Then he said to the Caliph, “Do you not feel shame before Allah Almighty for coming to me with the blood of people?”

Hearing this, the Caliph fell unconscious.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers, the above-mentioned account shows us that Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه exemplified ascetism and piety, and had no interest in material wealth, which is why he refused the Caliph’s offering. He was not intimated by people of authority, and he did not seek to flatter and please people of worldly status. Rather, he would advise and exhort them and try to rectify them in any way possible.

Only the one who has a desire to attain the lowly wealth of the world would seek to flatter the wealthy, but the people of Allah Almighty possess the precious treasure of contentment; their focus is not the temporary wealth of the rich, but rather the mercy of Allah Almighty.

Two-thirds of one’s religion departs!

Keep in mind that Islamic law prohibits us from respecting rich people because of their wealth. It is said: “Whosoever is courteous towards a rich person on account of his wealth, two-thirds of his religion departs.”^[2]

O devotees of Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī, instead of seeking to flatter the people of worldly wealth and taking every opportunity to heap false praises upon them, we should invite them towards righteousness and encourage them to prepare for the Hereafter. If Allah Almighty wills, by