Abd al-Qadir al-Gillani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ʿHazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani رضي الله عنه |
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|---|---|
| Venerated in | All of Sunni Islam, but particularly in the Hanbali and Shafi'i school (Salafi Sunnis honor rather than venerate him). |
| Major shrine | Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani, Baghdad, Iraq |
| Major works | Ghunya Li Talib Al Haqq, Futuh Ul Ghayb,Fath Rabbani and Sirr Ul Asraar |
ʿAbd al-Qādir Gīlānī was an important Sunni Muslim scholar and spiritual leader. He was a preacher, mystic, and theologian. He is famous for starting the Qadiriyya Sufi order. A Sufi order is like a spiritual group within Islam.
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Who Was Abdul Qadir Gilani?
Abdul Qadir Gilani was born around 1077 CE in Gilan, Iran. He passed away in 1166 CE in Baghdad, Iraq. He was a Persian scholar who followed the Hanbali school of Islamic law. The Qadiriyya Sufi order is named after him. Some historical studies suggest he might have been born in a village called Gilan in Iraq, near Baghdad.
What His Name Means
His name Muhiyudin means "reviver of religion." Gilan or al-Jilani refers to his birthplace. He was also called Baghdadi because he lived and was buried in Baghdad. The name al-Hasani wa'l-Husayni shows that he was believed to be a descendant of both Hasan and Husayn, who were grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad. His father was also a respected saint known as Jangi Dost, meaning "who loves God."
His Journey to Knowledge
Abdul Qadir Gilani spent his early life in Gilan. When he was 18, in 1095, he traveled to Baghdad. Baghdad was a major center for learning at that time. There, he studied Islamic law, especially the Hanbali school. He also learned about Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) and Sufism, which is the mystical side of Islam.
After finishing his studies, Gilani spent about 25 years living alone in the deserts of Iraq. He focused on spiritual practices during this time.
What He Studied in Baghdad
When he was 18, Gilani went to Baghdad to study Islamic law (called fiqh). He learned from many important teachers. Here are some of the subjects he studied and his teachers:
| Subject | Teacher |
|---|---|
| Fiqh (Islamic Law) | Ibn Aqil, Abu Al Hasan Muhammad ibn Qazi Abu Yala, Abu Al Khatab Mahfuz Hanbali, Muhammad ibn Al Husnayn, Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhrami |
| Tasawwuf (Sufism) | Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhrami, Abu'l-Khair Hammad ibn Muslim al-Dabbas, Abu Zakariya ibn Yahya ibn Ali Al Tabrezi |
| Hadith (Prophet's Sayings) | Abu Bakr ibn Muzaffar, Muhammad Ibn Al Hasan Baqalai Abu Sayeed, Muhammad ibn Abdul Kareem, Abu Al Ghanaem Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ali Ibn Maymoon Al Farsi, Abu Bakr Ahmad Ibn Al Muzaffar, Abu Jafer Ibn Ahmad Ibn Al Hussain Al Qari, Abu Al Qasim Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Banaan Al Karkhi, Abu Talib Abdul Qadri Ibn Muhammad Yusuf, Abdul Rahman Ibn Ahmad Abu Al Barkat Hibtaallah Ibn Al Mubarak, Abu Al Nasr Ibn Il Mukhtar, Abu Nasr Muhammad, Abu Ghalib Ahmad, Abu Abdullah Aulad Ali Al Bana, Abu Al Hasan Al Mubarak Ibn Al Teyvari, Abu Mansur Abdurahman Al Taqrar |
His Later Life and Teachings
In 1127, Abdul Qadir Gilani returned to Baghdad. He started teaching and preaching to the public. He joined the school of his own teacher, al-Mazkhzoomi. Students really liked his lessons.
In the mornings, he taught about Hadith and tafsir (explaining the Quran). In the afternoons, he talked about spiritual matters and the importance of the Quran. He was known as a very good speaker. Many people, including some Jews and Christians, were inspired by his teachings and became Muslims. He was skilled at bringing together the spiritual ideas of Sufism with the strict rules of the Quran.
His Passing and Burial Place
Abdul Qadir Gilani passed away on February 21, 1166 CE. He was 91 years old according to the Islamic calendar. He was buried in a special shrine inside his school in Baghdad, Iraq. This shrine is located on the east bank of the Tigris River.
Over time, his shrine was damaged, but it was later rebuilt. In 1535, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had a dome built over the shrine. This dome still stands today.
Celebrations of His Life
Some people celebrate Abdul Qadir Gilani's birthday on the 1st of Ramadan. His death anniversary is often observed on the 11th of Rabi us Thani. In some places, like the Indian subcontinent, his death anniversary is called Giyarwee Shareef. This means "Honoured Day of the 11th."
His Books
Abdul Qadir Gilani wrote several important books. These books share his wisdom and teachings on Sufism and Islamic knowledge.
- Kitab Sirr al-Asrar wa Mazhar al-Anwar (This means "The Book of the Secret of Secrets and the Manifestation of Light")
- Al-Ghunya li-talibi tariq al-haqq wa al-din (This means "Sufficient provision for seekers of the path of truth and religion")
- Futuh al-Ghaib (This means "Revelations of the Unseen")
- Al-Fath Al-Rabbani (This means "Openings from the Lord")
- Malfuzat (This means "Utterances")
See Also
- Jilala
- Moinuddin Chishti
