■ Who is Sayyidina Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) and why is he so special and important for all the Sufis, Aulia Allah and followers?
Bismillah Irehman Niraheem
My Dear Readers! Remember that all power and help come only from Allah, and the Aulia Allah are only His beloved servants who receive His Noor, mercy and blessings. When we talk about their high positions and Maqam, such as being a Ghaus i.e “helper” or having a “foot on the neck” of other Aulia Allah, these are spiritual meanings and not physical or worldly matters. Do not let any wrong thought enter your mind that a Wali Allah can act independently from Allah, or that he is equal to God in any way. We honor and love the Aulia Allah purely because they guide us toward Allah. So, approach this sacred knowledge with humility, respect, and a strong belief that everything they have is a gift from their Creator. Do not ever let your heart think that the Wazifa we do, like completing the Quran, are for anyone other than Allah, because this would be a great mistake. Keep your faith pure, and take these incidents as lessons to increase your love for Allah and His righteous servants, without crossing the limits of true Islamic belief.
So who is Sayyidina Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) ?
His full name is Abdul Qadir. His honorable title (laqab) is Mohiuddin, which means “the one who revives the religion.”
His family name (kunya) is Abu Muhammad. He is famously known by many respected names.
People call him Ghaus-ul-Azam, which means the “Greatest Helper.”
They also call him Peer Dastagir, which means the “Wali Allah who holds the hand of those in need,” and he is also known as the “Shaykh of the 11th” (Gyarhviin wale Peer) because of the special importance of the 11th night of every moon.
For his regular, outward education (which is called Zaahiri education), he went to Baghdad. He learned the science of Hadith, which are the sayings of the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam), from a great teacher named Shaykh Ahmad bin Muzaffar Abu Ghalib. He also learned the science of literature and language from another teacher named Shaykh Abu Zakariya Tabrizi.
When he wanted to start his spiritual journey i.e Sulook, he took the oath of allegiance, which is called Bay’ah, from a spiritual teacher guide named Shaykh Abu Saeed Makhzumi (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). Through this teacher guide, he received spiritual energy and blessings, which are called Fayd o Barakah. This spiritual energy reached him through 6 different channels or ways. Let me explain these s6 channels.
– First Channel of Spiritual Energy – From His Father’s Side
The first spiritual blessing came to him through his own respected father, Sayyid Abu Salih. His father was a Sayyid, which means he was a descendant of the family of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam). Specifically, his father was from the line of Imam Hassan, who was the eldest son of the Prophet’s daughter Fatima and Ali (Alayhus Salam). His father was the 11th generation descendant of Imam Hassan (Alayhi Salam). So, from his father’s side, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani is known as a Hassani Sayyid.
– Second Channel of Spiritual Energy – From His Mother’s Side
The second spiritual blessing came to him through his respected mother, Fatima bint Abdullah, who is also known as Fatima al-Thani (the second Fatima). She was a descendant of Imam Hussain (Alayhi Salam), who was the younger son of Fatima and Ali (Alayhus Salam). She was the 14th generation descendant of Imam Hussain (Alayhi Salam). So, from his mother’s side, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani is known as a Hussaini Sayyid. This means he is a Sayyid from both sides – he is both Hassani and Hussaini. This is a very great honor.
– Third Channel of Spiritual Energy – Through His Spiritual Teacher Guide
The third spiritual blessing came to him through his spiritual teacher guide, Shaykh Abu Saeed Makhzumi (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). This guide connected him through a continuous chain (Silsila or Tariqah) of teachers that goes all the way back to Imam Hasan Basri (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), then to Imam Ali (Alayhus Salam) (who is called the “Lion of God” – Sher-e-Khuda), and finally to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) himself. So this is the chain of spiritual masters.
– Fourth Channel of Spiritual Energy – Through His Own Hard Practices and Worship
The fourth spiritual blessing came to him through his own strict and difficult spiritual practices. This is called Zuhd (not caring about worldly things) and Riyadah (spiritual exercises). He lived a life of great hardship. He used to stay awake all night in prayer (Qiyam-ul-Layl) and he used to fast every single day (Sa’im-ud-Dahr). He performed many great spiritual struggles. For example, he used to go out into the dry desert of Iraq just to remember and say the name of Allah (Dhikr). The heat was so intense and the thirst was so severe that he would fall down unconscious. People passing by would think he had passed away, so they would start to give him a bath for the dead. But when the cold water touched his body, he would wake up and come back to his senses. This shows how deep his spiritual connection was.
– Fifth Channel of Spiritual Energy – Directly from the Prophet and Ali (Alayhus Salam)
The fifth spiritual blessing came to him directly from the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) and from Ali (Alay Salam) (the Lion of God). He was directly given the order to go and teach the creation of God. However, at first, he felt shy and hesitant to speak in the Arabic language in front of large gatherings. So, to remove this hesitation, the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) came to him and put his blessed saliva in Shaykh Abdul Qadir’s mouth 7 times. Then, Imam Ali (Alayh Salam) came to him and put his saliva in his mouth 6 times, out of deep love, respect and politeness for the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam). After this, a great miracle happened. His tongue became filled with deep knowledge and the inner light of spiritual secrets. Rivers of spiritual understanding started flowing from his mouth. He then founded his own spiritual order, which is called the Qadiriyya order. His blessed name is Abdul Qadir, and he is the perfect example of being powerful through the power of Allah.
– Sixth Channel of Spiritual Energy – From Imam Hasan Askari (Alayhi Salam), the 11th Imam
The sixth spiritual blessing came to him from Imam Hasan Askari (Alayhi Salam), who is the 11th Imam of the family of the Prophet. In the third century of the Islamic calendar, when Imam Hasan Askari (Alayhi Salam) was near his death, he made a special will and instruction. He said, “All the sacred relics and spiritual treasures that have come down to me from my great ancestors must be given to Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani, who will come in the 5th century. He will be the owner of the inner spiritual inheritance of the Prophet’s family.” So, the spiritual energy that started from Imam Ali (Alayhi Salam), then went to the two grandsons Imam Hasan and Hussain, and then to the Imams, finally reached Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) through this channel. This completes the six channels.
Why is he called Ghaus-ul-Azam (The Greatest Helper)?
He is called Ghous-ul-Azam because whenever any needy person or anyone in trouble calls out to him, or calls out “Ya Ghaus-ul-Azam” or “Ya Shay’inil Allah”, he comes to help them. He does not come in just one physical body. He comes with his outward physical body, or his heart body, or his spiritual body, or his secret body, or his light body. He appears and helps the person. He is called the Greatest Helper because he reaches the person in need before any other Wali Allah or helper reaches them. All the other Aulia Allah come after him.
Why is he called Peer Dastagir and the “Peer of the 11th”?
He is called Peer Dastagir, which means the saint who holds the hand of the people, because he helps so many people. It is said that in his worldly life, every single day he would make 3000 students spiritually complete in Sulook and perfect in the state of unity with Allah i.e Maqam of Wahdat. He would also take 2000 students by the hand and help them enter into the spiritual gathering of the Prophet Muhammad i.e Majlis-e-Muhammadi (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam).
He is also called the “Peer of the 11th” because of the great importance of the 11th night and the 10th day of every moon in Islam.
Let me explain why this night is so important by giving you many examples from history. On this special day and night, many great events happened:
– When the Prophet Adam was forgiven by Allah and his repentance was accepted, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the people of Prophet Noah were saved from the great flood, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the huge fire of King Nimrod, and that fire turned into a beautiful garden of flowers by God’s command, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the people of Prophet Lot were saved from Allah’s punishment, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the Prophet Joseph was released from prison and was given the kingship of Egypt, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the people of Prophet Moses were saved from the slavery of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh and his army drowned in the River Nile, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the Prophet Jonah was taken out from the stomach of the big fish and his repentance was accepted, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the Prophet Jesus was saved from his enemies and rescued from being hanged on the cross, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– When the grandson of the Prophet, Imam Hussain, and his 72 companions were given the great honor of martyrdom in the field of Karbala, it was on the 10th day and the 11th night.
– And finally, when the Day of Judgment will be established, it will also be on the 10th day and the 11th night.
Because of these great events, we who follow the Qadiriya order have a tradition to complete the recitation of the whole Quran on this night. This completion is called Khatm.
Now, please be very careful to understand this clearly so you do not get confused. Some people think this Khatm is a special food offering made for Sayyidina Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). That is a wrong thought. You must remove this misunderstanding from your heart. Let me explain clearly:
This Khatm is actually done in the name of Allah. It is not for Sayyidina Shaykh Abdul Qadir (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). The special reward and blessings of this Khatm are made as a gift and sent to the soul of Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), but the entire ceremony from beginning to end is done by saying the name of Allah on everything. The food is only considered impure and forbidden if Allah’s name is not said on it, or if a sacrifice is done without saying “Bismillah Allahu Akbar” and instead someone says the name of someone other than Allah on it. So remember, this is Allah’s Khatm, and its reward is gifted to Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu).
Now, Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) made a very important announcement. He said:
“The suns of all the earlier Aulia Allah have set, but our sun will shine forever on the highest horizon and will never set.”
Let me explain what this means. Before Ghaus-ul-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), there were many great Aulia Allah, and they all had their own chains of spiritual initiation (Tariqa or Silsila Bay’ah) through which people could become their followers. After Ghaus-ul-Azam made this announcement, the spiritual blessings (Fayd) from the graves of those earlier Aulia Allah continued to flow, but their chains of initiation completely stopped. No one could become a new follower in those older chains anymore.
For example, consider a very famous Wali Allah named Data Ganj Bakhsh (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), who is Shaykh Ali Hajveri of Lahore. He passed away just 70 years before this announcement was made by Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). Even today, his blessed shrine gives spiritual blessings to everyone, but the specific chain of spiritual initiation known as the Junaydi Tariqah chain was closed after this announcement. This shows that Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) brought a new era in Sufism.
Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) made a second very famous announcement. He said:
“My foot is on the neck of every Wali (friend) of Allah.”
This is a very deep and important statement. Let me explain what it means so it is not confusing. First, I will tell you the story behind it. When the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) was taken on the heavenly journey called Mi’raj, he had special heavenly animals to ride. He met all the earlier prophets. At one place on this journey, the spiritual light-body of Ghaus-ul-Azam came and placed its head under the feet of the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam). The Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) then placed his blessed foot on the neck of Ghaus-ul-Azam and said, “My foot is on your neck, and your foot will be on the neck of all the saints who come after you.”
Now, what does “foot on the neck” mean?
It does not mean a physical foot. It means that Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) is the supreme spiritual leader over all Aulia Allah. They are under his command and authority. All spiritual power comes through him. When a follower gives the oath of allegiance (Bay’ah) to his own spiritual teacher guide, this oath is passed through a chain all the way up to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam). So, when Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) puts his foot on the neck of a Wali Allah, in reality, it is considered to be the foot of the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) himself because he was given this authority by the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam).
To make this even clearer, let me give you an example. A great Wali Allah named Khuwaja Shah Suleman Tunusvi (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) once said to his own followers, “If any follower of mine does not believe that Ghaus-ul-Azam’s foot is on my neck, then that follower does not truly consider me a Wali of Allah.”
This shows how important this Maqam and position is.
Here is another beautiful example. When a great Wali Allah named Khuwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), who later founded the Chishti order in India, heard this announcement, he was sitting in a cave. He was busy saying “Allah, Allah.” When he heard the announcement, he immediately put his own neck on the ground with great humility and said, “O master, your foot is on the necks of all people, and my eyes are always on both of your blessed feet.” This shows the deep respect all Aulia Allah have for Ghaus-ul-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu).
Faqeer Iltaf Hussain was a very sinful and dark-hearted person, but Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), with great kindness, has placed both of his blessed feet on the neck of this Faqeer. This is a sign of great mercy.
Now, let me tell you what the founders of other major Sufi orders have said about him so you can understand his high maqam and status.
The founder of the Chishti order in India is Khuwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), the founder of the Suhrawardi order in India is Khuwaja Bahauddin Zakariya (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu), and the great leader of the Naqshbandi order is named Khuwaja Bahauddin Shah Naqshband (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) and after him even Imam Mujaddid Alf Thani (Ahmad Sirhindi) (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). They all praised Ghaus-ul-Azam (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu).
Mujaddid Alf Thani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) wrote in his famous letters called Maktubat that the spiritual maqam and position of being the main spiritual pole of the world, which is called Qutbiyyah, was not given originally and genuinely to anyone after the Prophet’s family and the famous Imams. Everyone who held this position before Ghaus-ul-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) was just acting as a deputy or replacement. They were not the original holders of this post.
Then, Allah showed the bright existence of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). He was found worthy of this original and true Qutbiyyah. So, the position of Qutbiyyah was given to him genuinely and originally. After him, anyone who becomes the spiritual pole (Qutb) will be acting only as his deputy. This will continue until the appearance of Imam Mahdi (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). When Imam Mahdi (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) comes, then the position of Qutbiyyah will be given to him.
Mujaddid Alf Thani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) wrote in another letter that there are two ways to reach Allah and get close to Him.
The first way is the path of Prophethood Nubuwah. This path was completed and ended with the Prophet Muhammad (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam). No new prophet will come after him. The original people who traveled this path and reached Allah were only the prophets.
The second way is the path of Sainthood, which is called Wilayah. In this path, people reach Allah through spiritual connection and intermediaries. This path is for all Aulia Allah, such as the spiritual poles (Aqtab), the pillars (Autad), the substitutes (Abdal), and the noble ones (Nujaba).
The center and the only main way for this path of Wilayah is the blessed personality of Imam Ali.
This great position is connected to Imam Ali. On this path, the foot of the Prophet (Sallāllāhu ‘alayhi wa ‘alā ālihi wasallam) is on the head of Imam Ali, and Sayidah Fatima, Imam Hasan, and Hussain also share in this position.
Mujaddid Alf Thani also said that the blessed soul of Imam Ali was already established and busy in this position even before he came into this physical world in the beginning of time. Everyone who received spiritual blessings received them through Imam Ali because he is the center of this path.
When the time of Imam Ali came to an end, this great position was passed to Imam Hussain, and then after Imam Hussain, it passed to the 12 Imams one after another. Every Wali Allah and spiritual teacher guide received their spiritual blessings through the Imam of their time. The Imam was their ultimate shelter and source.
Then, when the time and era of the Sultan of all Aulia Allah,” the “Proof of the Pure Ones,” the “Helper of the Earth and Sky,” the “Helper of Jinn and Humans,” Sayyid Mohiuddin, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu) came, this great position was originally and genuinely given to him.
After this great Wali, no one else received this high position originally. So, the blessings of Allah reach all Aulia Allah of the past, present, and future through him and his mediation. This is what is pointed to in the first announcement:
“The suns of the earlier ones have set, but our sun will never set.”
This means his spiritual guidance and mediation will remain forever until the end of time.
Alhumdulillah Now, as we finish talking about this great Wali, it is very necessary to leave you with a clear and strong reminder. Always keep in mind that all the special events, miracles, and spiritual powers you hear about are only by the will and permission of Allah alone. The Aulia Allah cannot bring benefit or harm to anyone unless Allah allows them to do so. So, when you hear phrases like “my foot is on the neck of every Wali Allah” or “he comes to help anyone who calls him”, you must understand these as deep spiritual metaphors. They refer to his supreme rank of leadership among Aulia Allah and his quickness in making dua for them, not that he possesse we we
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 