Part 1 - Hazrat Ghause Saqalain Sayyid Abdul Qaadir (R.A)

HIS POSITION IN THE SILSILA: Maqbool-e-Bargahe Ilaahi, Gohar
Darya-e-Wilaayat, Qutbul Aqtaab, Fardul Ahbaab, Hazrat Abu Muhammad,
Sayyid Muhiyyudeen, Mahboob-e-Subhani Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi
Allaho anhu) is the seventeenth Imam and Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah
Qaaderiyah Barakaatiyah Razviyah Nooriyah.
BLESSED BIRTH: He was born on the eve of the 1st of Ramadaan 470
Hijriin the city of Gilan.
HIS BLESSED NAME: His blessed name was Sayyid Abdul Qaadir.
TITLES: His title was Abu Muhammad and he is famously known as
Muhiyyuddeen, Ghaus-e-Azam, Ghaus-e-Paak and Ghaus Piya (radi Allaho
anhu) etc. He is tarafain Sayyid (descendant of Imam Hassan and
Hussain)
HIS PARENTS : He was a descendant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
fromboth his mother's and father's side. His father's name was Sayyid
Abu Saleh Moosa (radi Allaho anhu) and his mother's name was Sayyida
Ummul Khair Faatima. (radi Allaho anhu)
HIS FEATURES: He was verywell built and of medium height. Broad chest,
a long broad beard, tan in color, joint eyebrows, strong voice, and of
beautiful character.
HIS FAMILY TREE: His familytree reaches Sayyiduna Ali-e-Murtaza (radi
Allahoanhu) from his father through 14 generations and through his
mother by 12 generations.
Hazrat Sayyiduna Abdur Rahmaan Jaami (radi Allaho anhu) said the
following concerning thegeneology of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) :
"He is an exalted King, who is known as Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu) . He is Sayyid from both his parents. Hassani from his father
and Hussaini from his mother."
Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa
(Salall Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
Sayyidatun Nisa Fathima Sayyiduna Ali-e-murtaza
Shaheed-e-karbala Imam Husain Sayyiduna Imam Hassan
Sayyiduna Imam Zainul Abedeen Sayyid Hassan Mathni
Imam Muhammad Baaqir Sayyid Abdul Mahdh
Sayyiduna Imam Jaafar Saadiq Sayyid Moosa Al Jawn
Sayyiduna Imam Moosa Kaazi Sayyid Abdullah Thaani
Sayyiduna Sheikh Ali Raza Sayyid Moosa Thaani
Sayyid Aboo Ala'ud'deen Sayyid Dawood
Sayyid Kamaalud'deen Esa Sayyid Muhammad
Sayyid Abul Ataa Abdulla Sayyid Yahya Az Zaahid
Sheikh Sayyid Mahmood Sayyid Abi Abdillah
Sayyid Muhammad Sayyid Abu Saaleh Moosa (Father)
Sayyid Aboo Jamaal
Sayyid Abdullah Soomee
Sayyida Ummul Khair Faatima (Mother)
Sayyiduna Muhiyyud'deen Abu Muhammad Adul Qaadir Jilaani
(Ridwaanullahi Ta Aala Alaihim Ajmaeen)
SHEIKHUL MASHA'IKH SAYYIDUNA JUNAID-E-BAGHDADI (radi Allaho anhu):
lived two hundredyears before Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu) foretold his coming in the following manner. Once while Hazrat
Junaid-e-Baghdaadi (radi Allaho anhu) 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 and 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 (radi Allaho anhu) and
histitle will be Muhiyyuddeen. He will beborn in Jilaan and he
willreside in Baghdad. One day, on the command of Allah, he will say,
'My footis on the shoulders of all the Awliyah Allah.' While in my
spiritual condition, I saw his excellence and these words were uttered
by me without my control."
IMAM HASSAN ASKARI (radiAllaho anhu): Sheikh Abu Muhammad (radi Allaho
anhu) states that before his demise, Imam Hassan Askari handed his
Jubba (Cloak) over to SayyidunaImam Maaroof Karghi (radi Allaho anhu)
and asked him to pass it over to Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu). Hazrat Imam Maroof Karghi (radi Allaho anhu) passed this Cloak
over to Sayyiduna Junaid-e-Baghdaadi (radiAllaho anhu), who in
turnpassed it over to Sheikh Danoori and it was then passed down until
it reached Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) in the year 497
Hijri. (Makhzanul Qaaderiah)
SHEIKH ABU BAKR BIN HAWWAAR (radi Allaho anhu) lived before the time
of Huzoor Ghuas-e-Azam. And was amongst the distinguished Mashaaikh of
Baghdaad. Once while sitting in his majlis, he said, "There are seven
Aqtaab of Iraq: 1. Sheikh Maaroof Karghi (radi Allaho anhu) 2.Hazrat
Imam Amad bin Hambal (radi Allaho anhu) 3. Hazrat Bishr Haafi (radi
Allaho anhu) 4. Sheikh Mansoor bin Amaar (radi Allaho anhu) 5.
SayyidunaJunaid Baghdaadi (radi Allaho anhu) 6. Hazrat Sahl bin
Abdullah Tastari (radi Allaho anhu) 7. Hazrat Abdul Qaadir Jeeli (radi
Allaho anhu) ." On hearing this, Sayyidi Abu Muhammad (radi Allaho
anhu), who was a mureed of Sheikh Abu Bakr (radi Allaho anhu) asked,
"We have heard and know six of these names, but the seventh, we have
not heard of. O Sheikh! Who is Abdul Qaadir Jeeli."
Sheikh Abu Bakr (radi Allaho anhu) replied by saying, "Abdul Qaadir
(radi Allaho anhu) 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
Baghdaad." [Bahjatul Asraar]
SHEIKH KHALEEL BALKHI (radi Allaho anhu): He is agreat Wali-Allah and
had passed away before the time of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu). Once while 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 Awliyah Allah." [Azkaarul Abraar]
IMAM MUHAMMAD BIN SAEED ZANJANI (radi Allaho anhu) stated as follows
in his distinguished work Nuzhatul Khawatir: AFromthe era of Hazrat
Abi Ali Hassan Yasaarajuwi (radi Allaho anhu) , up to the era of
Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani (radi Allahoanhu) , every Wali that passed
this earth, foretold the coming and the excellence of Hazrat
Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) @ [NuzhatulKhawatir]
HIS BLESSED BIRTH: There are two narrations concerning the date of
birth of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu). The first narrationis
that he was born on the first of Ramadaan 470Hijri and the second is
that he was born on the eve of the second of Ramadaan 470. The second
narration seems to be the one more favoured amongst the learned
scholars. The birth of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam was a great blessing to
the Ummah asit was not only the birth of a child, but it was the
coming of the King of theAwliyah, which had been foretold for
centuries before his birth. Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) was
blessed to his mother at an age when women are usually unable to have
children. Sayyida Ummul Khair Faatima (radi Allaho anhu) was sixty
years old when Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) was born.
This alone was one of the astonishing incidents relating to the birth
of the Great Saint.
MIRACULOUS EVENTS SURROUNDING HIS BLESSEDBIRTH: Apart from this, there
were various other miraculous events which surrounded the birth of
Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam. Hazrat Sayyiduna Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi
Allaho anhu) quoted the following five miracles (Karamaat) which
surrounded the birth of Ghaus-e-Azam, in his distinguished book,
Manaqib-e-Ghausia:
(1). On the eve of the birth of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu), his father, Sayyidi Abu Saalaeh, saw in his dream, the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) who gave him the
following glad tiding: "O Abu Saaleh! Almighty Allah has blessed you
with a pious son. He is my beloved and the beloved of Almighty Allah
and he is the most exalted amongst the Awliya and Aqtaab."
(2). When he was born, he had the impression of the footprint of
Rasoolullah (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) on his shoulder. This alone
was the proof of his Wilaayah.
(3). Almighty Allah gave glad tidings to his parents in their dream
that their son would be the Sultaanul Awliyah and those who oppose him
would be mislead (Gumraah).
(4). On the eve of his birth approximately eleven hundred males were
born in Jilaan and every one of them a Wali Allah.
(5). He was born on the eve of Ramadaan. During the entire month of
Ramadaan between Sehriand Iftaar, 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 blessed mother says that he would never
cry for milk the entire day and would only take milk at the time of
Iftaar. Subhaanallah!
DEMISE OF HIS FATHER : After the demise of his father, he was taken
under the care of his illustrious grandfather Hazrat Abdullah Soomee,
the very same personalitywho was responsible for the marriage of the
parents of the Great Saint. He took Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam under his wing
and blessed him with gems of spiritualism. He molded the Great Saint
from childhood into the personality that he was to be. He nurtured him
with gentleness and showered him with words of wisdom.
VOICE FROM THE UNSEEN: Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) was not
like other children who spent their time playing and fooling around.
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 from the unseen a voice would be heard to say, "Come Towards Me O
Blessed one" At first, on hearing this voice, he would become afraid
and go to his mother and sit on her lap. As the time passed, he became
accustomed to this voice, and instead of going to his mother, he would
abandon the thought of playing and occupy himself in the remembrance
of Allah.
COMMENCEMENT OF ACADEMIC STUDIES: When Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) was four and a half years old, and according to certain
narrations, five years old,his mother enrolled him into a local
Madrassah in Jilaan. He thus commenced his early education at this
Madrassah. He remained in this Madrassah until the age of ten. During
this period a certain amazing event occured. Whenever Huzoor
Ghaus-e-Azam would enter the Madrassah he would see bright figures
walking ahead of him saying, "Give way to the Friend of Allah" His son
Sayyidi Abdur Razzaq (radi Allahoanhu) reports that once Hazrat
Ghaus-e-Paak (radi Allaho anhu) was asked when he first cameto know of
his Wilaayah and Hazrat Ghaus-e-Paak (radi Allaho anhu) answered by
saying, "When I was ten years old, I found Angels walking beside me on
myway to the Madrassah, and when we reached the Madrassah 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
Wilaayah."
DEMISE OF SAYYIDI ABDULLAH SOOM'EE (radi Allaho anhu): Hazrat
Ghaus-e-Paak (radi Allahoanhu) was still a student at the Madrassah in
Baghdaad when his grandrather Hazrat Abdullah Soom'ee (radi Allaho
anhu) journeyed from this world to the Hereafter. After the demise of
his grandfather, the responsibility of his education fell to his
blessed mother. With patience, sincerity and dedication, she fulfilled
this responsibility that had been blessed to her. Once, while Huzoor
Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) was about eighteen years old. he went
out of his house fora stroll. He walked in the streets of Jilaan and
found an ox in front of him. He walked behind it for some time. Then
the animal turned around, and in the language of humans said, "You
have not been created for this and you have not been commanded to do
this." On hearing this, he immediately returned home and explained
this incident to his mother. He then requested permission to journey
to Baghdaad in order to complete his academic studies and seek more
spiritual knowledge. His mother, without a second thougth who wasnow
seventy eight years old, acceded to this noblerequest.
HIS MOTHER'S ADVICE: So, in her old age, Sayyida Ummul Khair Faatima
(radi Allaho anhu) said farewell to her eldest sonSayyiduna Abdul
Qaadir Jilaani (radi Allaho anhu).It was that time in her life, where
parents usually depend on their children for moral and financial
support, but thispious and pure servant ofAllah wanted only the
pleasure of Allah and His Rasool (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam). Whilst
she was very attached to Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu),
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 etc.
and the roads passed throughdense jungles and forests. There was
alwaysa real danger of travelersbeing robbed and killed. Knowing all
this, she still supported his request and wished him well with her
duas. 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 duas will always be
with you. May Almighty Allah grant you success in your quest for
academic and spiritaul knowledge." She then said, "Your Marhoom father
left eighty Dinaars,from which I am giving forty dinaars to you, for
your journey and forty dinaars I will keep for your younger brother
Sayyid Abu Ahmad Abdullah." She took the forty dinaars and sewed them
under the arm of his coat. She once again made dua for him and
onbidding himfarewell gave him the following advice, "O my beloved
son! Let this advice whichI am about to give you bean important part
of yourlife. Always speak the truth! Dont even think of lies."
On hearing this Huzoor Ghuas-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) said, "My dear
mother! I promise from my heart, that I will always act upon your
advice." Sayyida Faatima (radi Allaho anhu) 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
Protecter." The journey toBaghdaad began.
ADHERENCE TO HIS MOTHER'S ADVICE: After bidding farewell to his
mother, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu), joined a caravan which
was on its way to Baghdaad. In those days, people travelled in groups
for the sake of safety. The caravan of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) reached the city of Hamdaan without incident. After
leaving Hamdaan, they journeyed further. Their journey took them into
a vast forest, where they were attacked by sixty robbers. The leader
of this band of robbers was a very notorious bandit called Ahmad
Badwi. The travellers did not have the means to defend themselves
against the robbers and were forced to surrender their belongings and
valuablesto them. After looting thetravellers, the robbers gathered
all the loot and began to distribute the it amongst themselves. While
all this was happening, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) was
standing very calmly amongst the travellers. Regarding him as just a
young boy, none of the robbers approached him,until one of them
decided to approach him.He went up to Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho
anhu) and asked ifhe had anything valuable. Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) replied by saying that he had in his possession forty
dinaars. On hearing this the robber laughed at Ghaus-e-Azam and walked
away, thinking that he was lying. After some time another of the
robbers asked him the same question and recieved the same answer. He
too dismissed this statement of Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) as a
joke. When the robbers had gathered, then both these robbers began to
joke about the young boy who thought he had forty dinaars. On hearing
their discussion, their leader Ahmed Badawi asked them to bring
Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) to him.When the Great Saint
wasbrought before Ahmed Badawi, he asked whether he had any valuables
in his possession, and the Saint replied in the same way as before.
When Ahmed Badawi heard this, he asked for the forty dinaars. Huzoor
Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) calmly showed them where the dinaars
were hidden. On tearing open the coat of Ghaus-e-Azam, they found that
there were really forty dinaars sewn under the arm of the coat. On
seeing this, Ahmed Badawi and his accomplices were taken aback. Ahmed
Badawi then asked, "O Young man! None of us knew that you had any
money. Knowing we are are bandits, why did you still tell us where the
money was hidden?"
The young Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) repliedby 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."
On hearing this, Ahmed Badawi felt great shame and in tears said, "O
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 Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) and repented for
his sins. When his accomplices saw this, then 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 of these bandits was so sincere, that
they were blessed with Wilaayah, through the sadqa of
Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu). Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) personally stated, "This was the first tauba that a group
of mislead persons had made at my hands."
GHAUS-E-AZAM ENTERS BAGHDAAD: The City of Baghdaad was blessed with
the feet of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) in the year 488
Hijri. Upon arrival in Baghdaad Shareef, the great Saint had already
spent the forty dirhams given to him by his mother. 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. There he
found that there were already seventy Awliyah Allah in search of
Halaal food. Seeing this, he did not wish to be in their way and thus
returned toBaghdaad Shareef. On hisway back, he met a traveller from
Jilaan. The traveller, on hearing that Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) was from Jilan, asked if he knew a yound man by the name
of Abdul Qaadir. Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) informed him
that he was Abdul Qaadir. The traveller then handed a block of gold to
Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) saying that it had been sent
to him by his mother. On hearing this, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu) immediatelymade the Shukr of Almighty Allah, and then
returned to the Arcade ofChosroes, where he presented most of the gold
to the Awliyah Allah that were in search of food. He then took a
littlefor himself, and returned to Baghdaad. On returning to Baghdaad,
He prepared meals and fed the poor and then shared this meal with
them. SubnanAllah! This alone shows the character of the Great Saint,
that even though he was without food, he first gave most of his gold
to the Awliyah Allah,then fed the poor, beforehe himself ate anything.
Without doubt this is the sign of a true servant of Allah. It was in
this manner that the life of Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu)
commenced in the Holy City of Baghdaad.
DISTINGUISHED TEACHERS: After a few days in Baghdaad Shareef, Hazrat
Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) enrolled for academic studies at the
famous Jaamia Nizaamia. During this time, this Jaamia wasthe centre of
learning and spiritualism for the entire world. Jaamia Nizaamia was
blessed by Teachers of great calibre and piety. He studied with great
sincerity and dedication. Amongst his Teachers were : Abul Wafa Ali
bin Aqeel , Abu Ghaalib Muhammad bin Hassan Baaqilaani, Abu Zakariyah
Yahyaa bin Ali Tabrezi, Abu Saeed bin Abdul Kareem, Abul Anaaim
Muhammad bin Ali bin Muhammad, Abu Saeed bin Mubaarak Makhzoomi, and
Abul Khair Hamaad bin MuslimAl Dabbas (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim
ajmaeen). He attained knowledge in the following subjects from the
above mentioned Ulama: Qirat, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Shariah and
Tareeqat etc.Not only did He attain knowledge in these subjects, but
he excelled in every one of them.
In the field of Adab, his teacher was Allama Abu Zakariyah Tabrezi,
who was a great Aalim of his time. He was also the author of various
kitaabs such as: Tafseerul Quraan Wal Eraab; Sharah Qasaaidul Ashr and
Sharah Diwaan Abi Tamaam. In the field of Fiqh and Usool-e-Fiqh,
hisUstaads were: Sheikh Abul Wafa bin Aqeel Hambali, Abul Hassan
Muhammad bin Qaazi Abul Ulaa, Sheikh Abul Khataab Mahfooz Hambali,
Qaazi Abu SaeedMubaarak bin Ali Makhzoomi Hambali.(ridwaanullahi ta
aala alaihim ajmaeen).
In the field of Hadith, he attained knowledge fromthe following Ulama:
Sayyidi Abul Barkaat Talhaa Al Aaqooli, Abul Anaim Muhammad bin Alibin
Maimoon Al Farsi, AbuUthmaan Ismaeel bin Muhammad Al Isbihaani, Abu
Ghaalib Muhammad bin Hassan Al Baaqilaani, Abu Muhammad Jaafar bin
Ahmad binil Husainil, Sayyidi Muhammad Mukhtaar Al Haashmi, Sayyidi
Abu Mansoor Abdur Rahmaan Al Qazzaaz, Abul Qaasim Ali bin Ahmad
Bannaan Al Karghi, Abu Taalib Abdul Qaadir bin Muhammad bin Yusuf
(ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen).
After intense studies, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu)
qualified from Jaamia Nizaamia. During this time, there was no Aalim
who was more knowledgable and pious than Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allaho anhu).
HARDSHIPS FACED DURING STUDIES: While studing in Baghdaad, he faced
various hardships and was tested severely by the life of Baghdaad.
Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) himself used to say, "The
hardship and difficulties that I faced in Baghdaad during my studies
were so severe, that if they hadto be placed on a mountain, then even
the mountain would split in two." He further used to say, "When the
hardships and difficulties would become ubearable, then Iwould lay on
the ground 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 tranquility and peace."
After adjourning from classes, He used to wander into the jungles and
forests of Baghdaad, where he would spend the entire night in the Zikr
of Almighty Allah. This he did regardless of the weather conditions or
season. If he become tired and weak, then 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, then he would go towards the river Euphrates and eat
whatever vegetables he could find beside the river. He always said
that he gained much pleasurein this way of life and it caused him to
gain closeness to Almighty Allah.
ATTAINMENT OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE: After completion of Academic
studies, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) did not cease in
hisquest for indept spiritual knowledge. To quech thisspiritual
thirst, Almighty Allah presented him with the opportunity of coming
under the guidance of Sheikh Hammaad bin Muslim Ad Dabbaas (radi
Allaho anhu) who was amongst the superior Mashaaikh of
Baghdaad-e-Muqaddas. Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) states,
that there came a time in Baghdaad when there was abundance of fitna
and fasaad (fighting and trouble). Since he did notwant any part of
this, he decided to leave Baghdaad-e-Muqaddas for a more peaceful
enviroment. Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) says, "I made my
intention to leave Baghdaad due to the unsuitable conditionsand was on
my way out of Baghdaad, when from the unseen, some great strength
pushed me so hard, that I fell to the ground. Then from the unseen I
heard a voice say, 'Do not leave here. The creation of Allah will gain
benefit via you.' On hearing this I said, What do I have to do with
the people? All 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 then immediately changed my
mind and for the pleasure of Allah, I remained in Baghdaad. 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 Abdul 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 forsome time and then realised
that I had made a grave error, this personwas a Wali, if not, then he
would have not known of what had happened the previous day. I went in
search of his door, but was unsuccessful. After this, I would look for
him where ever I went, until one day I saw him in a Majlis and from
then on I stayed in his company. This personality was Sayyidi Hammaad
bin Muslim AdDabbaas (radi Allaho anhu)."
Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam gained deep spiritual knowledge from this
distinguished personality. Sheikh Hammaad was originally from Syria
and was born in a village near Damascus. He journeyed to Baghdaad and
lived in a place called Muzaffariyyah until he left this mundane world
to travel into the hereafter in the year 525 Hijri. His blessed Mazaar
is in the Shawneezia Cemetry in Baghdaad. Apart from Sayyidi Hammaad
(radi Allaho anhu), Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) also
gained spiritual education from Sheikh Abu Saeed Mubaarak Makhzoomi
(radi Allaho anhu). This will be detailed a little later in this book.
HIS STRIVING & ENDURANCEIN THE PATH OF ALLAH: By the year 496 Hijri,
Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-Azam (radi Allahuy anhu) had completed his academic
and spiritual studies. After this, he began Mujahaahida and Riyazaat
(spiritual exercises and endeavors in the path of Allah). He continued
these spiritual exercised from the 496 Hijri until the year 592 Hijri;
a period of twenty five years. During these twenty five years, he
engrossed himself in suchintense 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 "Fanafir Rasool and Fana Filllah". He was
now totally drowned in the sea of love of Allah and His Rasool (Sall
Allaho alaihi wasallam). 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 and if recorded,
then this alone would form volumes. To give us some appreciation of
his spiritual condition during these twenty five years, a few
incidents arequoted hereinunder.
SUPPRESSING HIS NAFS: Once while delivering a lecture, Huzoor
Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) said, "For twenty five years, I roamed
the jungles of Iraq. For forty years, performed my Fajr Salaah with
the wudhu of Esha and for fifteen 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 andforty days without eatingeven
a morsel." Hazrat Abul Masood bin Abu Bakr Hareemi (radi Allahoanhu)
reports that Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam (radi Allaho anhu) 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 sodrowned 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 and he would certify
me dead. Thinking that I wasdead, they would prepare for my ghusl
andkaffan. When they wouldplace me on the bathing board to give me
ghusl, then I used to awake from this spiritual condition and walk
away." - (tobe continued)

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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