Tahir Allauddin Al-Qadri Al-Gillani

Syed Tahir Alauddin al-Gilani (السيد طاهر علاؤ الدين الجيلاني البغدادي) (18 June 1932 – 7 June 1991) formally referred to as His Holiness, Qudwat-ul-Awliya Naqeeb-ul-Ashraaf Huzoor Pir Syed Tahir Alauddin al-Gilani al-Qadri al-Baghdadi, was a 20th-century Iraqi Born in Baghdad on 18 June 1932, he traced his lineage by seventeen steps to Abdul-Qadir Gilani and 28 steps to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

In 1956, Al-Gilani left Baghdad and migrated to Pakistan, where he settled permanently in Quetta. He stayed in Pakistan until the end of his life. He went to Germany for medical treatment in May 1991, and died the following month. He was buried in Lahore, Pakistan. He had three sons, Syed Mahmood Mohiyuddin al-Gilani al-Qadri, Syed Abdul Qadir Jamaluddin al-Gilani al-Qadri and Syed Muhammad Ziauddin al-Gillani al-Qadri, who propagate the teachings of Silsilah e Qadiriyya Tahiria.

Background and education Al-Gillani came from an Iraqi Syed family of Baghdad

Migration In 1956, Al-Gillani left the city of Baghdad and migrated to Pakistan after receiving spiritual orders from Abdul Qadir Gilani. Al-Gillani first completed 40 days of seclusion (Chilla) at the Shrine of the Sufi saint Data Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwiri in Lahore. He then settled in Quetta, where he established the Darbar-e-Ghousia religious school. Darbar-e-Ghousia became the official headquarters of Tariqa Qadiria in the sub-continent and is still run by the sons of Al-Gillani.

He received a personal visit from President General Ayub Khan, to welcome him to Pakistan. General Ayub Khan pledged Bay'ah (Oath of Allegiance) in the Qadiriyya Tariqa at the hands of Al-Gillani. Al-Gillani was visited by presidents, politicians, tribal leaders and religious scholars for his prayers, advice and guidance. Pakistani President Zia ul Haq is also known to have had both pledged Bay'ah on Al-Gillani's hands, whilst leaders such as President Saddam Hussein, the Sultan of Brunei, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Shareef, would visit him or stay in contact.

Life sketch

Following in the footsteps of his ancestor Abdul Qadir Gilani, Al-Gillani spent the majority of his life in spiritual retreat (khalwah) and undertaking spiritual exercises (mujāhidah). There is little known about Al-Gillani's life as he would strictly forbid his followers from writing about him. Al-Gillani was very strict in adherence to the laws of Shariah and Tariqah, and until he died he worked tirelessly at propagating the teachings of his ancestor Abdul Qadir Gilani and the other mashaikh of the Qadiriyya path. He encouraged Islamic Unity and would often speak out against acts which were considered bad innovations and rituals that had crept inside Tassawuf It is reported that Mufti Mustafa Raza Khan was so respectful of Al-Gillani that he remained barefoot for the duration of his stay and would stand to serve him. On this occasion, Maulana Mustafa Raza Khan also made several of his family members pledge Baith on the hands of Al-Gillani including the later Grand Mufti of India Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan. During this visit to India, Al-Gillani was visited by the heads of major Sufi Tariqas situated here, including Abdul Qadeer Badayuni Qadri and Muhammad Abdul Qadeer Siddiqi Qadri.

In the 1960s, Al-Gillani was invited to the city of Faisalabad by the grand scholar of Pakistan Muhadith e Azam e Pakistan Maulana Sardar Ahmed Qadri to attend the opening ceremony of Jamia Amjadia Rizvia. To welcome Al-Gillani and for his protocol, Maulana Sardar Ahmed Qadri arranged for rolls of white silk to be spread the entire journey from his madrasah to the Railway Station. It is reported that a small spot had been left uncovered near the door of the madrasah and Maulana Sardar Ahmed Qadri kneeled down and used his own beard to sweep this area clean.

Marriage and children Al-Gillani married the Princess of Kalat Princess Munawar Sultan – the daughter of Khan-e-Azzam Mir Ahmad Yaar Khan of Kalat. From this marriage, Tahir Allauddin Al-Qadri Al-Gillani has three Sons and Three Daughters. He travels across Pakistan and the rest of the world for propagating the teachings of Tariqa Qadiria. Syed Abdul Qadir Jamaluddin Al-Gillani has a circle of followers across the world, who visit him for his prayers, help and guidance. People from all walks of life flock to the official family residence in Karachi (Al-Gilani House), to see him and pledge bay'ah at his hands. The youngest son, Syed Muhammad Ziauddin was born on 28 May 1976. He has one son, Syed Tahir Allauddin Al-Gillani who was born on 12 June 2008. He has completed his M.A in Pakistani Studies in addition to gaining a LLB. Syed Muhammad Ziauddin Al-Gillani spends most of his time in Khalwa (Spiritual Seclusion) at Quetta, but from time to time tours overseas for the propagation of Tariqa e Qadiria. He also has a large circle of devotees across the world.

Spiritual deputies In 2007, Tahir Alauddin's Son Syed Muhammad Ziauddin al-Qadri al-Gilani inaugurated Darbar-e-Ghousia Qadiria Tahiria in Bradford, England. This Darbar is run by Syed Khalid Ali Tahiri after receiving approval from the sons of Al-Gillani. Syed Khalid Ali Tahiri Qadri was a student from a young age and was appointed as the tutor to Syed Muhammad Ziauddin al-Qadri al-Gilani during his childhood. During this visit, he also visited Darbar-e-Ghousia Qadiria Tahiria UK and the residence of Syed Khalid Ali Tahiri.

Syed Muhammad Ziauddin al-Qadri al-Gilani also presides an annual Grand Milad e Mustafa conference oganized by an Islamic organization of Balochistan Bazam E A'ala Hazrat Al Aalami and he is also the cheif patron of the Bazam E A'ala Hazrat Al Aalami since the foundation of Bazam E A'ala Hazrat al Aalami in 2016.

His spiritual deputies are numerous, including his children and grandchildren, the family of the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as a number of renowned scholars.

Works Al-Gillani authored books during his stay in Pakistan. Some of his books are: Mahboob Subhani Tuhfa Al-Tahiria Aowrad Al-Qadria Ghous Al Azam (English) Shajrah Ziaraat Muqamaat Muqadassa Tazkarah-e-Qadriah (Urdu and Pushto) Wazaif-e-Qadriah (Urdu) Nimaz Book (Urdu)