In Baghdad in the twelfth century there lived a pious saint who was the
most famous in the whole Islamic world and all the other saints
accepted him as their spiritual leader and bowed down their necks
before his feet. His name was Shaykh ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani and he was
known as the Ghawth al Azam (the Greatest Helper) and the Qutb al Aqt�b
(‘the Pole of the spiritual Poles’ i.e. he who is at the apex of the
spiritual hierarchy of saints).
One night, a notorious thief entered the house of Shaykh Abd al Qadir Jilani and tried to steal something. However, the Shaykh’s servant was awake and captured the man. The thief was terrified of what would become of him for trying to rob the house of such a pious and respected saint of Allah and asked for forgiveness. The servant was very cross and held him tightly. Presently, hearing the commotion, the Shaykh –who was in his little room engaged in his nightly vigils and worship—came to the scene and asked what was the matter. The servant explained what had happened and the Shaykh approached the thief and said, “Young man! You have come to the house of ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani to steal something. Yet, if you go away with nothing people will think that you returned from my house empty-handed! I am from that family which never sends away anybody empty-handed! I am from the family of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and his family and give him peace!) It has been revealed to me by inspiration by Allah that one of the Poles (qutb) has just passed away tonight. Go! I make you into a Pole so that you may replace him who has passed away!”
Thus the thief entered the house of the Shaykh a robber and a criminal and left as one of the chief saints! Know from this the closeness of the Sultan of the Shaykhs to Allah and the power he has been granted to help!
One night, a notorious thief entered the house of Shaykh Abd al Qadir Jilani and tried to steal something. However, the Shaykh’s servant was awake and captured the man. The thief was terrified of what would become of him for trying to rob the house of such a pious and respected saint of Allah and asked for forgiveness. The servant was very cross and held him tightly. Presently, hearing the commotion, the Shaykh –who was in his little room engaged in his nightly vigils and worship—came to the scene and asked what was the matter. The servant explained what had happened and the Shaykh approached the thief and said, “Young man! You have come to the house of ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani to steal something. Yet, if you go away with nothing people will think that you returned from my house empty-handed! I am from that family which never sends away anybody empty-handed! I am from the family of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and his family and give him peace!) It has been revealed to me by inspiration by Allah that one of the Poles (qutb) has just passed away tonight. Go! I make you into a Pole so that you may replace him who has passed away!”
Thus the thief entered the house of the Shaykh a robber and a criminal and left as one of the chief saints! Know from this the closeness of the Sultan of the Shaykhs to Allah and the power he has been granted to help!
