Proclaiming Ya Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani

Few amongst the masses use to object that to utter "Ya Shaykh Abd al Qadir Jilani" is Shirk because one is making partnership with Allah Ta’ala (committing Shirk) by asking for assistance from the creation of Allah Ta'ala. They say that one can only ask directly from Allah Ta’ala. The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at believes that it is absolutely permissible to say "Ya Sheikh Abd al Qaadir Jilani" when asking for assistance from those servants of Allah Ta'ala whom He has appointed as helpers of the Ummah.

We understand from the verse

اِیَّاکَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیۡنُ

You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help (and may we always).

which is found in Surah Fateha, that the True Helper is Allah Ta'ala. But it is Allah Ta’ala who has appointed helpers from within His servants to assist the creation with His permission.

Sayyiduna Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith Delhwi (Alaihir raHmah) explains the Tafseer of the verse "Iy'ya ka Na'budu Wa Iy'ya Ka Nastaeen" by writing:

"Here, it should be understood that to ask for assistance from anyone other than Allah, by putting full trust and not thinking of it as a marvel of Almighty Allah, is prohibited. But, if the attention is towards Allah and then to think of a person as the splendour of Almighty Allah and by keeping the means and wisdom of Almighty Allah before you, if one asks from anyone other than Allah, then this is not far from the Wisdom of Almighty Allah. This action is permissible and allowed in Shari’ah. To ask for help in this way is not really asking from someone but Allah, but in reality it is to ask from Allah." [Tafseer-e-Azeezi]

As long as a person bears this fact in mind that the True and Real Helper is Allah Ta'ala and no matter whom he asks from, it will be through the Mercy of Allah Ta'ala, then it is permissible to ask from such a person. This can never be termed as Shirk.

Sayyiduna Ghawth al-A’zam Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qādir Jilāni Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho (d.561/1164), states:

من استغاث بي في كر بة كشفت عنه و من نادى باسمي في شدة فرجت عنه و من توسل بي الى الله عز و جل في حاجته قضيت له و من صلى ركعتين يقرء في كل ركعة بعد الفاتحة سورة الاخلاص احدى عشرة مرة ثم يصلى على رسول الله صلى الله تعالى عليه و سلم بعد السلام و يسلم عليه ثم يخطوا الى جهة العراق احدى عشرة خطوة يذكر فيها اسمي و يذكر حاجتي فانها تقضي

If a person in distress or hardships calls out to me, his hardship will be eradicated. If a person uses my name as a Wasila (medium) when he pleads to Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, his need will be fulfilled. One should perform two Rakats of Salāh and in every Rakat one should recite the Sura Fateha eleven times, and thereafter, Sura Ikhlās eleven times. After completing the Salāh, one must recite the Durood and Salām (Salawāt or Darood Sharif) upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam. Then remembering me one should take eleven steps towards the direction of Baghdad invoking my name in every step and also one’s need and wish. In this manner, (Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala willing), his need and wish will be granted. [Bahjat al Asrar, Mustafa al-Babi (Egypt), Page 102 - Zubdat al Asraar, Page 101]

The above method has been mentioned and prescribed by eminent scholars such as,

Imām Abul Hasan Ali bin Jarir Lakh'mi Shat’noofi Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho (d.713/1314),
Imām ‘Abdullah bin Asad Yafa’i Makki Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho (d.750/1349),
Shaykh Mulla Ali Qāri Makki Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho (d.1014/1606) author of Mirqāt Shar’h Mishkāt,
Mawlana Abul-Maāli Muhammad Salmi al-Qadiri Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho and Shaykh-e-Muhaqqiq Mawlana ‘Abd al-Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho (d.1052/1642).

Some of their thesis are,

Bahjah al-Asrār,
Khulāsa al Mafākhir,
Nuzhat al-Khā’tir,
Toh’fa-e-Qadiri yyah and
Zubdat al-’thār, etc.

Numerous other ‘Ulama and Awliya also promote it. One should also remember that the great ‘Ulama and Saints attribute extreme authenticity to the above.

Imām ‘Allama Khayr al-Din Ramli Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, the illustrious teacher of the scholar who has written the authentic book on Islāmic Jurisprudence, “Durre Mukhtār”, states in his Fatāwa Khayriyyah:

قَولَهُم يَا شَيخ عَبدَالقَادِر نِدَاءٌ فَمَا المُوجِبُ الحُرمَةَ؟

People who proclaim, “Ya Shaykh ‘Abd al Qādir”, are merely emulating a call. What, therefore, is the reason for it not to be permissible? [Fatawa Khairiyah, Dar al-Ma'arifah (Berut - Lebanon), Vol 2, Page 182]

Sayyidi Jamāl bin ‘Abdullah bin Umar Makki Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, in his Fatāwa states:

سالت عمّن يقول في حال الشدائد يا رسول الله او يا شيخ عبدالقادر مثلا هل هو جائز شرعاً ام لا؟ اُجِبْتُ نعم! الاستغاثة بالاولياء و نداؤهم و التوسّل بهم امر مشروعٌ و شيئ مرغوبٌ الا ينكرهٌ الا مكابر و معاند و قد حرّم بركة الاولياء الكرام

I was questioned about those people who in times of difficulty proclaim “Ya Rasūlallah, Ya Ali, Ya Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qādir,” and whether these proclamations were permissible in Islām. The great scholar replied: “Yes, these proclamations are permissible. To call to them is permissible including using their names as Wasila. This is allowed in the light of the Shari’ah. Such an act is desirable and approved. Only the stubborn and arrogant would oppose or question this reality. These individuals are certainly unfortunate and deprived of the Barkāt (blessing) of the Awliya Allāh”. [Fatawa Jamāl bin ‘Abdullah bin Umar Makki]


Shah Wali-Allāh Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, records a method for achieving and fulfilling one’s wishes in his book, Al-Intibah fi al salāsil al-Awliya. He states:

بعد ازاں یک صدو یازدہ بار درود و بعدازاں یک صدو یازدہ بار کلمہ تمجید ویک صدو یازدہ بارشیئاً ﷲ یا شیخ عبدالقادر جیلانی

“One should first perform two Rakats of Nafil Salāh. After completion, he should recite the following - 111 times Darood Sharif (Salawāt), 111 times Kalima Tamjid and 111 times ‘Shay’an-Lillāh, Ya Shaykh Abd al-Qādir Jilāni’.” [Al-Intibah fi al salāsil al-Awliya Allah]

From this book, it has been proven that all the afore-mentioned great luminaries believed in the proclamation of “Shay’an Lillāh” and “Ya” as being valid and a great solution to many unsolved problems. The Shariah does not forbid to call on Ambiyā and Awliya for assistance with the Harf of Nidā (“Ya”). They also gave permission to their students and disciples to practice it without any hesitation. Sha Wali-Allāh Muhaddith Dehlawi Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho spent numerous years in the company of his Shaykh and Ustāz of Hadith Sharif, Shaykh Mawlana Shaykh Abu-Tāhir al-Madani Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho.

To Proclaim Ya Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Shai Un Lillah

1. Some persons say that to utter "Ya Sheikh Abdal Qaadir Jilani Shai un lillah" is Shirk because one is making partnership with Allah Ta’ala (committing Shirk) by asking for assistance from the creation of Allah Ta'ala. They say that one can only ask directly from Allah Ta’ala.
2. The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at believes that it is absolutely permissible to say "Ya Sheikh Abdal Qaadir Jilani Shai un lillah" when asking for assistance from those servants of Allah Ta'ala whom He has appointed as helpers of the Ummah.
3. We understand from the verse "Iyya ka Na'budu Wa Iy'ya ka Nas Ta'een" (You Alone we worship and You Alone we ask for Help), which is found in Surah Fateha, that the True Helper is Allah Ta'ala. But it is Allah Ta’ala who has appointed helpers from within His servants to assist the creation with His permission.
4. Hazrat Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith Delhwi (radi Allahu anhu) explains the Tafseer of the verse "Iy'ya ka Na'budu Wa Iy'ya Ka Nastaeen" by writing: "Here, it should be understood that to ask for assistance from anyone other than Allah, by putting full trust and not thinking of it as a marvel of Almighty Allah, is prohibited. But, if the attention is towards Allah and then to think of a person as the splendour of Almighty Allah and by keeping the means and wisdom of Almighty Allah before you, if one asks from anyone other than Allah, then this is not far from the Wisdom of Almighty This action is permissible and allowed in Shari’ah. To ask for help in this way is not really asking from someone but Allah, but in reality it is to ask from Allah." (Tafseer Azeezi)
5. As long as a person bears this fact in mind that the True and Real Helper is Allah Ta'ala and no matter whom he asks from, it will be through the Mercy of Allah Ta'ala, then it is permissible to ask from such a person. This can never be termed as Shirk.
6. In the Holy Quran, it is proven that the Ambiya (alaihimus salaam) asked the servants of Allah Ta'ala, who are His creation, to assist them in their mission of Deen. To quote two examples:-

    

   • We read about Hazrat ‘Isa (alaihis salaam) asking for help from his Disciples: "Who are those who will assist me in the path of " His Disciples replied to him by saying, "From the servants, we will help in the Deen of Allah." (Part 3, Ruku 13)
   • Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) also asked Allah Ta'ala for assistance and the name of his brother, Hazrat Haroon (alaihis salaam) was suggested to him.
7. If it was Shirk to ask for assistance from the creation, then the Ambiya (alaihimus salaam) would have never asked the people to assist them in their propogation of Deen.
8. Besides the Ambiya (alaihimus salaam) asking the servants of Allah Ta'ala to assist them in the Deen, Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran that Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) and the pious Muslims are also helpers: "Then, undoubtedly Allah is his helper, and Jibraeel and the righteous Believers and after that the Angels are his helpers." (Part 28)
9. The Holy Quran says: "We gave clear signs to 'Isa son of Maryam and we assisted him with the Holy

   Spirit." (Part 3, Ruku 1) The Holy Spirit in this verse refers to Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam), who is an Angel and one of Allah Ta'ala’s creation. If the help of the creation was considered to be Shirk, then Allah Ta'ala would have never allowed Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) to be the assistant of Hazrat ‘Isa (alaihis salaam).

10. Once, Hazrat Has'saan bin Thaabit (radi Allahu anhu) recited a Naath in the court of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) thereafter made a Du'a for him. This Du'a alone will show that we are from the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at. The beautiful Du'a was that: "O Allah! Assist him (Hazrat Has'saan bin Thaabit) through Rooh Quds (Jibraeel Ameen)." (Bukhari Shareef)
11. Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Delhwi (radi Allahu anhu) states: "There are certain Awliyah Allah, whom Allah has created only for the informing and guidance of his People with needs turn towards them for help and they receive for that which they ask and they chant this song that, 'If you come towards Me with your body, then I shall come towards you with My soul'." (Tafseere Azeezi)
12. Sayyidi Jamal bin Abdullah bin Omar Makki (radi Allahu anhu), in his Fatawa states that he was questioned about those people who proclaim in times of difficulty, "Ya Rasoolullah, Ya Ali, Ya Sheikh Abdul Qaadir" as to these proclamations being permissible in Islam. The great scholar replied: "Yes, these proclamations are permissible. To call to them is permissible including using their names as This is permissible in the light of the Shari'ah. Such an act is desirable and approved. Only those individuals who are stubborn and arrogant would oppose or question this reality, and they certainly are unfortunate and deprived of the Barakaat (blessing) of the Awliya Allah."
13. Imaam Allama Khairudeen Ramli (radi Allahu anhu) wrote: "People who proclaim, Ya Sheikh Abdul Qaadir (are merely emulating) a call, what, therefore, is the reason for it, not to be permissible?" (Fatawa Khayria)
14. Hazrat Ghousul-Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani (radi Allahu anhu) said: "If anyone seeks my help in difficulty, I remove the difficulty and if anyone in danger calls me by my name, I save him from danger and if anyone seeks my Wasila (medium) to Allah the Almighty in need and necessity, these are fulfilled". (Bahyay-ul- Asran; Zubdat-ul-Asran)
15. Sayiddina Ghousul-Azam (radi Allahu anhu), states: "If a person in distress or hardships calls out to me, his hardship will be If a person uses my name as his Wasila (medium) and pleads to Allah, his need will be fulfilled."
16. The great Saint describes a Salaah, which can be extremely He states: "A person should perform two Rakaats of Salaah, in every Rakaat he should recite eleven times the Surah Fateha and, thereafter, Surah Ikhlaas eleven times. After completing the Salaah, he should recite the Durood and Salaam upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then remembering me he should proceed eleven steps towards the direction of Baghdad invoking my name in every step, including mentioning his need and wish. In this manner (Allah willing) his need and wish will be granted."
17. The verses of the Holy Quran, the Ahadith and sayings of great Mufasireen that we have quoted here is proof enough that it is permissible to ask help from Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi allahu anhu). Undoubtedly, he is from those servants of Allah Ta'ala, who has been chosen to serve and help the Ummah

REF: NooreMadinah Network http://www.NooreMadinah.net