Sheikh Abdulqadr Jilani's turba in Baghdad
Sayyed Muhyiddin Abu Muhammad Abdulqadr Al-Jilani Al-Hassani Wal-Hussaini, called the Sultan Al-Awliya, Ghaus-e-Aazam and Jangi Dust, was born 11 Rabi al-Thani 470 A.H. or 1078 C.E. in Gilan in Persia. From his father's side he was 'Hassani' and from his mother's side 'Hussaini', meaning he was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad – PBUH – via Ali and Fatima and both their children Hassan and Hussain.
His first name 'Muhyiddin' means 'Reviver of Religion' and 'Abdulqadr' means 'Servant of the Able'.
Abdulqadr was educated in Baghdad where he studied Law and Hadith, as well as being trained in Tasawwuf, the Sufi Tradition.
After the completion of his education he left Baghdad and spent 25 years as a reclusive wandering dervish in the desert regions of Iraq. He returned to Baghdad in 1127 C.E. and began to teach: in the mornings Hadith and Tafsir, and in the afternoons Sufism, the Path of the Heart.
Abdulqadr was one of the rare teachers who reconciled exoteric religion with esoteric mysticism. His books include FUTUH AL-GHAIB (Revelations of the Unseen), which are 78 powerful and to the point discourses – AL-FATH AR-RABBANI (The Sublime Revelations), 62 somewhat longer discourses given in Baghdad between 545-546 A.H. - KITAB SIRR AL-ASRAR WA MAZHAR AL-ANWAR (The Book of the Secret of the Secrets and the Manifestation of Light), as well as numerous other works.
Maulana Abdulqadr Jilani passed away – aged 89 years according to the Islamic lunar calendar – in 561 A.H. (1166 C.E.). His shrine is located in Baghdad on the East bank of the Tigris. The Qadiriyya Sufi Tariqa received its name from Abdulqadr. It is one of the big main Sufi Orders, next to the Chishtis and Naqshbandis, for example. The Urs or Wisal is the passing away date – called the Wedding Feast with the Beloved. Abdulqadr's Urs falls in 2015 on Feb. 1 of the Gregorian calendar. His spiritual impact went way beyond Tariqa borders and is still felt today on a global scale. For example in Morocco it is quite common among the syncretic Gnaoua Brotherhoods to invoke the Baraka of Abdulqadr Jilani before starting a Leila, a spiritual night with trance music and dance for cleaning and healing purposes.
Maulana Abdulqadr Jilani is one of the very important figures of the Sufi Tradition, respected and loved by many dervishes and Sufis worldwide. He was reported to have a tremendous Baraka and special spiritual powers that gave rise to numerous inspirational stories and tales.
Ishq bashad, saludos con Dios, Rahal Eks
