The family of Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani
Shaykh Abdul
Qaadir Jilani’s (RA) maternal grandfather, Sayyiduna Abdullah Sawma’ee (RA),
was from the venerable saints of Jilan.
Apart from being very pious, he (RA) was
a man of great virtue and an accomplished individual. He was Mustajaab-ulDa’waat, (i.e. his
supplications would be accepted). If he ever became displeased with someone,
Allah Almighty would avenge that person. Whoever he was pleased with, Allah
Almighty would honour that person with reward and respect.
Despite
being physically weak, he (RA) would perform voluntary prayers (Nawafil) in
abundance and remain occupied in the remembrance of Allah Almighty. He (RA) would often foretell of many events before
their occurrence, which would then transpire exactly as he would have foretold.
The epithet
of Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani’s paternal aunt was ‘Umm-e-Muhammad’, and her
name was ‘Aaishah Bint Abdullah’. She was
a pious lady possessing saintly miracles. People would visit her for the
fulfilment of their needs and ask her to pray for them. Shaykh Abdul Qaadir (RA) also had a brother whose name was
Sayyid Abu Ahmad Abdullah, who was younger than Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani . He had gained a large share of knowledge
and piety, but passed away in his youth. Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani’s family consisted of pious people. His maternal
grandfather, paternal grandfather, father, mother, paternal aunt, brother and
sons were all pious and righteous, which is why people referred to them as the
‘noble family’