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About Shaikh 'abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
radiiya'llahu 'anh - may Allah
The information presented here is copyright of Al-Baz Publshing Through the mists of legend surrounding the life of Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, it is possible to discern the outlines of the following biographical sketch: In A.H. 488, at the age of eighteen, he left his native province to become a student in the great capital city of Baghdaad, the hub of political, commercial and cultural activity, and the center of religious learning in the world of Islam.
The Shaikh's Life in Baghdaad Through the mists of legend surrounding
the life of Shaikh 'abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, it is possible to discern the
outlines of the following biographical sketch:
In A.H. 488, at the age of eighteen, he left his native
province to become a student in the great capital city of Baghdaad, the hub of
political, commercial and cultural activity, and the center of religious
learning in the world of Islam. After studying traditional sciences under
such teachers as the prominent Hanbalii jurist [faqiih], Abuu Sa'd 'alii
al-Mukharrimii, he encountered a more spiritually oriented instructor in the
saintly person of Abu'l-Khair Hammaad ad-Dabbaas.
Then, instead of embarking on his own professorial career, he
abandoned the city and spent twenty-five years as a wanderer in the desert
regions of 'Iraaq. He was over fifty years old by the time he returned to
Baghdaad, in A.H. 521/1127 C.E., 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. He moved
into the school [madrasa] belonging to his old teacher al-Mukharrimii, but the
premises eventually proved inadequate.
In A.H. 528, pious donations were applied to the construction
of a residence and guesthouse [ribaat], capable of housing the Shaikh and his
large family, as well as providing accommodation for his pupils and space for
those who came from far and wide to attend his regular sessions [majaalis].
He lived to a ripe old age, and continued his work until his
very last breath, as we know from the accounts of his final moments recorded in
the Addendum to Revelations of the Unseen.
In the words of Shaikh Muzaffer Ozak Efendi: "The
venerable 'abd al-Qadir al-Jilani passed on to the Realm of Divine Beauty in
A.H. 561/1166 C.E., and his blessed mausoleum in Baghdaad is still a place of
pious visitation. He is noted for his extraordinary spiritual experiences
and exploits, as well as his memorable sayings and wise teachings. It is
rightly said of him that 'he was born in love, grew in perfection, and met his
Lord in the perfection of love.' May the All-Glorious Lord bring us in
contact with his lofty spiritual influence!"
The Shaikh's Names and Titles A rich store of information about the
author of these discourses and Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of
Truth is conveniently available, to those familiar with the religious and
spiritual tradition of Islam, in his names, his surnames, and the many titles
conferred upon him by his devoted followers. It is not unusual for these
to take up several lines in an Arabic manuscript, but let us start with the
short form of the author's name as it appears on the cover and title page of
these books.
Shaikh - 'abd al-Qadir - Al-Jilani - Let us now consider a slightly longer version of the Shaikh's
name, as it occurs near the beginning of Al-Fath ar-Rabbaanii [The Sublime
Revelation]: Sayyidunaa 'sh-Shaikh Muhyi'd-Diin Abuu Muhammad 'abd
al-Qaadir (Radiya'llaahu 'anh).
Sayyidunaa 'sh-Shaikh - Muhyi'd-Diin - Abu Muhammad - Radiya'llaahu 'anh - Finally, we must note some important elements contained
within this even longer version: al-Ghawth al-A'zam Sultaan al-Awliyaa'
Sayyidunaa 'sh-Shaikh Muhyi'd-Diin 'abd al-Qaadir al-Jiilaanii al-Hasanii
al-Husainii (Radiya'llaahu 'anh).
Al-Ghawth al-A'zam - Sultaan al-Awliyaa' - al-Hasanii al-Husainii - As for the many other surnames, titles and honorific
appellations that have been conferred upon Shaikh 'abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, it
may suffice at this point to mention al-Baaz al-Ashhab [The Gray Falcon].
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