By Natirah Azira

Sheikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jailani is a scholar who is famous for the unique stories that accompany his life. Some mention the story of him meeting Prophet Khidr, being able to revive dead animals, and even when a baby was told that he would not breastfeed during the day of Ramadan but only at night.

However, many stories are exaggerated and the extent to which these stories are true is still a question mark.

His real name was Muhammad 'Abd al-Qadir bin Abu Soleh al-Jili. He was born in 470 AH, and some say in 471 AH. He was a scholar of the Hanbali school of thought.

Sheikh Islam Ibn Taymiyyah once mentioned that Sheikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jailani was among the strongest scholars of his time in adhering to the Sharia, that is, obeying the commands of Allah and abandoning His prohibitions. He was also among the strongest scholars in abandoning his own desires and desires.

Returning to his life story, Sheikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani is indeed famous for his karamah, which is a special thing that is contrary to custom. It is bestowed by Allah SWT specifically to his righteous and pious friends with the aim of strengthening them, or helping them or establishing them or helping them for religion. _{(See Majmu' Fatawa Ibn al-'Uthaimin, 8/626)}

However, the widely circulated stories attributed to Sheikh 'Abd Qadir al-Jilani, many scholars say are not authentic. This matter was also mentioned by Imam Al-Zahabi, that no one among the great masyayikh has more stories related to karamah than Sheikh 'Abd al-Qadir, but most of them are not authentic, and some are even impossible.

However, his asceticism and righteousness cannot be denied. However, distinguishing between weak and authentic stories of karamah is very difficult because his records are not like the narrations of the hadiths of the Prophet SAW.

Therefore, it is enough to know that he is the leader of the righteous. If stories of his karamah are found in books, then they must be evaluated through syariah guidelines. If they coincide with syariah, then they can be accepted and if they contradict it, then they must be rejected.

Date of Input: 03/09/2025 | Updated: 03/09/2025 | asmunir