Sultan ul Faqr III

THE KING OF ALL SAINTS

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd - Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani

Ghaus e Azam - The Greatest Helper

Ghaus e Azam Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) adorns the status of Sultan ul Faqr 3rd. His grandeur in the world of Sufism and Faqr is unquestionable and revered by all. He possessed the most dignified virtues, unmatched attributes and an unparalleled status.

Undoubtedly, Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani is the king and leader of all Saints and Sufis. All the Saints obey him and seek guidance and bounties from him, whether from jinn or mankind.

قَدَمِیْ ھٰذِہٖ عَلٰی رَقَبَۃٍ کُلِّ اَوَلِیِّ اللّٰہِ

"My foot is over the neck of every Saint!"

Ghaus e Azam

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd - The Greatest Helper

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

Ghaus e Azam (al-Ghawth al-Azam/ Ghaus e Azam) is the title of Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani which means 'the greatest helper'.

1st RAMADAN 470 HIJRI

Birth of a Saint

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani was born on Friday, the first of Ramadan in 470 Hijri (1078 AD). His lineage goes back to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) from the paternal as well as the maternal side. His father Abu Saleh Musa Jangi was a Sayyid from the progeny of Hasan ibn Ali. While his mother Umm-ul-Khair was a Sayyid from the progeny of Husayn ibn Ali.

Hence, he got the heritage of Faqr from Prophet Mohammad through blood as well as the soul. Abdul Qadir's father died in his childhood. Thereafter, his mother and maternal grandfather Abdullah Somai brought him up. Both of them owned the highest status of sainthood, hence nurturing Abdul Qadir with spirituality as well.

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"Born on the night of the first Ramadan he did not take feed from dawn until sunset. This miracle continued throughout the month. Next year's appearance of the moon during Ramadan was doubtful due to clouds. It was the 29th of Shaban. The next day when infant Abdul Qadir did not take milk his mother understood that it was the first of Ramadan."

Early Miracles Historical Accounts

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"When I was ten years old I used to go to a religious school. On the way I used to see angels around me. When I would reach the school I would hear them saying, 'Let the beloved friend of Allah sit! Leave place for him'. When this happened many times, I became sure that Allah has blessed me with the honourable status of His friend."

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Childhood Spiritual Experience

Education and Spiritual Journey

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani had learnt eighteen chapters of the Holy Quran in womb of his mother. At the age of four years his preliminary education started. By the age of ten he had grasped the basic knowledge of all fields.

488 HIJRI

Journey to Baghdad

For further education he went to Baghdad in 488 Hijri and got admission in Madrasah Al-Nizamiyya. Abu Al-Wafa bin Aqeel, Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Ali Tabrizi, Abu Saeed bin Abdul Kareem, Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi and Abu Al-Khair Hammad bin Muslim Dabbas were some of his honourable teachers.

Ghaus e Azam accomplished in all branches of religious knowledge in just eight years (488 H to 496 H) of his stay in Baghdad. He mastered in exegesis of Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, Hadiths, mysticism, Faqr and much more. None of his contemporary scholars were peer to him in any regard.

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"When young Abdul Qadir was leaving for Baghdad, his mother advised him to always speak truth. She gave him forty dinars as provision for journey. Abdul Qadir joined a caravan, on the way dacoits attacked the caravan..."

Story of Truthfulness Historical Tradition

The dacoits were so astonished by his truthfulness that their chief said: "Boy why did not you try to save your money from us?" Abdul Qadir said, "My mother advised me to always speak the truth. How could I disobey my mother for just forty dinars?" These words made the chief tremble with fear of Allah. He at once repented and left dacoity, his companions joined him in repentance. Afterwards this entire group exalted to sainthood.

INTENSE DEVOTIONS AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES

After completing education Sultan ul Faqr 3rd practised hard devotions and mystic exercises for twenty five years for esoteric accomplishment. He went through unbearable endeavours to break the veil of innerself and attain highest degree of Oneness with Allah.

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"I had been wandering in the wilderness of Iraq for twenty five years. Offered the dawn salat with ablution done for night salat and continued this practice for forty years. Moreover, for fifteen years I had been reciting the whole Quran in the night salat standing on one leg. Usually I spent thirty to forty days without eating or drinking anything."

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Spiritual Struggles

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"If a mountain had to suffer the hardships I have gone through, it would have burst. When troubles became intolerable for me, I would lie on earth and recite the verse: 'Certainly with hardship will be ease. Indeed with hardship will be ease.' (Al-Inshirah 5-6)"

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Perseverance in Devotion

3 YEARS

Meeting with Khidr

Ghaus e Paak narrated that he met a celestial person while he was wandering in the deserts of Iraq. He asked Abdul Qadir, "Do you want to be with me?" He replied yes. The person said, "Alright then promise to obey me." Ghaus e Azam promised. Then he said, "Stay here until I come back." Ghaus e Azam engrossed himself in worships and waited for one year.

After three years he appeared with bread and milk and said, "Well done O pious young man! My name is Khidr and I have been ordered to have this bread and milk with you."

Spiritual Authority and Guidance

After eight years of mastering in all forms of intellects and afterwards cleansing his innerself by spiritual endeavours for twenty-five years, it was time that Abdul Qadir entered a Sufi order. Hence, according to the Almighty's will, he took oath of allegiance at the hand of Shaikh Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi.

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"Each morsel which I ate from my spiritual guide's hand enlightened my soul. Then his spiritual guide presented him the cloak of sainthood and said, 'O Abdul Qadir! The Holy Prophet gave this cloak to Ali ibn Abi Talib. He gave it to Hasan of Basra and finally it reached me transferring from one spiritual guide to the other.'"

Spiritual Initiation Historical Record

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"Once, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani was with him. When he left for a while Shaikh Abu Saeed said to his other disciples, 'Remember! One day this youth's feet will be on the neck of all Saints. And all Saints of his age will stand humble before him.'"

Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzoomi Prophecy about Ghaus e Azam

THRONE OF SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

521 HIJRI

Beginning of Spiritual Guidance

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani had attained ultimate heights of Divine closeness. Now, it became his obligation to guide people on the path to Allah. In 521 Hijri he adorned the throne of spiritual guidance and persuasion by the order of the Holy Prophet.

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"I saw the Holy Prophet in a dream who said to me, 'Abdul Qadir! Why don't you preach and guide people to save them from depravity?' I replied, 'Prophet of Allah! I am a non-Arab. How can I speak before the eloquent Arabs!' The Prophet said, 'Open your mouth.' I obeyed. The Prophet put his saliva seven times in my mouth and ordered me, 'Go! Preach and guide umma and call them towards the path to Allah.'"

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Divine Command to Preach

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"The sermons of Sultan ul Faqr 3rd were like a raging ocean of wisdom. Its divine effects would engulf many in a state of spiritual ecstasy. Some would tear their clothes and others became unconscious. Often one or two people in his sermons lost not only their consciousness but their lives as well."

Historical Accounts Impact of Sermons

GRANDEUR AND SPIRITUAL STATUS

غوث الاعظمؓ درمیان اولیا
چوں محمدؐ درمیان انبیا

"Ghaus e Azam has got the same status among Saints as Mohammad has got among Prophets."

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"After Ali ibn Abi Talib starts a series of Sufis and Saints. Most powerful and superior to them all is Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. He travelled the mystic path with utmost excellence through actual Awaisi way. That is why he is believed to be as powerful in his grave as he was when alive."

Shah Waliullah Dehlawi Hama'at

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"Sultan ul Faqr 3rd is the vicegerent and heir of the Holy Prophet. The key of both worlds is in his custody as he is the beloved of Allah."

Sultan Bahoo Ain-ul-Faqr

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"Everyone who attained sainthood, mysticism, righteousness and the status of Dervish, Ghawth or Qutb, got it from Shaikh Abdul Qadir. Because he has got complete command over both the worlds."

Sultan Bahoo Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan

SPIRITUAL ORDERS AND LEGACY

Four spiritual orders originated from Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani; Qadri, Soharwardi, Chishti and Naqshbandi. Qadri order is his own order while Saints who got beneficence from him lead the other three. Hence, Qadri order is superior to all other orders just as he is superior to all other Saints.

Qadri Order

His own spiritual order, superior to all others

Soharwardi Order

Originated from his spiritual beneficence

Chishti Order

Spiritual lineage traces back to him

Naqshbandi Order

Connected through his spiritual blessings

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"Qadri order has two off shoots; Sarwari Qadri and Zahidi Qadri. Sarwari Qadri spiritual guide has perfect command over contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. He blesses the seeker with the spiritual education and Divine guidance through Ism-e-Allah Zaat. And grants him the status equal to his own on the very first day."

Sultan Bahoo Kaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan

TEACHINGS AND BOOKS

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd has written many books for the guidance of seekers of Allah. The most famous are:

Al-Fath ar-Rabbani

Divine revelations and spiritual discourses

Futuh al-Ghaib

Revelations of the unseen world

Sirr al-Asrar

The secret of secrets

Ghunyat al-Talibeen

Treasure for seekers

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"Our Allah is Omnipresent and can be seen. How can a person pray Allah without seeing and recognizing Him!"

Vision of Allah Al-Fath ar-Rabbani

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"O al-Ghawth al-Azam! Love Me, love for Me and I am love Myself. Purify your inward and actions from everything other than Me. When you have recognized the love outwardly, it is essential for you to surpass the stages of love. Because love is also a veil between the lover and Beloved."

Divine Love Ar-Risala Tul Ghausia

FAMILY AND SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd had four wives and twenty-seven sons. History gives names of only ten as others died in adolescence. His ten sons whose names are mentioned below became famous and from them his lineage continued. They were also his spiritual successors.

561 HIJRI

Death of Ghaus e Azam

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd died at age of ninety-one on Saturday night, 11th Rabi ath-thani, 561 H (12 February, 1166). The shrine of Sultan ul Faqr 3rd is in Baghdad Sharif and is to date the centre for devotees.

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd passed on treasure of Faqr to his son Shaikh Abdul Razzaq Jilani who holds the status of fourth Sultan-ul-Faqr.

Sultan ul Faqr 3rd - Ghaus e Azam