Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

Muhyi al-Din Abu Muhammad Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani was one of the most influential spiritual masters in Islamic history. Arriving in Baghdad as a youth from Gilan, he mastered Hanbali jurisprudence and hadith before retreating into the Iraqi desert for years of rigorous contemplation and spiritual training.

Returning to Baghdad, his public sermons at the Bab al-Azaj madrasa attracted immense crowds across all social classes, from caliphs to impoverished artisans. Emphasizing internal spiritual jihad, unconditional charity, and adherence to moral law, his teachings crystallized into the Qadiriyya order, which spread throughout Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.