Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam (RA): A Legacy of Faith, Truth and Spiritual Heritage

Syed Majid Gilani

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  “When almost everyone around him was afraid to speak, Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam fearlessly told the truth. His simple explanation—that his mother had commanded him never to lie—became a turning point in the life of the robber chief.”

Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, also known as Gilani, was born in the beautiful region of Gilan or Jilan, Iran, in 471 Hijri (1077 A.D.). He came from a respected family with a strong lineage. His parents were descendants of Hazrat Ali Murtaza (R.A.), with his father’s roots tracing back to Hazrat Imam Hassan (A.S.) and his mother’s to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.).

Tragedy struck at a young age when Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam’s father passed away, leaving his mother to raise him alone. Despite this hardship, his mother was determined to provide him with the best education. By the age of eight, Hazrat had not only learned the Holy Quran but also memorized it, becoming a Hafiz-e-Quran.

When he turned eighteen, he sought his mother’s permission to travel to Baghdad, the renowned centre of education at that time. Despite the potential dangers of the journey, his mother wholeheartedly permitted him to go and even hid forty dinars in his shirt pocket as an extra precaution. She advised him to always speak the truth and made him promise to do so.

During their journey, their caravan was attacked and looted in Hamadan. When questioned about his possessions, Hazrat fearlessly spoke the truth without hesitation. Surprisingly, the attackers brought him before their chief, who was astonished by Hazrat’s truthful response regarding the hidden dinars. Intrigued, the chief asked Hazrat why he chose to speak the truth despite the dire circumstances. Hazrat explained that his mother had commanded him to always speak the truth, and he could never disobey her orders. The chief was deeply moved by Hazrat’s unwavering commitment to his mother’s teachings. Overwhelmed with emotion, he realized the errors of his misguided and disobedient life. He felt ashamed for disobeying Allah’s orders. In a life-changing moment, the chief ordered the return of all the looted belongings to the travellers. Inspired by his encounter with Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam, the chief pledged to abide by Allah’s and the Holy Prophet’s orders from then on.

Following a pivotal event in his life, Syedna Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam, a knowledgeable and spiritually inclined individual, began spreading Islam’s teachings with love, compassion, and heartfelt connection. Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam successfully propagated the religion of peace, Islam. Notably, Islam was spread purely through love and compassion, devoid of force or coercion. Many non-Muslims, inspired by Hazrat’s teachings, willingly embraced Islam, including Christians and Jews. Hazrat’s reputation as a scholar and theologian spread globally, attracting seekers from various parts of the world. They found satisfying answers to their religious queries. Even rulers became his disciples, respecting his simplicity, humanity, and unwavering determination.

Hazrat’s saintly mother instilled values of truthfulness and honesty, which he diligently followed throughout his life. For twenty-five years, Hazrat wandered in Iraq’s desert regions, performing countless miracles. One of Hazrat’s remarkable miracles occurred during his infancy in the month of Ramzan. He abstained from milk during daylight hours, a miraculous feat. News spread quickly, and on the 29^th of Ramzan, when cloudy skies obscured the crescent, people sought confirmation from Hazrat’s mother about his milk consumption. Taking this as a sign, they observed the day as the 30^th of Ramzan and fasted. Hazrat displayed profound wisdom throughout his life. These miracles testified to the divine blessings bestowed upon him, reinforcing his influence and teachings.

Throughout his life, Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) left an enduring impact on humanity through his teachings, literary works, and contributions. Though he departed this world, his teachings remain a guiding light for all. His shrine, situated on the east bank of the Tigris in Baghdad, Iraq, remains a revered pilgrimage site. Hazrat Gilani (RA) was revered by various titles, including Mohi-ud-Din, Mehboobi Subhani, Qutb-i-Rabbani, Sheikh-ul-Jin-wal-Ins, Ghous-ul-Azam, Ghous-ul-Saqalain and Peerani Peer, etc. These esteemed titles were bestowed upon Hazrat Gilani due to his extraordinary contributions to Islam and humanity.

He exemplified Shariah (Islamic Law and Jurisprudence) principles, emphasizing steadfast adherence. In a congregation on 19^th Shawal, 545 Hijri, Hazrat Gilani clarified that anything outside Shariah’s boundaries was unacceptable. This valuable lesson inspires us to emulate Hazrat Gilani’s personality and teachings. Just as travellers explore new horizons, we can delve into his books, like Futuh Al Ghaib, Aurad-i-Qadriyah, Ghunyatul-Talibeen, and Sirrul-Asrar, etc., quenching our thirst for knowledge and guidance. Hazrat Dastgeer Sahib Jilani (RA) may have physically departed this world, but his legacy endures, inspiring peaceful coexistence and Shariah adherence. Let us embrace his teachings, positively impacting our lives and others.

The relation between Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam (RA) and Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, Khanyar, Srinagar, is a testament to the power of faith and its impact on people. As we step into the sacred Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, we are surrounded by the aura of the presence of holy relics. The shrine houses a copy of the Quran handwritten by Hazrat Ali Murtaza (RA) and a holy strand of the hair of Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam (RA). The holy relic of Ghous-ul-Azam (R.A.) is displayed on special occasions like the Urs days, which are annually celebrated in the Islamic month of Jamid-us-Sani. Besides, on every 11^th day of the Islamic lunar month, we honour the life and teachings of Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A.), the revered founder of the Qadriyah order, by observing Gyarvi Sharif. This monthly occasion provides a sacred opportunity for devotees and followers of Ahli Bayt and Auliya-e-Kiram to offer heartfelt praises and supplications to Allah, our sole sustainer. Through “Zikr-Azkaar” and “Khatmaatul-Moazamat”, we seek Allah’s blessings and guidance. We also pay tribute to our beloved Prophet (PBUH) with “Darood-Azkaar”, and we recite “Kibrat-Sharif”, a book containing praises showered by Hazrat Ghous upon the Holy Prophet (SAW). May Allah inspire us to follow in the footsteps of the noble saints, who reminded us that there is no God but Allah, and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is His servant and messenger.

In Kashmir, the central gathering takes place at the revered Dastgeer Sahib Shrine in Khanyar, Srinagar, where the observance of Gyarvi Sharif commenced with the arrival and permanent settlement of Hazrat Syed Mohammed Fazil Shah Gilani (RA), lovingly known as “Hazrat Sakhi Shah”. History reveals that in the year  1090 hijri /1679 A D, two brothers, namely Hazrat Syed Abul Hassan Gilani (RA) and Hazrat Syed Mohammed Fazil Gilani (RA), arrived in Srinagar and first stayed near Idd Gah. Both came to Kashmir as per the spiritual directions of their ancestor, Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam (RA). Their companions, friends, and servants had come along with them. Later, Khwaja Abdul Qadir Chewoo gifted them his land and a house at Khanyar. This transformed Khanyar into a hub of spiritual seekers, attracting scholars and Sufi saints. Noted personalities of the time, like Baba Usman Qadri, Khwaja Abdul Rahim Qadri, and Khwaja Mohammad Murad Tang, became his disciples.

In the revered lineage of Sufi saints, Hazrat Sakhi Shah Mohammad Fazil Qadiri Gilani (RA) shines as a radiant exemplar of spiritual excellence. The family tree goes like this: Syed Sakhi Mohammad Fazil Gilani S/O Syed Abdullah Thathvi Gilani S/O Syed Mehmood Hamvi Gilani S/O Syed Abdul Qadir Sani Gilani S/O Syed Abdul Basit Gilani S/O Syed Shah Hussain Gilani S/O Syed Shahab-ud-Din Ahmed Gilani S/O Syed Sharaf-ud-Din Qasim Gilani S/O Syed Mohi-ud-Din Yahya Salis Gilani S/O Syed Badr-ud-Din Hassan Gilani S/O Syed Ala-ud-Din Ali Gilani S/O Syed Shams-ud-Din Abu Abdullah Gilani S/O Syed Saif-ud-Din Abu Zakariya Gilani S/O Syed Zahir-ud-Din Abu Masood Gilani S/O Syed Mohi-ud-Din Mir Abu Nasr Gilani S/O Syed Imad-ud-Din Mir Abu Sualeh Gilani S/O Syed Abdur Razaq Gilani S/O Ghous-ul-Azam Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) (References from Zikr Sadati Gilania / Aainay Fitrat and Zamzama).

Actually, this family had come from Baghdad to Hamma. From Hamma, Syed Abdul Qadir Sani had shifted to Thatha Sakhar, Sindh. Hazrat Syed Abul Hassan Gilani (RA), who, along with his brother, had arrived in Srinagar, returned to Peshawar in abidance with the spiritual guidance of Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam. His shrine is famous in Peshawar by the name of Dargah Hassan Badshah. He is the father of the renowned saint Hazrat Syed Shah Mohammad Ghous Lahori, whose shrine is famous in Lahore. It was due to the permanent stay of Hazrat Sakhi Shah Mohammed Fazil Gilani in Kashmir that thousands of people, including contemporary religious scholars, nobles, landlords, and leaders, joined the “Silsilai-Qadria”, and Khanyar  came to be the centre of its operations.

Hazrat Syed Mohammed Fazil Qadri Gilani (RA) was the first heir (Sajada Nisheen) of the Holy Shrine. He was followed by his son, Hazrat Syed Mehmood Qadri Gilani (RA), then his son, Hazrat Syed Ghulam-ud-Din Azad Qadri Gilani, and then his son, Hazrat Syed Buzarg Shah Qadri Gilani, who became the Shrine Heirs (Sajada Nisheen).

Here in Khanyar, Srinagar, Hazrat Syed Sakhi Shah, a direct descendant of Ghous-ul-Azam (RA), followed the spiritual guidance of Janabi Ghous-ul-Azam to reach this sacred destination. His mausoleum, nestled within the heart of the Dastgeer Sahib Shrine at Khanyar, remains a sacred site, attracting devotees seeking blessings and guidance. The majestic Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, built in 1806 A.D. in Srinagar’s Khanyar locality, honours Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam’s memory. Renovated by Khwaja Sonaullah Shawl in 1877 A.D., this sacred site embodies spirituality.

As we walk through the shrine, let us strive to cultivate Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam’s virtues, guided by his legacy. Kashmir’s spiritual heritage dates back to 1090 hijri /1679 A D, when Hazrat Syed Sakhi Shah Gilani arrived in Khanyar. This land has long been a spiritual hub, blessed by great saints. Hospitable Kashmiris have preserved meditation sites and holy tombs. Notably, Hazrat Ghous-ul-Azam (RA) never visited Srinagar; instead, his great-grandson, Hazrat Syed Sakhi Shah Fazil Gilani (RA), settled permanently. These historical facts are documented in Aainay Fitrat/ Zikr Sadaat Gilania, authored by Late Syed Mubarak Shah Fitrat Gilani, noted Persian poet, and from Zamzama, authored by Mr Syed Mohammad Yahya Gilani, noted author.

Syed Majid Gilani is a storyteller by passion and a government officer by profession. He shares heartfelt thoughts on family values and human emotions. You can reach him at syedmajid6676@gmail.com.