Stories of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) and His Spiritual Rank

 Stories of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) and His Spiritual Rank

Once, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) was delivering a sermon to a large crowd in Baghdad. During the sermon, he suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky, saying, "O Khizar  (AS), wait and listen to the words of the Khizar  of Muhammad (PBUH)." Hazrat Khidzar (AS) stopped, listened to the full sermon, and then departed. It is narrated that Hazrat Khizar  (AS) once asked Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) to teach him some spiritual secrets. The Sheikh replied, "O Khizar, I will give you the same answer you gave to Hazrat Musa (AS): ‘You cannot remain patient with me.’ You are the Khizar of Bani Israel, and I am the Khizar of Muhammad (PBUH)."

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) once said, "I am a descendant of Imam Hussain (RA), and my rank is hidden—no one can comprehend it. My foot is on the neck of every saint." When he made this statement, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA) was in the valleys of Khorasan. Upon hearing these words, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti bowed his head and said, "O Sheikh! Not just my neck, but your blessed foot is on my head and eyes as well."

Hazrat Bahauddin Naqshband (RA) longed for the name of Allah to be engraved on his heart. Despite his efforts, it didn’t happen. He went to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) and requested his help. The Sheikh placed his blessed hand on Bahauddin's heart, and instantly, the name of Allah was inscribed on it. This is how Hazrat Bahauddin became known as "Naqshband."

One day, Hazrat Shahabuddin Suhrawardi (RA) was brought to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) by his uncle, who requested the Sheikh to grant him spiritual knowledge. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) placed his hand on Shahabuddin’s chest, erasing all his external knowledge. Then he blew into Shahabuddin’s collar, filling him with both spiritual and external knowledge.

It is believed that the blessings of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) extend to all Sufi orders. Just as Allah made Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the leader of all prophets, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) was made the leader of all saints by the grace of the Prophet (PBUH).

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) strictly followed the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). It is narrated that after completing his education but before starting his sermons, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told him, "O Abdul Qadir, start delivering sermons." The Sheikh replied, "O Messenger of Allah, I am from Jilan, and although I gained knowledge in Baghdad, Arabic is not my native language. How can I speak in front of the eloquent Arabs here?" The Prophet (PBUH) instructed him to open his mouth and then placed his blessed saliva in his mouth seven times. After this, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) delivered sermons that drew thousands of people, many of whom repented and turned to the path of righteousness.