Abdul Qadir - Gilani |best|

When he finally began preaching in 1127 CE at the age of 50, the effect was electrifying. Abdul Qadir Gilani bridged the gap between Islamic Law (Sharia) and Spiritual Truth (Haqiqa) . He taught that you cannot have one without the other.

But who was this man? Was he merely a medieval preacher, or was he a revolutionary force of inner peace? Born in the Persian province of Gilan (modern-day Iran) in 1077, Gilani was a Sayyid—a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his grandson, Hasan. At the age of 18, he left his mother’s home to study in Baghdad, the intellectual capital of the world. A famous anecdote: Before he left, his mother sewed 40 gold coins into his coat. On the road, a group of bandits stopped him. When asked if he had any valuables, Gilani replied, "Yes, 40 gold coins." The bandits laughed, assuming he was lying. When they found the coins, they asked why he told the truth. He replied: "My mother told me never to lie. I cannot disobey her even in the face of death." That honesty converted the chief bandit on the spot. The Forty Years of Solitude In Baghdad, Gilani did not jump to fame. Instead, he spent 25 years in the wilderness of Iraq and another 15 years in a basement cell in his own home. During this time, he practiced severe austerity, fasting, and silent contemplation. He emerged only when his ego was completely annihilated and his soul fully illuminated. abdul qadir gilani

In the annals of Islamic history, few figures shine as brightly as Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166 CE). Known reverently as Ghous-ul-Azam (the "Supreme Helper") and Mahboob-e-Subhani (the "Beloved of the Almighty"), he is the founder of the Qadiriyya Sufi order —one of the oldest and most widespread spiritual traditions in the world. When he finally began preaching in 1127 CE