Syed Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Ghawth Al-Azam. Life-Legacy-Teachings
Who Was Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani?
Sayyidi Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani — may Allah be pleased with him — was a twelfth-century Islamic scholar, preacher, and spiritual master whose influence on the Muslim world has endured for over nine centuries.
Known throughout the Muslim world as Ghawth al-Azam (The Greatest Helper) and Muhyi al-Din (Reviver of the Religion), he is one of the most celebrated Awliya Allah (Friends of Allah) in Islamic history. He was a master of jurisprudence, a gifted preacher, and a towering figure of Tasawwuf — the science of purifying the heart.
He is the founder of the Qadiriyyah Sufi order — one of the oldest and most widespread Sufi orders in the world, with millions of followers across every continent. It is in his honour that Al-Qadriyyah takes its name.
KEY FACTS
Early Life & Noble Lineage
Full name: Sayyid Muhyi al-Din Abu Muhammad Abd al-Qadir ibn Abi Salih Musa Jangi Dost al-Jilani
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani was born in 470 AH (1077–78 CE) in the town of Nayf in the region of Gilan (Jilan), in what is today northern Iran — hence the name “al-Jilani.”
His lineage is among the most noble in Islam. From his father’s side, he traces his descent to Imam Hasan ibn Ali رضي الله عنه, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — making him a Hasani Sayyid. From his mother’s side, he descends from Imam Husayn ibn Ali رضي الله عنه — making him a Husayni Sayyid as well. He is thus a Sayyid through both parental lineages, tracing directly back to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
His mother, known for her piety and wisdom, shaped his character from an early age — it is famously narrated that before he departed for Baghdad, she sewed forty gold coins inside his garment and instructed him: “Never lie, whatever the consequence.” This lifelong commitment to truth (al-sidq) became one of his defining qualities.
Journey to Baghdad: Seeking Knowledge
At the age of eighteen, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani travelled from Gilan to Baghdad — then the heart of the Islamic world and the seat of the Abbasid Caliphate. He arrived with little worldly provision but an unshakeable commitment to seeking knowledge.
In Baghdad, he immersed himself in the Islamic sciences under the leading scholars of his time. He mastered:
- Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) — primarily the Hanbali school, with deep familiarity across all four madhabs
- Hadith — the sayings and traditions of the Prophet ﷺ
- Tafsir — Quranic exegesis and commentary
- Usul al-Din — the foundations of Islamic theology and belief
- Tasawwuf — the science of purifying the heart and drawing nearer to Allah
- Arabic language & literature
He was recognised by his teachers as a student of extraordinary intelligence, memory, and piety — and his reputation for scholarship grew rapidly throughout Baghdad.
After completing his formal studies, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani spent approximately twenty-five years in spiritual seclusion — wandering the deserts and ruins outside Baghdad in intense worship, dhikr, and mujahadah (spiritual struggle against the lower self). These years of withdrawal were the crucible in which his extraordinary spiritual station was forged.
His Character & Spiritual Station
Upon returning to Baghdad, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani began teaching and preaching publicly. The response was unlike anything the city had seen — scholars, students, and ordinary Muslims came in their thousands. His circles of learning drew people from across the Islamic world.
He held two daily sessions: one in the morning for scholars and students, and one in the afternoon open to the general public — demonstrating his belief that authentic Islamic knowledge should reach everyone. It is narrated that many Jews, Christians, and those who had strayed from Islam returned to the faith through hearing him speak.
Scholars who wrote about him are unanimous in praising his character. He was known for:
Complete Truthfulness
He never spoke falsehood his entire life — the quality his mother had instilled in him from childhood.
Extreme Generosity
He never turned away anyone who came to his door, giving away whatever he had in charity without hesitation.
Courage in Truth
He spoke plainly to rulers and scholars alike, never compromising on what was right out of fear or favour.
His spiritual station — Qutb al-Awliya (the Pole of the Saints) — is a matter of deep conviction for the Ahl al-Sunnah, who hold that Allah ︠ grants certain of His servants extraordinary nearness to Him. The title Ghawth al-Azam — the Greatest Helper — is used exclusively for Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani among all the Awliya of Islam.
His Major Works
Three works that remain widely read and taught in madrasas across the world to this day.
Futuh al-Ghayb
Revelations of the Unseen
78 powerful spiritual discourses on the inner life of the believer — from reliance on Allah (tawakkul) to the diseases of the heart and their cures.
Al-Fath al-Rabbani
The Sublime Revelation
62 discourses delivered in his madrasa and ribaat in Baghdad (545–546 AH), covering Islamic spirituality, character, and the path to Allah.
Al-Ghunya li-Talibin
Sufficient Provision for Seekers
A comprehensive encyclopaedic work covering Fiqh, Aqeedah, ethics, and Tasawwuf — intended as a complete guide for the Muslim seeking to live by Islam in its fullness.
The Qadiriyyah Silsilah
The Qadiriyyah Sufi order — named in honour of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani — is one of the oldest and most widespread spiritual orders in the world. Founded in Baghdad in the twelfth century, it spread rapidly through his students and descendants across the Islamic world, and today has millions of followers across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, and beyond.
The Qadiriyyah silsilah (chain of transmission) traces back through Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through an unbroken chain of spiritual masters. Those who follow this path receive initiation (bay’ah) and spiritual guidance aimed at purifying the heart and drawing closer to Allah ︠.
The order is known for its emphasis on: Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), love for the Prophet ﷺ and his family, service to humanity, and the cultivation of the highest moral character.
Al-Qadriyyah is named after this tradition. All of our educational and dawah work is conducted in the spirit of the Qadiriyyah path — combining authentic Islamic scholarship with spiritual refinement of the heart.
His Passing & Gyarvi Sharif
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani returned to Allah on the 11th of Rabi al-Thani, 561 AH (1166 CE), at the age of approximately 91 years. His blessed tomb is located in Baghdad, Iraq, and is visited by hundreds of thousands of Muslims every year who seek blessings (barakah) and pay their respects.
The 11th of Rabi al-Thani — known across the Muslim world as Gyarvi Sharif (“the eleventh” in Urdu) — is observed as a day of remembrance, Quran recitation, dhikr, and salawaat. It is one of the most widely observed days of spiritual commemoration in the Sunni world.
Nine centuries after his passing, the influence of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani remains extraordinary. His works are studied in madrasas across the world. His order continues to guide millions on the path of Islamic spirituality. His name is invoked with love and reverence by Muslims on every continent.
A Word from the Ghawth
“Whoever has Allah as his goal, the world comes to serve him. Whoever has the world as his goal, it gives him nothing of true value.”
— Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani born?
He was born in 470 AH (1077–78 CE) in the town of Nayf, in the region of Gilan, in what is today northern Iran.
When did Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani pass away?
He passed away on the 11th of Rabi al-Thani, 561 AH (1166 CE), in Baghdad, at the age of approximately 91 years.
What does “Ghawth al-Azam” mean?
“Ghawth al-Azam” means “The Greatest Helper” or “The Supreme Succour.” It is a title used exclusively for Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, reflecting his exalted spiritual station as the foremost Wali of his era.
What does “Muhyi al-Din” mean?
“Muhyi al-Din” means “Reviver of the Religion.” It was given to him because his preaching and teaching revived Islamic faith and practice at a time of widespread spiritual decline.
What is the Qadiriyyah order?
The Qadiriyyah is a Sufi spiritual order founded by Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. It is one of the oldest and most widespread Sufi orders in the world, with millions of followers worldwide. Its silsilah (chain of transmission) traces back through the Shaykh to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Where is Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani buried?
His blessed tomb is in Baghdad, Iraq. It remains one of the most visited sacred sites in the Muslim world, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year.
What is Gyarvi Sharif?
Gyarvi Sharif refers to the 11th of Rabi al-Thani — the date of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s passing. Muslims across the world observe this day with Quran recitation, dhikr, salawaat, and gatherings held in his memory.
Was Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani a Sayyid?
Yes. He was a Sayyid (descendant of the Prophet ﷺ) through both his paternal lineage (descending from Imam Hasan) and his maternal lineage (descending from Imam Husayn), making him both a Hasani and Husayni Sayyid.
Why is Al-Qadriyyah named after him?
Al-Qadriyyah takes its name from the Qadiriyyah Sufi order, which was founded by Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. All of our educational and dawah activities are rooted in his tradition of combining authentic Islamic knowledge with spiritual refinement of the heart.
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