The Months of the Year Presenting Themselves to al-Ghawth al-A’zam
Hazrat Sheikh Abul Qaasim (r.a) states that once Sheikh Abu Bakr, Sheikh Abul Khair, Sheikh Ibn Mahfooz, Sheikh Abu Hafs Umar, Sheikh Abul Aas Ahmad Imkaani, Sheikh Abdul Wahab (r.a), and himself (r.a) were all in the presence of the great al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a). It was a Friday, the 30th of Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 560 AH. During this time, Sheikh Qaasim (r.a.) states that a young, handsome youth came into the blessed court of the great saint. He sat with great respect and then said, “O Friend of Allah! May there be Salaams upon you. I am the month of Rajab, and I have come to give you glad tidings that this is a good month for the people. They should thus do many good deeds in this month.” Sheikh Qaasim (r.a.) states that on another occasion, a youth again came to the Darbaar of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) and with great respect said, “I am the month of Shabaan. I have not brought any glad tidings but have come to inform you that in this month the people of Arabia will be in difficulty. There will be wars fought in Khorasan, and there will be sickness in Iraq, through which many people will die.” Sheikh Qaasim (r.a.) states that after a few days, news reached Baghdad of these happenings in Arabia and Khorasan, and he states that during that time a disease spread in Iraq, killing scores of people.
His Sight on Lauh-e-Mahfooz (The Protected Tablet)
It is written in one narration that Sheikh Abul Hafs (r.a.) states, “Our Sheikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilani (r.a.) used to fly in the air and would say, ‘The sun does not rise before presenting Salaams in my court. By the Wrath and Honour of Allah! All the good and bad people are before my sight. My eyes are fixed firmly on Lauh-e-Mahfooz. Time and again, I immerse myself in the sea of knowledge and wisdom blessed by Allah, and I am the Sign (Nishaan) of Allah to the people and the specially appointed representative of my forefather, Nabi Muhammad ﷺ, and I am his viceroy on this earth.’”
His Power Over Jinns
Sheikh Abu Futoob Muhammad bin Abil Aas Yusuf bin Ismaeel bin Ahmad Ali Qarshi Tameemi Bakri Baghdadi (r.a.) reports that once Sheikh Abu Saeed Abdullab bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Muhammad Baghdadi Azja’ee (r.a.) came to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) and complained to him about his sixteen-year-old daughter, Faatima. Faatima, who was very beautiful, had gone onto the roof of the house, and she suddenly disappeared from there. When Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) heard this, he comforted him and told him not to worry. The great saint then asked him to a certain jungle at night. On entering this jungle, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) told him that he would see many sand heaps. He should sit on the fifth sand heap that he passed. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) then told him that he should draw a circle around him saying “Bismillah and that he should then say “Abdul Qadir.”
The great saint then said, “Towards the third portion of the night, you will find an army of jinns passing by. They will look really frightening and fierce, but you should not fear. You should remain seated and wait. Exactly at the time of the first light, the most powerful King of the Jinns will pass that way, and he will personally come to you and ask your problem. At his request, you should explain to him your situation and then tell him that Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) has sent you. You should then tell him about your daughter’s disappearance.” Sheikh Muhammad Baghdadi (r.a.) states, “I did as al-Ghawth al-A’zam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) said. I sat on the sand heap, drew a circle around me, and waited. After some time, I saw armies of Jinns in frightening forms passing by. They were very upset with me sitting in their path, but they passed without saying a word, as they did not have the courage to enter the circle. In the morning, the king passed and asked my request. When I explained my problem to him and told him that Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) had sent me, he got off his horse and stood with respect, listening to me. He then sent the Jinns to summon back a Jinn who had captured my daughter. My daughter was brought back, and the mischievous Jinn was punished for his doing.”
A Thief Becomes an Abdaal (High-Ranking Saint)
Once a thief entered the house of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) with the intention of stealing. On entering the house, he became blind and could not see anything. He was unable to find his way out of the house, and he eventually sat in one corner of the house. In the morning, he was caught and brought before Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.). When Al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) saw him, he placed his blessed hands on the thief’s eyes. The thief’s eyesight was immediately restored. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) then said, “He came to steal materialistic (worldly) wealth; I will bless him with such a treasure that it will remain with him forever.” On saying these words, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) placed his blessed sight on the thief once and elevated him to the status of Wilayat (Sainthood). It was also during this time that one of the appointed Abdaals had passed away. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) took the thief, now a Wali, and sent him out as the replacement for the Abdaal that had passed away. Subhan-Allah!
Transportation from One Place to Another
Once, whilst Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) was delivering one of his spiritually enlightening lectures, a person by the name of Abul Mu’aali was present in this gathering. He was seated directly in front of the great saint. During the course of the lecture, Abul Mu’aali found that he needed to answer the call of nature (relieve himself). He tried to suppress this need because he found it disrespectful to leave the gathering of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a). He controlled the urge to the best of his ability, but when he could not do so any longer, he decided to leave. As he was about to stand, he saw the great Ghawth (r.a.) walking down the first stair of the pulpit (Mimbar) onto the second stair. As the saint came to the second stair, Abul Mu’aali saw an image of the great saint on the mimbar. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) came down to him and threw his shawl over him.
As this happened, Abul Mu’aali found that he was no longer in the gathering but rather in a valley with beautiful lush vegetation. It was beautified even more by a stream, which flowed through it. He immediately answered the call of nature, performed Wudhu, and then prayed two Rakaats Salaah. As he completed the Salaah, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) pulled the shawl off him. When Abul Mu’aali looked, he found to his amazement that he was still in the gathering of the great Saint (r.a.), and he had not even missed one word of the lecture of the great Saint. However, much later, Abul Mu’aali discovered that he did not have his set of keys with him. He then remembered that when he was transported to the valley by Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), he had hung his key ring on the branch of a tree beside the stream. Abul Mu’aali states that some time after this incident, he had the opportunity to go on a business expedition. During this journey, Abul Mu’aali reached a valley and rested there. He then noticed that the valley was the exact same place where the great saint had transported him during his lecture. When he went beside the tree, he found that his missing keys were still hanging on the branch of the tree. Subhan-Allah! The business trip took fourteen days to complete. This miracle of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) shows that not only did he transport Abul Mu’aali spiritually, but also physically.
Ship Protected From Storm
The students of the great Ghawth (r.a.) state that once he was delivering his lessons as usual to them when suddenly his blessed face turned red and beads of perspiration covered his blessed forehead. He then placed his hand into his cloak and remained silent for a short time. The students state that after he removed his hand from inside his cloak, drops of water began to drip from his sleeves. Due to his spiritual state, the students say that they did not ask him any questions, but rather, they recorded the date, day, and time of this astonishing event. The students say that two months after this incident, a group of traders, who had come by sea to Baghdad, arrived and presented various gifts to al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.). The students were very confused by this as they had never seen these traders in Baghdad before. They asked the traders the reason for them bringing the gifts. The traders said that two months previously, whilst they were sailing to Baghdad, their ship was caught in a fierce storm.
When they realized that there was a real danger of sinking, they called out the name of “Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani” (r.a.). When they called out his name, they found that from the Unseen a hand lifted their ship to safety. When the students compared this narration to the incident in the Madrassa, it was confirmed that it was the same date, day, and time in which the great Saint (r.a.) had put his hand into his cloak. Suhban-Allah! This incident shows that although Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) seemed to be placing his hand into his cloak, in reality, he was stretching his hand into the sea to assist those who called for his assistance!
Disappearing Into The Sun
The wet-nurse of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) states that when he was a child, she would carry him in her arms but would suddenly find that he was no longer there. She reports that she noticed that he used to fly into the sky and hide behind the rays of the sun. Once, when Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) was much older, the wet nurse went to him and asked if he still did as he used to do when he was a child, in other words, hide behind the sun. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) replied, “Then I was a child, and it was a time of weakness, and I used to hide in the rays of the sun. Now my strength and power are so immense that if a thousand suns have to come, then they would all be hidden in me rather than me being hidden by them.”
Protection From Illness
Sheikh Ali bin Idrees Yaqoobi (r.a.) states that once his spiritual guide, Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.), took him to al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) and presented him in the court of the great Saint. Sheikh Ali bin Idrees (r.a.) states, “Al-Ghawth al-A’zam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) was wearing a shawl during this time. He removed the shawl and placed it over me and said, ‘From now on, you will be protected from all illnesses.’ From that day on until now, and I am 65 years old, I have never been ill.”
A Lion Overpowered
Sheikh Abu Masood bin Abi Bakr Harimi (r.a.) reports that there was a very great saint by the name of Sheikh Ahmed Jaam (r.a.). He used to travel on a lion wherever he went. In every city that he visited, it was his habit to ask the people of the city to send one cow for his lion’s meal. Once, he went to a certain city and requested from the saint of that city a cow for his lion. The saint sent the cow to him and said, “If you ever go to Baghdad, your lion will receive a welcome invitation.”
Sheikh Ahmed Jaam (r.a.) then journeyed to Baghdad Shareef. On arriving in Baghdad, he sent one of his disciples to al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) and commanded that a cow be sent to him as a meal for his lion. The great Ghawth was already aware of his coming. He had already arranged for a cow to be kept for the lion. On the command of Sheikh Ahmed Jaam (r.a.), Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) sent one of his disciples with a cow to him. As the disciple took the cow with him, a weak and old stray dog, which used to sit outside the home of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), followed the disciple. The disciple presented the cow to Sheikh Ahmed Jaam (r.a.), who in turn signaled the lion to commence feeding. As the lion ran towards the cow, this stray dog pounced on the lion. It caught the lion by its throat and killed the lion by tearing open its stomach. The dog then dragged the lion and threw it before al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.).
On seeing this, Sheikh Ahmed Jaam (r.a.) was very embarrassed. He humbled himself before the great Ghawth and asked for forgiveness for his arrogant behavior. This incident shows the strength of a dog that only sat outside the stoop of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.). This was due to its Nisbat to the blessed stoop of the great Saint. It also proves that even animals recognize and are loyal to the Awliya Allah. A’la Hazrat, Sheikh Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri (r.a.), portrays the above-mentioned incident in one of his poetic stanzas. He says, “Kya Dab’be Jis Pe Himayat Ka Ho Panja Tera, Sher Ko Khatre me Laata, Nahi Kut’ta Tera.”
Sheikh Ali Bin Haiti’s Dream
Once al-Ghawth al-A’zam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) was delivering a lecture. Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.) was seated in front of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) in this gathering. During the lecture of the great Ghawth, Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.) fell asleep. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), who saw this, descended from the Mimbar and stood in front of the sleeping Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.) with both his hands folded in respect. After a while, Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.) awoke to find Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) standing in front of him. He immediately stood up in respect. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) smiled and said, “The reason I am standing in front of him is because he was seeing the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in his dream, and I was seeing the Prophet ﷺ with my physical eyes.”
My foot is on the shoulders of all the saints.
Once whilst he was delivering a lecture, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) entered a spiritual state and said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Awliya Allah (Saints).” When he uttered these words, there were many Awliya Allah in his presence. Each one of them immediately lowered their necks. Sheikh Ali bin Haiti (r.a.), who was also present in this gathering, immediately went to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) and physically placed the foot of the great Ghawth on his neck. Sheikh Sayyidi Maajid (r.a.) states, “When al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) said these words, then every Wali on earth bowed his neck.” He also states, “There were 300 Awliya Allah and 700 Rijaalul Ghaib (Men of the Unseen) present in that gathering, and every one of them lowered their necks before him.”
Sheikh Makaarim (r.a.) states, “The day on which al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) made this statement, every saint knew that the flag of kingship was now planted before Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.). On this day, all the Saints from East to West lowered their necks on his command.” Sayyidi Sheikh Khalifatul Akbar (r.a.) states, “I saw the Beloved Rasool ﷺ in my dream, and I asked him about the statement of al-Ghawth al-A’zam—‘My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints.’” He says that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, “Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) has spoken the truth, and why should he not say this when he is the Qutb, and I am his Guardian?”
Sultanul Hind Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti
When Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints,” Sheikh Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti Hassani Sanjari Ajmeri (r.a.) was at this moment in the prime of his youth. He was deep in the remembrance of Allah on a mountain in Khorasan. As soon as Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) said these words, Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti (r.a.) heard this and lowered his neck and said, “But your blessed foot is on my eyes and on my head.” It was through the blessing of this act of submission that (r.a.) Khwaja Moinudeen Chishti (r.a.) was made the King of the Saints of India and is known as “Sultaanul Hind.”
Mufti-e-A’zam Hind
Mufti-e-A’zam Hind, Maulana Mustapha Raza al-Qaadiri (r.a.), the son of Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri (r.a.), says in one of his Manqabats, which he wrote in praise of the great Ghawth, as follows: (r.a.) “Ye Dil Ye Jigar He Ye Aankhe Ye Sar He” - My heart, my liver, my eyes, and my head are all here, “Jahaa Chaaho Rakhlo Qadam Ghawth-e-A’zam.” - O Ghaus! You may keep your blessed foot wherever you desire. This couplet of Mufti-e-A'zam (r.a.) shows that even though he was not born when the great saint made this statement, even after coming to this physical world, he showed his allegiance to al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) by accepting and confirming the command of the great Ghawth. This, and his immense love for Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), gained him the exalted status of “Ghaus-ul-Waqt,” meaning “The Ghaus of the Time.”
Imam Ahmed Bin Hambal
Sheikh Sayyidi Baqaa (r.a.) states that once he accompanied Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) to the tomb of Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (r.a.). He says, “I saw Sheikh Imam Ahmed bin Hambal’s (r.a.) grave split open, and I saw him emerge from his blessed grave. He embraced al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) and then said, ‘Even I am dependent on you in Tariqah.’”
Shar’iah and Tariqah
Once Sheikh Bataa’ihi (r.a) presented himself in the court of Sheikh Ahmed Kabeer (r.a.), he stated that Sheikh Ahmed Kabeer (r.a.) said, “Do you know anything about the condition of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.)?” Sheikh Ahmed (r.a.) states, “On hearing this, I began to praise al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) and say what I knew concerning him. I said as much as I knew and then remained silent.” Sheikh Ahmed Kabeer (r.a.) then said, “On his right is the Sea of Shari’ah, and on his left is the Sea of Tariqah. From this, he gives whom he desires. In this era, there is none equal to him.”
One Hundred Jurists Humbled
It is well known that the lectures of al-Ghawth al-A’zam (r.a.) attracted scores of scholars to Baghdad from all over the world. Once, a hundred jurists formed a group, and each one chose a difficult question. They all decided to present themselves in the gathering of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), and each would ask his question during the lecture in an attempt to cause Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.) to be confused. The one hundred jurists chose what they thought to be the most difficult question and traveled to Baghdad. They sat in the gathering of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (r.a.), waiting for the appropriate time to ask their questions. It was during this gathering that a bright ray of light emerged from the blessed chest of al-Ghawth al-A'zam (r.a.) and traveled into the heart of each of the one hundred jurists. This light could only be seen by them and by those whom Almighty Allah desired to see. As this light entered their hearts, each one of them entered a state of spiritual ecstasy. Each one of them fell at the feet of al-Ghawth al-A'zam (r.a.) and repented from their improper intentions. The great saint, with great compassion, embraced each one of them, filling their hearts with Noor, and at the same time answering every one of their questions, even though they had not asked.