O devotees of the Messenger! Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه had deep-rooted passion to spread the knowledge of Islam. Most of his time was devoted to scholarly and academic endeavours, and he strove to not let even a second go to waste. Hearing of his unmatched spiritual and scholarly standing, students flocked to him from across the world.

The shaykh was a compendium of knowledge and practical implementation. Anyone who sought knowledge from him never left empty handed. Let us now discuss his great knowledge, noble deeds and scholarly services.

His scholarly expertise

The erudite judge in Islamic law, Abū Saʿīd Mubārak رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه had a madrassah in Baghdad. When he became aware of the scholarly excellence of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه and his righteous deeds, Abū Saʿīd gave his entire madrassah to the shaykh. When people came to know of the shaykh’s knowledge, expertise and spiritual prowess, they proceeded to attend this madrassah in droves.^[1]

Affection towards students

Dear Islamic brothers! From amongst his list of qualities, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه exhibited great affection towards students of sacred knowledge, fulfilling even their smallest of needs.

Assisting a student in the path of knowledge

Ibn Qudāmah al-Ḥanbalī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was asked about the eminent shaykh, and replied by saying:

We became acquainted with him towards the end of his life, and stayed in his madrassah. He would send his own son Yaḥyā to light lamps for us, and provide food for us from his own home.^[2]