Parting Admonitions

Hazrat Ghousul Azam lived an extraordinary sternous and glorious life mainly engaged in service to mankind during day time and occupied at night in prayer in contemplation of Allah. It is beyond common comprehension to assess his nearness to Allah, which by sheer devotion and sacrifice he had attained. His examplary life was transparently glorious. Every lunar month, an angel in the guise of an Arab, used to wait upon him and inform him of the good and bad events that would take place in its course. In 560 A.H. in the month of Ramzan the said Arab bade him farewell thereby indicating that Hazrat would. not-survive to see the next Ramzan. In the beginning of Rabi-ul.Akhir of 561 A.H. he fell ill. The illness grew worse daily and it became evident that his end was drawing nearer.

His son Sheikh Abdul Wahab requested him to declare his parting admonition. He then said. It is incumbent on you to fear Allah and not to fear anyone else excepting Him and not to hope for anything from anyone else excepting Him. Entrust all your needs to Him and do not rely on anyone else excepting Him. Ask everything you need from Him and do not place your trust on anyone else, besides Him. He further said "when the heart becomes right with Allah, nothing is felt missing and nothing comes out of the man".

During his illness he expressed "I am the core without the shell". "Others have come to me so make room for them and show courtesy to them "Here is great mercy. Do not make the place con-gested for them". He was also heard saying "upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessing May He protect me and you and turn with mercy to me and to you. I begin with the name of Allah unceasingly". He kept on saying this one day one night. I do not fear anything or any angel, or even the angel of death. Addressing the angel of death, he said it is not you who has befriended me but one who has been bounteous to me.

During his illness his son Sheikh Abdul Aziz was with him and enquired often his pain and condition. Hazrat said, "Let not any one ask me about anything about my being turned over and over again in the knowledge of Allah". Sheikh Abdul Aziz further asked him about his disease. To this, he "said, "Surely no one, be it a man, a Jin or an angel knows and understands my disease. The knowledge of Allah is not diminished by the command of Allah. The command changes but knowledge does not change. The Command may be abrogated but not so is, knowledge.T "Allah" causes things to pass away and establishes what Helpleases] and with Him is the basis for the book. The Quran says," And He is not questioned what He does, and it is they who are questioned.

Once he said "I wanted death which has no life in it and a life which has no death in it". So I enquired what kind of life and death he was alluding to the death that has no life in it, is the death of my own species. I do not see in it either benefit or harm. My death from my ownself, my own desire, my own purpose, and my own wishes in my worldly life and my life after death is all that I could see. I do not live in any of these nor am I bound in them. As for the life that has no death in it, it is my life with the act of my Lord assimilated in such a manner that I have no existence in it, and my death in it, is my existence with him.

There is no wali. Sheikh or Alim who has not proved the glory of Hazrat Ghousul Azam. Hazrat Sheikh Wali-Ullah has said that although Hazrat Ali was the first "Majzoob" among "Umat-Mohammadi" yet the only person after him who had accomplished the path of Jazb successfully was Saiyidina Abdul Qadir Jilani, who fully imbibed within himself the ways and attributes of the Holy Prophets. (Peace be upon him.)

Sheikh, Abdul Wahab was told by Sheikh Abdul Razzak and Sheikh Musa that Hazrat on the evening before his death uttered aloud raising his hands and stretching them out was heard saying; "And on you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings". Repent and join the line. Presently I will be coming to you". He said" Between myself and you, and the creation there is distance as between the heaven and the earth. So do not identify me by any one of them nor any one of them by me".

His son Abdul Jabbar asked him what part of his body was ailing? He said "All parts of my body are ailing excepting my heart which has no pain in it. It is in sound condition with Allah. As death approached Him he was saying, I seek the help of Allah with "LA-ILA.HA.ILLALLAH MUHAMADUR RASOOL ALLAH". There is no object of worship excepting Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah. Glory be to Him and be He exalted, the Everlasting, who does not fear annihilation. Glory be to Him who has established His superiority through His power and over powered His servants by means of death. There is no object of worship excepting Allah and Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon Him) is the Prophet to Allah. He was continuously repeating Allah, Allah, Allah and his voice grew fainter and fainter and stuck to his palate, then came to him the ultimate moment to breath away from this world of woe to the Infinite Beyond. His breath ebbed out slowly and peacefully. His exalted soul then loft his body He was no more. It was 11th Rabi-ul-Sani. This date is commemorated by his admirers upto this day and is known Girrwani Sharif. May He Allow His blessings to benefit us-and grant us all the Muslims a good end without abasing us and putting us in trial, 'and may He thus enable us to join the men of piety Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.

The illustrious lustre that rejuvenated Islam by the majesty and sublimity of his examplary mission was dead, But he re-lives in the heart of every true Muslim.

Here are some records that speak to his unpar-alled eminence:-

Hazrat Sheikh Ahmed Shahindi Mujadid Alif Sani Naqshabandhy in his letter No. 123 written to Noor Mohammed Tehari has said that after Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Imam Hassan, and Hazrat Imam Hussain, the spiritual leadership remained in the dynasty of Hazrat Ali and all the twelve Imams were virtually the Ghouse of their time. This exalted spiritual position after these twelve Imams devolved, by means to Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani only and none else has been bestowed this high honour. All the Sheikhs and Walis seek spiritual guidance and derive light from him, that is why Hazrat has said "My Sun has come to stay and will shine for ever"

It has been said by Abu Bakar Haware-Al-Lib Tahee in page 114 of Tabbqat-ul-Kubra written by Abdul Wahab Sharrani that before the Hazrat's birth, there would be seven Awtads in the world and the eighth will be Abdul Qadir al-Jilani. He replied that he would be one from Ahle Baith direct descendant of the Holy Prophet and appear In Baghdad in the fifth century. He further stated that he would not only be the Qutub-ul-Aqtab of the world but also the Qutub of all time. The Walis of the world will be guided to their goal through his indispensable help and care.

Sheikh Suleman Ahmed Almaghrabi Al Shazli in his book named "Uzama-El-Awlia" has stated that after the Holy Prophet, his Ashabs and Ahlebaith, the highest rank among walis, is held by Hazrat Ghousul Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani, followed by:-

1.     Marouf-Al-Karkhi

2.     Junaid-Al-Baghdadi.

3.     Ahmed Bin Humbal.

4.     Suleman Al Ghazali.

5.     Syed Ahmed Rifa-ee

6.     Zinoon'Al-Misri.

7.     Rabiathul Adavriya.

8.     Bayazid-al-Bustami.

Abdul Hassan Al Shazull always sought spiritual help and guidance from Hazrat Ghousul Azam. He always acknowledged his spiritual superiority. He had also heard from all the Meshaikhs, particularly Sheikh Ali-ul-Khawass, about the exalted spiritual status of Hazrat Ghousul Azam. This has also been reaffirmed by Sheikh Tajuddin Bin Ataullah in page 5 of the book Uzam-al-Awlia and Tariqa Shazuliya.

Once Al Sheikh Abu-us-Salam-bin. Mushaikh was asked about the spiritual status of the world. He said that the highest in rank and dignity was Hazrat Ghousul Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani. He was the Qutub-uz-Zaman, Imamul-Makan and Baz-Al-Ashab. His status amongst the Walis of the Ummatee Muhammadi was like that of Hazrat Khizar in the Ummatee Israil. As such, Hazrat is also known as Khizar" Muhammadi.

Sheikh Baqa Bin Battu, Sheikh Abu Second Quality and Sheikh Ali Bin Abi Nasar Hiti, who were Qutubs of their time, held high regard and reverence for him. Whenever the intended to see him in his Madrassa, they would wait outside and ask for his permission through one of his servants and would never enter the gate until permitted. Hazrat Ghousul Azam would ask them to sit by his side, but out of regard for him, they would seat themselves at a distance from him. Whenever he happened to go out of his Madrassa, these famed Sheikhs would accompany him on foot and hold the reins of his horse. Out of extreme love for him, they would conduct themselves as servants would do and would even sweep the surroundings of his Madrassa.

Sheikh Abu Nassar has stated that once Hazrat Ghousul Azam visited the tomb of Sheikh Mahrouf-Al-Karkhi and after salutation said, "Aye Sheikh Mahrouf, I am one step ahead of you". After a long time he happened to go to his tomb again and after salutation said "Aye Sheikh Mahrouf, I am now two steps ahead of you". Upon this the Sheikh's spirits while responding to his salutation, replies, "Ya Sayed Ahle Zaman (Leader of the time) may peace be upon you". This incident was a manifestation of Hazrat's state in superlative spiritual ecstacy.

Moulana Abdur Rehman Jami, in his famous books 'Nafahat-ul-Inns', has said that Hazrat Khawaja Mohiyuddin Chishti was a great devotee of Hazrat Ghousul Azam. When he spiritually heard his dictum of "my foot is on the neck of all Walis" he replied that it was on his eyes as well. Al Sheikh Sadiq Alsheobani, in his 'Manaqib-e-Ghousia', in reference to what Abil Abbas had heard from other Mashaikhs, has stated that Saiyidina Abdul Qadir Mohiyuddin Jilani, is as distinguished amongst the Walis as is the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) amongst the Prophet's. The famous writers of Islamic literature have acknowledged his illustrious literary services and contributions towards Islamic learning. Hafiz Zia-ud-Din has referred to him in his Tabaqat "as 'Alama-tul-Hcen' Scholar of his time. Hafiz Abu Saeed Samnani in his history refers to him as Mujtahid-fil-Ilm, Professor of Absolute knowledge. Imam Abu Abdullah Shibli has referred to him as Aziz-ul-Ilm possessor of abundant knowledge.

Hafiz Imdad-ud-Din Ibn-Kasser in his history says that Hazrat had a perfect knowledge of Hadith and Islamic Law. Murtezae Nazami in his book 'Jami-ul-Anwar' written in Turkish and translated by Isa Band Banji, has narrated about the services rendered towards the revival of the religion by Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani during a period when political choas was adversely affecting the religious advancement of the Muslims of that time.

Sheikh Abdul Haq Dehalvi in his book 'Akhbar-ul-Akhiar' has stated that the spiritual leadership of Hazrat, Ghousul Azam was proclaimed after he had accomplished his Studies and excelled himself in all branches of Islamic learning. His exalted spiritual rank was made Known to the people and reverence and love towards him established in their minds. He was conferred with the highest rank of "Qutbiete Kubra" and 'Willayat' Uzma.

Reference to Hazrat has been made by various authors and writers, as the greatest of all helpers, a great preacher 'a great educationalist', a' great moralist' and great doctor' of Muslim Law. The names of some of their writings are:-