All Praises is due
to Allah Almighty SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, choicest Salams and Salutations upon His
Beloved Habib, Sayyiduna Muhammadur-Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam, his
noble family, the illustrious Sahabah and distinguished Awliya Ridwanullahi
Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een.
A rich store of information about Gawth al-Aazam is conveniently available, to
those familiar with the religious and spiritual tradition of Islam, in his
names, his surnames, and the many titles conferred upon him by his devoted
followers. It is not unusual for these to take up several lines in an Arabic
manuscript, but let us start with the short form of His name:
O
Ghawth! You hold a place of prominence ... Your feet are above others heads in
eminence
Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
Shaykh:
A term applied throughout the Islamic world to respected persons of recognized
seniority in learning, experience and wisdom. Its basic meaning in Arabic is “an
elder; a man over fifty years of age.” [The spellings Sheikh, Shaikh and Shaykh
may also be encountered in English-language publications.]
‘Abd al-Qadir:
This is HIS personal name, meaning “Servant of the All-Powerful.” [The form
‘Abdul Qadir, which the reader may come across elsewhere, is simply an
alternative transliteration of the Arabic spelling.] It has always been a common
practice, in the Muslim community, to give a male child a name in which ‘Abd is
prefixed to one of the Names of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
al-Jilani:
A surname ending in “i” will often indicate the bearer’s place of birth. Shaykh
‘Abd al-Qadir Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho was born in the Iranian district of Gilan,
south of the Caspian Sea, in A.H. 470/1077-8 C.E. [In some texts, the Persian
spelling Gilani is used instead of the arabicized form al-Jilani. The
abbreviated form al-Jili, which may also be encountered, should not be confused
with the surname of the venerable ‘Abd al-Karim al-Jili Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho
[A.H.827/1424 C.E.], author of the celebrated work al-Insan al-Kamil, who came
from Jil in the district of Baghdad.]
Let us now consider a slightly longer version of the Shaykh’s name, as it occurs
near the beginning of Al-Fath ar-Rabbani :
O
master! For the sake of your dignity ... Upon your servant’s plight take pity
Sayyiduna ‘sh-Shaykh Muhyi’d-Din Abu Muhammad
‘Abd al-Qadir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho
Sayyiduna ‘sh-Shaykh:
“Our Master, the Shaykh.” A writer who regards himself as a Qadiri, a devoted
follower of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, will generally refer
to the latter as Sayyiduna , or Sayyidi .
Muhyi’d-Din:
“Reviver of the Religion.” It is widely acknowledged by historians, non-Muslim
as well as Muslim, that Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho displayed
great courage in reaffirming the traditional teachings of Islam, in an era when
sectarianism was rife, and when materialistic and rationalistic tendencies were
predominant in all sections of society. In matters of Islamic jurisprudence and
theology , he adhered quite strictly to the highly “orthodox” school of Imam
Ahmad ibn Hanbal Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho.
Abu Muhammad:
“Father of Muhammad.” In the Arabic system of nomenclature, a man’s surnames
usually include the name of his first-born son, with the prefix Abu [Father
of……..].
Radi Allahu ‘Anhu:
“May Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala be well pleased with him!” This benediction is
the one customarily pronounced - and spelled out in writing - after mentioning
the name of a Companion of the Prophet [Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala bless him and
give him peace]. The preference for this particular invocation is yet another
mark of the extraordinary status held by Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anhu in the eyes of his devoted followers.
Finally, we must note some important elements contained within this even longer
version:
The
art of giving is you by inheritance ... The Prophet bequeathed to you his
pittance
al-Ghawth al-A'zam Sultan al-Awliya’ Sayyiduna ‘sh-Shaykh
Muhyi’d-Din ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani al-Hasani al-Husaini
al-Ghawth al-A'zam:
“The Supreme Helper” [or, “The Mightiest Succor”]. Ghawth is an Arabic word
meaning:
A cry for aid or succor.
Aid, help, succor; deliverance from adversity.
The chief of the Saints, who is empowered by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to bring
succor to suffering humanity, in response to His creatures’ cry for help in
times of extreme adversity.
Sultan al-Awliya’:
“The King of the Saints.” This reinforces the preceding title, emphasizing the
supremacy of the Ghawth above all other orders of sanctity.
al-Hasani al-Husaini:
“The descendant of both Imam al-Hasan Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho and Imam al-Husain
Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, the grandsons of the Prophet [Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala
bless him and give him peace].” To quote the Turkish author, Shaykh Muzaffer
Ozak Efendi [may Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala bestow His mercy upon him]:
“The lineage of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho is known as the
Chain of Gold, since both his parents were descendants of the Messenger [Allah
SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala bless him and give him peace]. His noble father, ‘Abdullah
Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, traced his descent by way of Imam al-Hasan Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho, while his revered mother, Umm al-Khayr Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho,
traced hers through Imam al-Husain Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho.”
As for the many other surnames, titles and honorific appellations that have been
conferred upon Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, it may
suffice at this point to mention al-Baz al-Ash’hab .
He
who sees your personality’s halo ... Actually sees our Prophet’s spiritual
shadow
11
Exalted Names of Sultan al-Awliya Shaykh
‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho
There are 11 names
from amongst the blessed names of Hadrat Ghawth al-Aa'zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala
Anho) that are a means of gaining blessings and freedom from hardships. If these
names are recited during calamities, illness or in one's home and business then
the reciter will gain much benefit.
These names are as follows:-
سید
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
1. Sayyid Muhiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
سلطان
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
2. Sultaan Muhiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
قطب
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
3. Qutub Muhaiy'ud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
خواجہ
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
4. Khwaja Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
مخدوم
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
5. Makhdoom Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
ولی
محی
الدین
بادشاہ
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
6. Walee Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
بادشاہ
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
7. Baadshah Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
شیخ
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
8. Shaykh Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
مولانا
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
9. Mawlana Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
غوث
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
10. Gawth Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
خلیل
محی
الدین
رضی
اللہ
تعالی
عنہ
11. Khaleel Muhaiy'yud'deen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
[Fatawa Radawiyyah Sharif, Volume 26, Page 432]
Note: Names like Faqeer Muhaiyyuddeen and Darwesh Muhaiyyuddeen should not be
read or referred to Gawth al-Azam (Radi Allahu Anhu) as they are against the
exalted honor and respect. [Taaj al-Shari'ah, Mufti Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri]
Whose eyes can towards your head rise? ... Mystics kiss your feet with their
eyes
Some
of his titles, beautifully rendered in the
prologue of Jala’ al-Khawatir
May Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala sanctify his spirit and illuminate his mausoleum.
May He (SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala) gather us at the Resurrection as members of his
company, and may He (SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala) grant that we die in the embrace of
his affection. May He (SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala) allow us to enjoy the benefit of his
blessed grace and of his spoken words, both in this world and in the Hereafter.
And may Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala bless our Master Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam and his family SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and his companions SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala, each and every one of them, and may He SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala grant them
peace in great abundance. And praise be to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, Lord of
All the Worlds.
O
Ghawth! Very sinful and dirty I have been ... Before my death please wash me
clean!!