Abdul Qadir Jilani

Shaykh Mohyuddin Abdul Qadir Jilani was born in 1,077 A.C. in an Iranian village, Gilan. He descended from Hadrat (honourable) Hasan, the grand son of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

His parents were well-known for their pious living and for their kindness to others. The early influence of his good, wise and pious mother played a very great part in the life of the Shaikh.


As a young boy, Shaikh Abdul Qadir once travelled with a caravan to a city. A gang of bandits suddenly attacked the travellers and began to rob them of all their valuables.

While doing this, one of the bandits asked the boy if he had any valuables on him.

Shaikh Abdul Qadir pointed without hesitation to a number of gold coins his mother had sewn in his coat for safe keeping.

The bandit was surprised and enquired why the boy admitted possession of the coins when they were concealed so well that they could have escaped detection.

"My mother taught me to be honest and truthful", was the simple reply given by the boy who was destined to become a great saint.

The bandits were so ashamed that they handed back all the valuables to the travellers, and some even publicly resolved never to follow their evil trade.


Shaikh Abdul Qadir acquired higher education at Baghdad, and took up the simple life of a Sufi, spreading knowledge and serving mankind. By his unselfish example the Shaikh taught people to lead pious and good lives and think of others first. He taught men to love one another and help those in need.

The Shaikh had great knowledge of religious subjects and could speak authoritatively on any aspect of the religion of Islam. His wisdom drew men to him from all over the world. Rulers and learned men of his time sought his advice on questions dealing with religious law and practice.

He lived a simple, austere life dedicated to the service of Islam and went from place to place spreading knowledge and teaching the faith and practice of his religion. He was a very fine orator and his inspiring lectures drew huge crowds of people.


Many of the Shaikh's lectures were written down and they are still studied by students of Islamic religion.

The Qadiriya order of mysticism founded by Shaikh Abdul Qadir has branches all over the world wherever Muslims are residing today. Members of this order are required to dedicate their lives in the service of Allah and humanity.

The followers of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Gilani call him Ghaus-i-Azam, meaning the Great Help.
He died in 1166 of the Christian era.