|
|
|
| |
Dignitaries
of Jillani Family Who Served Tariqa Qadiria |
|
|
AL SYED-ABDUL SALAM AL
GILANI IBN SYED AL NAQEEB-AL-ASHRAF. He is known to be a
great Sufi and Wali of his time possessed of powers of Karamat
(Miracles). He remained most of the time in Afghanistan and India.
People who have seen him and gave benefited themselves still are
found in various parts of Baluchistan. He had two pets, a Goat and a
Wolf which lived to gather. He was very generous in giving his
spiritual powers to those in search of Truth. He always extended
extreme courtesy and regards to the learned, the pupils particularly
and the visitors generally. He was very popular in Afghanistan and
had thousands of Mureeds, friends and admirers.
NAQEEB ZADA AL SYED PIR JAMAL-UD-DIN
AL-GILANI IBN AL SYED MAHMOOD HUSSAMMUDDIN AL NAQEEB AL-ASHRAF.
After the demise of Syed Mahmood Hussammud-din his father, he was
requested to undertake the responsibilities of Naqeeb Al-Ashraf.
Owing to certain personal reasons and advance age, he declined the
offer. He married in the family of Nawab Shuja-ul-Muluk of CHITRAL,
Nawab Khudia Dad Khan of KALAT. He remained during the major part of
his life in Afghanistan and India. He is presently residing in
Bombay. He is known to be a great Sufi and devotee of truth,
possessed of Kashaf and Karamat.
HIS EXALTED HOLINESS AL-SYED NAQEEB ZADA
PIR MUHAMMAD TAHIR ALLAUDDIN AL-JILANI IBN NAQEEB AL ASHRAF SYED
MAHMOOD HUSSAMUDDIN AL JILANI. He was an earnest
propagator of the Qadiria Order. He appeared to have imbibed within
himself the virtues and characterestics of his ancestor Syeidena
Ghousul Azam, He possessed a most fasinating personality and was
always eager to initiate action for the dissemination of the real
teachings of Islam and the Tariqa Qadiria.
He was a true devotee and his life appears attracted towards the
personality of his Great father Seyidena Abdul Qadir Muhiyuddin
Jilani and inherits spiritual effervescence of that great saint.
He followed the teaching scrupulously of the Holy Prophet, remains
always within his foot steps. He constantly reminded his Murids and
devotees that in all conditions of life they should obscure the
commandments of Allah and abstain from evil.
He emphatically warned them not to create innovations but to remain
obedient to Allah and his Prophet(PBUH). He stressed the need to
love one another, not to bear spite towards one another, and to keep
free from vices to become polluted by them. He exhorted the people
to make haste in repenting for their mis-deeds and endeavour to
return to Allah. This spiritual luminary arrived in Pakistan in 1956
and ever since his arrival he had published substantial literature
for the guidance of Muslims and for the promotion and propagation of
his Tariqa. These are listed elsewhere in this book.
During this short space of time, his efforts have not only
re-enlivened the lethargic attitude of Mureeds of the Qadiria Order
in Ceylon, but also that of those in the world. He enjoyed over
whelming popularity in Pakistan and Ceylon. During his visit to
Ceylon in 1958, he felt the necessity of establishing Home for the
needy and Orphan children of Ceylon He accordingly invited all
friends and Murids for a conference at IQBAL HALL, ZAHIRA COLLEGE,
COLOMBO, on 20th November, 1958. He thus availed the opportunity of
his visit to Ceylon in discussing and formulating a scheme for the
establishment of an institution for the purpose. He addressed the
mammoth audience with favour and told them: May we get together to
establish some for the needy and orphan children. Let us launch upon
it by dedicating our cause to Allah in The Spirit of Islam and its
good name.
To enable us to inculcate to our needy and orphan children the
principles of our religion, to guide them in the correct path, to
turn them out as members with stature and character, the
establishment of such an institution is a necessity and it is our
duty to provide for one.
“Those who will sympathise with our cause will not be unrewarded.
It is an injunction of Allah that unless you part with
wholeheartedly, what you cherish most you fail in merit. Allah has
also said that you must be united in the performance of righteous
acts and that you should avoid the path of sin and licentiousness.
Has he not also said that He will never be round wanting to aid
those who devote themselves in His path”. Charitableness is a
quality cherished by Allah. The wealth that is spent in the cause of
Allah will never be lost. Has not our Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) said
that “what you sow you will reap”. Until you make available what
you most cherish, your faith will not be complete.
The hand of Allah is the whole community of Islam. It is an
injuction of Allah that you do not oppress the orphans but sustain
them. The superiority in wealth among some should not be a source of
complaint by those not so blessed. The former must look after the
latter Now you must be convinced that it is the duty of every Muslim
male and female that to make a united effort in the traditions of
the brotherhood of Islam for the resuscitation and rehabilitation of
children. For the attainment of his object, an institution of the
type we envisage is a dire and crying need in Ceylon.
There are very many Mosques, Zavias and Thakiyas but their isn’t
one single home with that environment that is very necessary for the
healthy growth of a child in needy circumstances, whereat the young
child can be natured, looked after and guided in the correct path.
The absence of such an institution is reflected in the fact that
many an orphan and needy child has discarded the religion, grown up
to become vagrants, thieves, drunkards, gamblers, sexual offenders,
deceits and fools. Hence it has become all the more incumbant on all
of us to become charitable and to help in the achievement of this
cause of providing them with shelter in an establishment to nurture
them, to look after them and to provide them with the necessities of
life and to bring them up in the Islamic tradition and thoughts.
More so, as all children are born in the faith of Islam.
This is a service to Islam and to those who profess it. This is one
of the most urgent needs of the day for the Muslims in Ceylon. All
over Muslim world, you find institutions of this type. This
institution should be inaugurated by you and should grow up with
you. The reward will be yours and you will earn the gratitude and
blessings of Allah. With Allah Islam is the only religion. The
example has also been set to you in the lives of all the Walis
Savants and Prophets.
It is indeed a for greater charity to contribute to this cause than
waste your wealth on deceivers, scorers, exploiters and others who
live on their wits, playing confidence trick by exploiting the good
name of Allah. Allah has revealed that those who live by such means
will have not salvation on the Day of Judgement.
An institution of the lines we foreshadow will render a most useful
service to the entire Island. This is a charity that will find a
reward even after death.
In the name of our Prophet (Peace Be On Him) His disciples, His
descendants and His wives and in the name of the Kutub of Kutubs and
Sheikh of Sheikhs the Mighty Ghousul Azam Muhiyuddin Abdul Qadir
Jilany (May Allah protect the secret of His Greatness) and in the
name of all our Saints, Walis, Savants and the Blessed ones may we
lift our hands in prayer that this institution may gaina firm
foothold in the Island and continues to grow from strength to
strength in a united effort.
This stirring appeal resulted in the formulation of a Committee,
which included many prominent Muslims of Ceylon as members. This
voice of this great supporter of the poor even crossed the bounds of
Ceylon and contributions were received from even Pakistan and India.
The Ceylon Observer of 4th October, 1959 reporting this conference
with photograph indicating the activities of the orphanage wrote
under the caption “where the orphans find happiness” stated “In
a bright friendly home in Ratmalana, little orphan boys are finding
love and affection of the kind they hardly dared to hope for. It is
the Islamic Home for Needy and Orphan Children, the first Muslim
home of its kind, founded not long ago by His Holiness Peer Syed
Tahir Allauddin Al Jilani, the home’s life patron. Boys are cared
for with motherly devotion by the Matron of the Home, who has room
in her heart.
Children between the ages of 5 and 12 thrown out into the wide world
to fend for themselves are given peace and security in the Home,
after selection through a board. There they are given medical
treatment, clean clothes, food, shelter and the education of the
mind and heart, which can only come through constant love and care.
The boys attend a Government School were they rank among the
brightest pupils. In the evening they amuse themselves in a clean,
wide garden or within the scrubbed walls of the house itself. It is
a prime example of the practical application of civic obligation.
AL SYED MUHAMMAD AL JILANI IBN AL SYED
ABDULLAH. He was a well-known Sufi of that time and an
earnest preacher of Tariqa Qadiria.He was virtuous, God fearing and
pious.
AL SYED NASIBUDDIAN AL JILANI IBN SYED
SAFFAUDDIN. He is very influential and capable person in
social activities and remains active in the propagation of Tariqa
Qadiria.
AL SYED ABDUL QADIR JILANI IBN SYED
ABDULLAH IBN SYED. ALI AL NAQEEB. He is very pious and
God fearing personality. He has a love for the Muslim world and
remains worried about their welfare. He is presently in Pakistan as
an Ambassador of the Government of Iraq.
NAQEEB ZADA AL SYED ABDUR RAZAK IBN SYED
SULEMAN AL NAQEEB. He was a great scholar and was very
pious and charitable. He laboured towards the spread of Islamic
learnings and in the preaching of his Order.
AL SYED AHMEDAL JILANI IBN SYED RASHID AL
GILANI. He was an earnest devotee of Allah well known for
his piety and charity.
AL SYED ABDULLAH MOIAYAD IBN SYED ABDUL
REHMAN AL JILANI. He has always served the cause of Islam
and the Qadiri Order. He takes particular care to look after the
Auqaf-e-Qadiria property. He is virtuous and pious.
AL SYED YOOSUF ZIAUDDIN AL JILANI IBN SYED
MAHMOOD HUSSCMUDDIN AL JILANI. He is an advocate by
profession and Sufi by nature. He is a true devotee and a Poet. He
writes an Arabic and Persian in vindication of the Holy Prophet. He
is an ex-officio Nazim and Vakeel of the property attached to the
Auqaf Qadiria. He defends and initiates actions relating to the
above. He regards and loves the poor and has a good number of
devotees.
AL SYED ABDUL AZIZ MUAZIZ IBN SYED ABDUR
REHMAN. He is a mystic and has long ago discarded all
relations with this world and remains wholly devoted to Allah. His
Mureeds include mostly of Presians and Turks.
SYED MAJUDDIN AL JILANI IBN SYED ABDUR
REHMAN AL JILANI. He is a most earnest social worker and
out of love and reverence is known as the Brigadier of the Masses.
He has effectively served the Qadiria Order.
AL SYED HAMID IBN SYED TAUFEEQ IBN SYED
HAMID AL JILANI. He is a young man of virtuous habits and
has great love for the service of Islam and the Tariqa Qadiria.
AL SYED WALID IBN SYED MOHAYUDDIN IBN SYED
ABDUL RAZAK AL SYED KHIZAR AL JILANI. He is a young man
of most attractive habits and very much devoted to prayer and Zikr.
AL SYED MANSOOR IBN SYED SAFFAUDDIN AL
JILANI. He is God fearing and fond of the company of
Draveshas. He is pious and charitable and has served the Qadiria
Order in Syria.
AL SYED BURHANUDDIN AL JILANI.
He is pious and God fearing. He was a Member of Parliament for some
time and has also been a Judge in the Baghdad Courts. He left all
activities and devoted himself exclusively to the management,
service and upkeep of the Darbar Ghousul Azam. He is pious and
opposed to Jewry. He is very much sympathetic towards the refugees
from Palestine.
This noble and sacred family of Jilani appeared like a Moon and
became famous throughout the country by virtue of its dignity,
respect, domination and governance. The retribution of Halacoo Khan’s
havoc, and Persian and internal chaos disturbed peace and security
in IRAQ and destroyed its glory and eminence. During this time, its
people became depressed and dejected. When the Members of the Jilani
Family returned to Baghdad from different Towns and gathered there,
the family, on account of its nobility and prominence, restored some
confidence to consolidate the country by acting upon the principles
laid down be their prominent Grandfathers, Syed Abdul Qadir
Jilani.
They then devoted their concentrated efforts towards a return to
good manners and the acquisition of virtues, in order to gain wisdom
by the pursuit or a religious struggle to enrich the learning of the
people. They persued and moulded their lives in accordance with the
procedure of their illustrious Grand Parent by rigidly observing his
course of action They thus justified that nobility of the house of
‘Hazrat Ali’ their prominent Great Grand Parent and regained
their ancient regard and respect. The people of these countries
gathered round them and recognised the importance of their
authority.
Although many a noble and great family appeared in Baghdad and also
in Iraq, some of them only gained prominence and success, on account
of their superior knowledge or outstanding activities or distinction
achieved, in their effort or effluence of some of them. The Jilani
Family however possessed al factors to achieve greatness and
prominence. This family therefore naturally became famous in all the
countries and came to be known as the family of ‘HASIMIA’, ‘JILANIA’
of “Naqabat-e-Qadiria”.
When Sultan Murad invaded the Persians defeated them and conqured
Baghdad, he restored to the Jilani Family their ancient respected
status and appointed many amongst them to responsible positions. He
granted honorarium and stipends to the progeny of Sheikh Abdul Qadir
Jilani. For example, the Register of Shahi Firmans (serial No.1 page
No. 12, 16 of 7th. Zulhaj 1260 A.H.) refers to the Auwqaf of Hazrat
Ghousul-Azam in dignified terms in connection with appointments
conferred on them. The Sultan of Turkey in referring to this family
and the Qadiria Order, used phraseology as most exalted and sacred”.
These Firmans even now are available in the records of the
department of Aneograf of the Government of IRAQ.
The Jilani family in Baghdad consists of nearly 130 members, both
male and females. The esteem and regard for this family are so high,
some of their servants have resorted to claim relationship with this
family by fabricating fictitious pedigrees of decent from Syed Abdur
Razak the son of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, despite the fact that
all the descendants of Syed Abdul Razak passed away during the
Cholera epidemic in Baghdad at the time. In the whole Muslim world,
it may say that this is the only Syed family which shunned party
politics and activities aimed for their own personal ends. They have
guided always their Murids, according to the essentials of the
Qadiria Order.
The choice for the appointment of ‘NAQEEB’ falls upon a person
from among the members of the Jilani family who is mature in age,
possesses dignity and is noted for his examplary conduct and
prominent leadership in matters of refirms. The choice is carefully
made as the “Naqeeb” is to be entrusted with the care and
administration of the affairs Auwqaf (trusts) and its appeheges, The
Naqeeb is required to watch the circumstances and developments to
ensure proper utilisation of the Auwqaf funds toward the proper care
of the poor and the needy. This sacred trust entailed in the duty of
the NAQEEB widens his influence day by day to command his profound
respect by the people of IRAQ.
The people of IRAQ do not submit so much before a ruler as they do
in the case of the Naqeeb. The neither pays so much regard to any
other personality however great as they do to recognised Syeds or
learned or prominent religious leaders.
Since the religious and social leaders of Iraq hold the Jilani
family in very high esteem, it was most apt and advisible to choose
one from this particular family for the eminent post of Naqeeb, so
highly regarded by Government circles. This highly rate rank of
Naqeeb was, therefore, confessed under the influence of the
Government, which plays a prominent part in the choice. The concern
of the ruling authority in casting its influence to choose a Naqeeb
from the Jilani family is clear, since in doing so, the Government
itself would earn popularity from the whole nation by the measure
influence, respect and regard the NAQEEB could wield and command
over the people. In this way the descendants of Syed Abdul Qadir
Jilani without seeking, dained dominance to hold a very high place
in the life of the community whom they served so well by their
personalities and examplary conduct.
Literally NAQEEB is one who keeps watch over the affairs of a people
exercises a Sui veillance over them and possesses insight. Virtually
he is a leader of his people and is deemed responsible for their
progress or other wise. Therefore, logically and factually the
Naqeeb functions as one responsible for saving the destiny of his
people in hard trying times and for the issue of commands to help
steering safely the ship of state in any circumstances.
Being the leader of his people the Naqeeb is charged with the
responsibility of giving an account of the deeds of the people. In
view of the fact that a Naqeeb is a medium of good relationship
between the people and their ruler, since ancient times Government
entrusted him with the responsibility of maintaining public
relations between the masses and the Government of the day and also
in restraining undesirable elements from doing evil.
The NAQEEB also enjoys an honoured place in Spiritual and religious
points of view. Accordingly contemporary Muslim Soverign and Caliphs
also held the NAQEEB in very high esteem, as is obvious from the
historical facts of the periods of Umayyih, usmaniyya and Abbaside
dynasties. The NAQEEB counsels the rulers regarding the progress or
decline of the people in order to focus attention towards its causes
and to suggest to them ways and means for decisive suitable
measures. The NAQEEB therefore continues to be high and esteemed
office. ‘The direct’ descendents in the line of NAQIB UL-ASHRAF,
therefore, use the honorific NAQIB ZADA and the ‘lateral’
descendents are generally known by the term Al-Jilani prefixed to
their names.
It would not therefore be surprising that the early elders of this
distinguished family possessed very high religious and statesmanly
qualities. Their galaxy provided seasons politicians, wise scholars,
famed writers, gallant warriors and spirited patriots; They earned a
name in the annals of history for such qualities as generousity,
piety and faith. From the beginning, this family bore such eminent
dignitaries who found a respectable place in history for their great
accomplishments in the field of learning and philosophy. The Jilani
family has produced brilliant scholars and thinkers whose
meritorious services are still recognised as one worthy of world
wide fame.
Many great contemporary writers felt proud in dedicating their works
to these great scholars and thinkers. The poets of the time and
thereafter have paid tributes to them in verse and other prose. The
Jilani family enjoys a high and esteemed reputation. It will be more
appropriate to derrible them as sovereigns among their people, lofty
in learning, scholarly in their pronouncement and philosophical.
This high esteem and regard the people held for this family,
influenced the rulers to appoint them as leading men of IRAQ, for
the purpose of gaining popularity to remain stable envious of them.
Once King Fesil I expressed to some one that he was not only the
king of IRAQ, but also belonged to the Syed family. He cannot,
therefore, understand why the people failed to pay him that much of
respect which they extended to the members of the Jilani family.
One of the Ministers named Yaseen Al-Hashmi who was also a Syed
replied to King Fesil I, stating that he and the king were Amirs and
Syeds by birth and belonged to the noble families of IRAQ. But they
neither had any followers or Murids nor was a Grand Father so
prominent as HAZRAT GHOUSE-UL-AZAM. Even very recently whenever AL
SYED TAHIR ALLAUDDIN AL-Jilani in a very young age used to
participate in the Royal Gatherings, the prominent people and the
guards received him with so much honour and affection that the Royal
family did not like to appreciate this great gesture, which to them,
were denied by their very same people. The relations or alliance
between Syed Rajab Afaidi Al-Jilani with Ali Pasha Abu Khadara,
Governor of Suleman Afridi Aljilani, with Sultan Abdul Hamid of
Turkey and of Syed Suleman, son of Syed Ali Aljilani, with Sultan
Nassiruddin of IRAN, Al-Jilani indicate the world wide fame of these
Naqeebs to reduce the fame of even the kings of their time.
Even in very recent times, the relations between General
Mout-ud-Syed Abdur Rehman, Col. Wylis and Percy Cox with Syed
Mohammad Hussan-uddin were not very much cordial. These political
officers were always more mindful of the opinion of the NAQEEB, It
was their strong conviction by virtue of the status of NAQEEB that
to win the confidence of the NAQEEB was to win the majority of the
people of IRAQ and consequently of the whole Islamic world.
The members of this noble family have, from time to time, been
pleading the cause of truth, and resisting all kinds of opposition
for the sake of their religion and the solidarity and prosperity of
IRAQ. |
|
