in the Persian province of Gilan in 1078.
Abdul-Qadir Gilani was a sayyid and a sharif and was also known by the
names al-Ghawth al-Azam (the greatest helper and saint), Qutb
al-Rabbani (the devout Qutb), Sultan-al-Awliya (Sultan of all the
saints) and Qutb- al-Azam (the greatest Qutb).
Al-Gilani was well trained in the disciplines of the hadith,
jurisprudence and tasawwuf by some of the leading scholars in
Baghdad. He soon attaineda wide knowledge, and after completing his
education began preaching and teaching.
The lectures and sermons he gave in the madrassa of his teacher Abu
Said Mahzumi were so popular that the madrassa proved to be too small,
and the crowds overflowed onto the streets; the madrassa therefore
had to be enlarged, taking in houses in the surrounding area. The
people of Baghdad were of great assistance inthis enterprise, the
wealthy providing money,and the poor providing labor.
After teaching and describing the truth and the signs leading to faith
for a while, al-Gilani then abandoned teaching and preaching and
withdrew into seclusion. He later began living in the Baghdad ruins of
Kerh, spending all his time in worship.
The superior fame he won in a short space of time spread very rapidly,
and he became a leading scholar and imam of the time. Many scholars
also emerged from those who continued to attend his classes.
Al-Gilani was the sole authority on scholarship ofthe time, and taught
tasawwuf in a manner accessible to all. He began teaching and issuing
Islamic rulings at the age of 28 and continued until the age of 60.
Al-Gilani also gave his name to the "Qadiri" Sufi order. Thousands of
the students who studied under him then went on to preach Islam in a
number of different countries.
Abdul Qadir al-Gilani issued many warnings against heedlessness, thus
recalling people to their proper duty. Some of these are as follows:
"If these virtues are absentfrom someone who acts asa guide, then he
cannot bea guide. To be forgiving and cover up people's flaws, to be
affectionate and gentle, to speak the truth and be good, to command
what is good, toforbid evil, to be hospitable and worship at night
when others are asleep, to be scholarly andcourageous."
"Know that our life is an opportunity for so long as you are alive.
After a time, the door of life will be closed and you will departthis
world. Seize this opportunity while the door of repentance is open.
Strive to do good with all your might. Repent. Pray while you still
have the opportunity. Take the opportunity to be with virtuous
people."
Because of the way he hadan immediate effect on people he met,
al-Gilani was also known as "al-BazAllah"(the Falcon of Allah) and
"al-Baz al-Ashab" (TheFalcon Who Never Misses His Prey).
People who had repented their sins, repentant brigands, assassins,
sinnersand those with flawed religious beliefs, as well asJews and
Christians who had converted to Islam were often to be found at his
assemblies. It is relatedthat he was instrumental in more than 5.000
Jews and Christians embracing Islam, and in more than 100,000 thieves
and brigands repenting.
Abdul Qadir al-Gilani was of average stature, with broad shoulders, a
slim body and a ruddy complexion. He grew his hair long enough to
cover his shoulders. His voice was thick and majestic. He dressed very
well, and he would take nothing from anyone, not even his students.
AL-GILANI, A LOVER OF THE MAHDI, SAID THIS IN THE 60 TH COUNCIL OF
HISWORK AL FATH AR- RABBANI
"NOTHING CAN HOLD BACK WHOEVER LIVES TO SEE THIS PERSON FROM THE GATE
OF ALLAH, THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS. THE BANNER OF THE MAHDI CANNOT BE
LOWERED, HIS TROOPS CANNOT BE DEFEATED, HIS VOICE CRYING OUT THE TRUTH
CANNOT BE SILENCED, AND THERE CANBE NO BOUNDS TO THE SWORD OF
MONOTHEISM. HE WILL WALK WITH SINCERE STEPS AND NEVER TIRE AND NO WORK
CAN WEARY HIM. NO GATE CAN REMAIN CLOSED BEFORE HIM, NOR BE CLOSED
AFTER IT HAS OPENED. THE SHUTTERS OF ALL DOORS WILL FLY APART AND THEY
WILL OPEN UP ON ALL SIDES. NOBODY CAN STOP HIM UNTIL HE COMES INTO THE
PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH.
Al-Gilani spent 73 of his 91years in Baghdad. He lived to see five
Abbasid Caliphs.He spent his whole life teaching and waged a powerful
struggle on behalf of the truth.
By means of this holy work, Islam spread to many parts of Africa,
Indonesia, the Indian Ocean, Anatolia and many other regions, and its
pureand immaculate nature conquered many hearts.
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