'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

see Sufism, ibn 'Arabi

About the author:
'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, born near the Caspian Sea, was the son of the great saint Fatima bint Abdullah al-Sawma'i. After a period of intense intellectual and mystical training he received the khirqa (robe of initiation) and was soon recognised as a saint and scholar, consulted, loved and
revered by caliph and pauper alike. As one of the most venerated figures in Sufism his burial place in Baghdad still attracts numerous visitors from many countries.
He is widely known by the honorific, 'the Sultan of the
Saints (awliya) of Allah'. In the history of the Saints of Islam, Shaikh Abd al-Qadir stands out as being unique, in the broad scope of perfection that includes his lineage, his complete development, piety, knowledge of the religion and adherence to the Sacred Law (Sharia), his intimate and direct knowledge of the Divine, and his establishment by the Lord of All the Worlds at the level of Reality (Haqiqa). Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir lived almost a thousand years ago, but his words transcend the time and place in which they were recorded to span the centuries without difficulty.
Revered to this day as the supreme spiritual helper (al-Ghawth al-A'zam) the Shaikh addresses his audience at a level that bypasses the heart and mind. His discourses are justly ranked among the most beautiful oratory the
world has ever known.

SUFFICIENT PROVISION FOR SEEKERS OF THE PATH OF TRUTH (Al-Ghunya liTalibi Tariq al-Haqq) by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated Muhtar Holland ($110.00, paperback,  1738 pages 1 edition Volumes 1-5, Al-Baz Publishing Inc; ISBN: 1882216121

This encyclopedic work is a complete resource on the inner and outer aspects of Islam. The translation is published in 5 handsome volumes. The Shaykh provides a comprehensive exposition of both the outer and inner aspects of Islam. His words shed light on the workings of the spiritual core of the human being, as well as on the traditional norms of external conduct. The proper attitude to going on a journey, he tells the Seeker of the Path of Truth, is best described in the language of spiritual experience. Translated by Muhtar Holland into English for the first time, and over five and a half years in the translating, this work is undoubtedly the publishing
event of this century and a treasure of unimaginable value to seekers on the sufi path.

THE SECRET OF SECRETS by Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak ($29.95, paperback,
122 pages, Golden Palm Series, Islamic Texts Society; ISBN: 0946621292)
This work, which contain a biographical introduction to one of the author's least-known works, represents a valuable contribution to the field.The translator's introduction provides an insight into the various personal
qualities and divine graces which are recognised in combination as a proof of sainthood. It is clearly and elegantly presented, accessible, and has the merit of combining metaphysical doctrine with devotional ethics as
encapsulated in the life and work of one of the most endearingly popular Sufis of all time.
An interpretative translation by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak of Sirr al-Asrar by Hadrat Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (1077-1166), considered by many to be one of the greatest saints of Islam and the eponymous founder of the Qadiriyya
order. This book, appearing in English for the first time, contains the very essence of Sufism, giving a Sufi explanation of how the outward practises of Islam - prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage - contain a wealth of inner dimension which must be discovered and enjoyed if external actions are to be performed in a manner pleasing to God. When this is achieved the
soul finds true peace and the spiritual life becomes complete. The book forms a bridge between two of the author's more famous works, Wealth for the Seekers and his Opening of the Unseen. It is said that unless one has
discovered the Secret, one may not be able to absorb the impact of Openings.
REVELATIONS OF THE UNSEEN (Futuh al-Ghaib) by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated Muhtar Holland ($19.00, paperback,  192 pages, Al-Baz Publishing Inc; ISBN: 1882216016)
This is a collection of seventy-eight discourses of the Shaykh who was known by his students for his extraordinary spiritual experiences and exploits.. These talks, short and to the point, are among the most beautiful oratory the world has ever known. Perhaps the most well known collection of the great Shaikh’s discourses, these short and powerful talks cover topics of interest to every seeker of the spiritual path. A glimpse at the some of the topics covered will reassure the reader that the Shaikh is addressing issues that are as pertinent in this day and age as the day he spoke about them so many hundreds of years ago. Here is a small sample:
On passing beyond the creation; On drawing near to Allah; On fear and hope; On trust and its stages; On how the contact [wusul] with Allah is attained; On not complaining; On the classification of the seeker’s state; On the two conditions of the self [nafs]; On the reason for the trials borne by certain believers; On the seeker and the sought.

THE SUBLIME REVELATION: (Al-Fath ar-Rabbani) by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated Muhtar Holland ($29.00, paperback,  192 pages, Al-Baz Publishing Inc; ISBN: 1882216024)
The talks contained in this work are among the most beautiful oratory the world has ever known. This translation is intended to make them more widely available and accessible to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It is said of the author, He was born in love, grew in perfection, and met his Lord in the perfection of love.

FIFTEEN LETTERS: (Khamsata 'Ashara Maktuban) by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated Muhtar Holland ($10.00, paperback,  75 pages, Al-Baz Publishing Inc; ISBN: 1882216164)
Fifteen letters by the Sufi Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani to one of his disciples. Originally written in Persian, they were translated into Arabic by 'Ali Husamu'd-din al-Muttaqi (the Devout), who said of them, "... these
letters comprise nuggets of wisdom and spiritual counsel, couched in various forms of allegory, metaphor, paraphrase and quotation, including approximately two hundred and seventy-five Qur'anic verses. They also
contain allusions to the experiences [adhwaq] and spiritual states [halat] of the Sufis (may Allah's good pleasure be conferred upon them all).

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