attain from his respective murshid are irreplaceable. For this reason, we shall also listen to and take guidance from the golden sayings of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه. We will also discuss the benefits of being a disciple (otherwise known as murīd) of the great shaykh.

Dear Islamic brothers! The birth of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was foretold by the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself, the other noble Prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام and various saints.

1. Good news from the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself

The father of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī was Sayyid Abū Ṣāliḥ Mūsā رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, famously known as jangī dost. On the night of the shaykh’s birth, his father saw the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in his home, along with the honourable Companions رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُم and saints رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـه, and he gave glad tidings by addressing him with the following words:

O Abū Ṣāliḥ! Allah has granted you a saintly child, beloved by Allah and I. His rank amongst the saints and saintly poles is like my rank amongst the Prophets and Messengers (عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام).^[1]

2. Glad tidings from other noble Prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام

The father of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was also given glad tidings by all the noble Prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام, in which they said: “Every saint رَحْمَۃُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَیْہِمْ اَجْمَعِیْن will be obedient to your son and his foot shall be upon their necks”.^[2]

Many saints رَحْمَۃُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَیْہِمْ اَجْمَعِیْن who preceded him also gave glad tidings of his arrival.