical Sufism: Foundations of Islamic Mystical Theology. Paulist Press (published July 1, 2004). pp. 202–205. ISBN 978-0809140305.
  21. Algar, Hamid (1999). Sufism: Principles & Practice. Islamic Pubns Intl (published January 1, 1999). pp. 103–106. ISBN 978-1889999029.
  22. W. Ernst, Carl (1997). The Shambhala Guide to Sufism. Shambhala (published September 23, 1997). pp. 124–126. ISBN 978-1570621802.
  23. Al-Qahtani, Sheik Saeed bin Misfer (1997). Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani and his Belief and Sufi views (in Arabic). Library of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. p. 133.
  24. "A concise description of Jannah & Jahannam, the garden of paradise and the fire of hell: excerpted from 'Sufficient provision for seekers of the Path of Truth (Al-Ghunya li-Tālibi al-Ḥaqq)". WorldCat.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.

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