Brief Introduction of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (May Allah be pleased with him)

His name is Hazrat Abu Muhammad Muhiyuddin Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him). He was born in Jilan, Iran on Ramadan 1, 470 Hijri. He is the founder of the Silsila-e-Qadriya.

When Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) was a young boy, on the day of `Arafah in his village of Jilan, he began ploughing the field behind a bull. The bull looked at him and said, “O Abdul Qadir! You weren’t created for this.” Startled, the young Shaykh returned home and asked his mother to send him to Baghdad to acquire knowledge. His mother was extremely pleased and prepared to send him off. She brought him the 80 dinars that his father had left her. The Shaykh left half of it for his brother and his mother sewed the other 40 dinars into his garments. She exhorted him to speak the truth under any circumstances. She bid him farewell for the sake of Allah and said that she would now see him on the Day of Judgement.

Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) proceeded for Baghdad with a small caravan that was headed in that direction. On the way, the caravan was attacked by 60 bandits. One of them came to the young Shaykh and asked if he had anything on him, upon which the Shaykh replied that he had 40 dinars sewed into his garments. The bandit [not being able to believe the boy's honesty], thought that he was just joking. Another bandit came and had the same experience. They went and reported this to their leader who then called the boy and asked him what his motivation was in revealing his possession. The young Shaykh (may Allah be pleased with him) said that his mother had emphasized that he must always speak the truth and he couldn’t break his promise to her. These words penetrated and touched the heart of the leader of the bandits and he felt extreme remorse that this young boy was not breaking his promise to his mother whereas all these years he had been breaking his vows to his Lord. The leader of the bandits repented at the hands of the young Shaykh (may Allah be pleased with him) and all the other bandits followed suit.

The Shaykh passed into the realm of Divine Presence on Rabi-uth-Thaani 11, 561 Hijri at the age of 91 and rests in Baghdad Shareef, Iraq.

Isra and Miraj (Night Journey)

A day known ba many names (Meraj (Night Ascension): Isra and Miraj (Night Journey),
Shab-e-Meraj, Lailat-ul-Miraj, Miraj-un-Nabi)

Shab-i-Miraj means the night of Ascent. It is the blessed night when the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually transported to heaven and he reached a high stage of nearness to God Almighty which is beyond ordinary human comprehension. The Ascent took place on 27th day or Rajab, 2 years before Hijra. The journey was not with a physical body but was a vision of the highest type. On the way the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, met Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and some other Prophets. The purpose of the Ascent was to confirm the high status of the Prophet of Islam, a position which all Muslims believe, is impossible to attain by any other human being. It is related that even Gabriel, the Angel who was accompanying the Holy Prophet remarked at one stage, 'I am forced to stop here. I cannot go any further, but you O Messenger of peace and friend of the Master of the worlds, continue your glorious ascent.'

It is also related that the Holy Prophet continued his journey until he reached very close to the Throne of God Almighty and attained the utmost nearness to Him. After having drunk fully at the Divine fountain of spiritual knowledge he came down to impart the knowledge to mankind.

It was on this journey, that five daily prayers were made obligatory upon Muslims.

Celebrations:
According to popular belief, the Miraj or Spiritual Ascension took place on 27 of Rajab. On this day, in some Muslim countries the houses and streets and specially the mosques are decorated with colorful pennants and buntings, and at night they are well illuminated by means of electric lights, candles or even oil lamps. As evening approaches the worshippers assemble in the mosques and engage themselves in glorifying the Lord and in singing hymns in His praise and in praise of the Holy Prophet. Public meetings are also held generally after Isha Prayer in larger mosques where speakers throw light on the spiritual status of the Holy Prophet, and various aspects of his life. The story of his spiritual ascension is narrated in detail. After the meetings sweets are generally distributed. Muslims of means give money in charity and also distribute food among the poor. The devoted ones spend the whole night in the remembrance of God.

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