Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (R.A) 2025: Remembering the Saint Who United Hearts Through Faith and Compassion
On 5 October 2025 (11 Rabi‘ al-Thani 1447 AH), the Muslim world — especially in places like Iraq, Pakistan, India and Kashmir — observes the Urs of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A), widely venerated as Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam and Dastgeer Sahib. For many, this is not simply an anniversary of a saint’s death but a festival of spiritual union: the word Urs literally means a wedding, symbolising the soul’s joyful reunion with the Divine. Across centuries, millions have found in his life and teachings a bridge between law and love, learning and compassion. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Early life and background
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) was born around 470 AH (1077–1078 CE) in the region of Gilan in what is now northern Iran. He is known by the nisba al-Jilani, linking him to Gilan, and later spent most of his public life in Baghdad, the intellectual and spiritual centre of his age. Many sources describe him as thoroughly learned in the Qur’an, Hadith, fiqh and spiritual disciplines. He combined rigorous study with deep devotion, a pattern that would shape his teaching for generations.
Although details of his early family life are not always certain in historical records, he is widely said to have been descended from the Prophet’s family through Hasan ibn Ali (R.A). He studied under leading scholars of his time and was initiated into Sufism by spiritual masters who guided his inner journey. His training combined legal learning (especially within the Hanbali tradition) with a strong emphasis on the discipline of the heart.
The long retreat and spiritual formation
A defining period of his life was a long retreat he undertook in the deserts of Iraq. For many years he lived simply, dedicating himself to worship, meditation, and spiritual struggle (mujahada). These years of solitary discipline formed the inner ground from which his later teaching sprang. When he returned to Baghdad, he was already recognised as a person of deep knowledge and spiritual insight.
His style of teaching was notable for balancing strict adherence to religious law with a compassionate and practical spirituality. He did not separate outward worship and inward purification; instead, he taught that true religion requires both correct practice and sincere inner transformation.
Scholar, preacher and teacher
In Baghdad, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) became a well-known preacher and teacher. He lectured on Hadith, Tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis), jurisprudence and spiritual ethics. His sermons drew large crowds: scholars, traders, officials and ordinary people alike came to listen. He founded a school — the madrasa that later gave its name to the Qadiriyya order — where students studied both the legal sciences and the path of the heart.
He earned respect from a wide range of scholars and even political leaders of his time. His influence crossed social and religious lines; people of different backgrounds sought his guidance. He emphasised justice, moral courage and public service alongside personal piety.
Key teachings and spiritual approach
The heart of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani’s (R.A) teaching can be summarised in a few clear, practical points:
- Tawhid (Oneness of God): All spiritual striving must be rooted in sincere belief in God alone. Recognition of God’s unity was the foundation of every teaching.
- Balance of Sharia and Tariqa: He taught that law (Sharia) and spiritual discipline (Tariqa) are complementary. Observance of the outward rules without inner reform is incomplete; likewise, inward experience without moral conduct can be misleading.
- Purification of the heart: Spiritual life requires constant effort to remove pride, attachment and selfishness. Virtues such as patience, gratitude and humility were central to his message.
- Service and compassion: True faith shows itself through kindness to people — feeding the poor, caring for the weak and standing for justice.
- Practical holiness: He discouraged empty display and encouraged sincere, practical acts of worship and charity.
Books attributed to him — such as Futuh al-Ghaib (Revelations of the Unseen) and Ghunyat al-Talibin (Sufficiency for Seekers) — present these teachings in accessible, often direct language aimed at seekers at different levels.
Miracles and karamat
Stories of miracles (karamat) are numerous in the hagiographical tradition surrounding Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (R.A). These accounts include times of supernatural help in famine, healings, and instances where food or resources were miraculously provided to those in need. For followers, such stories are signs of God’s favour manifesting through a saintly person. Classical Sufi authors emphasise, however, that the inner aim of these stories is moral: they strengthen faith and inspire service, not mere wonder.
Whether taken literally or seen symbolically, these narratives have helped generations relate to the saint’s life in a personal way and have supported a living devotional practice centred on compassion.
Founding of the Qadiriyya order
The Qadiriyya is one of the oldest and most widespread Sufi orders, carrying the name of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A). Its core practices focus on remembrance of God (dhikr), ethical conduct and striving for inner purity. Over time the order spread across many regions: the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa and beyond. Local branches adapted the Qadiriyya teachings to their cultures while preserving the central emphasis on spiritual sobriety, public service and devotion.
The order’s spread owed much to the charismatic force of the teacher’s reputation and the clarity of his teachings, which offered a pathway that was at once rigorous and accessible.
Writings and legacy
The works attributed to Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (R.A) blend legal learning with spiritual guidance. They are written in a language meant to instruct and motivate seekers: short, sharp reminders, moral counsel and deep spiritual insights. Apart from Futuh al-Ghaib and Ghunyat al-Talibin, other shorter treatises and letters circulate in manuscript and published forms, often used by students and readers wanting practical guidance.
His legacy is not limited to texts. The living tradition of Sufi practice, the institutions founded in his name, and the social projects inspired by his model of piety and service continue to influence millions.
The shrine in Baghdad and its history
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) was buried in Baghdad, at the site of his madrasa. Over the centuries his tomb became a place of pilgrimage. The mausoleum has seen repair and rebuilding many times. It stands as a major site for pilgrims who come to offer prayers, recite the Qur’an, attend lectures and perform acts of charity. For the many who visit, the shrine represents continuity with a living spiritual tradition that reaches back nearly a thousand years.
Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Srinagar
Though Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) never visited Kashmir, his influence reached the valley through teachers and disciples who brought Qadiri teaching to South Asia. In Srinagar’s Khanyar area stands the famous Dastgeer Sahib shrine, a focal point of devotion for many Kashmiris. The shrine houses relics and has its own local history of devotion and repair. It represents how spiritual figures take root in local cultures, adapting and enriching regional practice.
What is Urs and why it matters
Urs anniversaries mark the death of a saint as a commemoration of union with the Divine. Rather than mourning, the event is celebrated: devotees gather to remember the saint’s life, recite the Qur’an, engage in communal dhikr, listen to sermons and hold gatherings of spiritual music (sama or qawwali in South Asia). Charity and feeding the poor are typical features. Urs is a time for renewal: individual devotees seek spiritual blessings, while communities reinforce bonds of faith and mutual care.
For many people, Urs functions on multiple levels:
- A spiritual gathering that revives devotional practice.
- A social occasion that brings people together across class and background.
- A cultural event that preserves local devotional arts, poetry and music.
- A charitable opportunity to serve the needy.
Typical rites and rituals
Although practices vary by region, common elements of an Urs include:
- Qur’anic recitation: collective reading and supplication.
- Dhikr: groups reciting the names of God and short litanies.
- Hamd and Naat: praise-poems in Arabic and local languages celebrating God and the Prophet (PBUH).
- Sermons and lectures: teaching that explains the saint’s life and message.
- Mehfil-e-sama / qawwali: devotional music sessions in many South Asian shrines.
- Ziarat: visiting and paying respects at the tomb, sometimes viewing relics.
- Charity and feeding: distribution of food to the poor, a central component.
- Processions: in some places, processions and public displays occur, especially where the tradition is deeply rooted.
Organisers generally stress that the core purpose is spiritual: to turn hearts toward God and to renew ethical commitment.
Contemporary observances in 2025
On 5 October 2025, shrines associated with Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (R.A) were active with devotees. In Baghdad, the mausoleum drew local and international pilgrims for multi-day gatherings of dhikr, lectures and communal prayers. In South Asia, especially at the Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Srinagar, the day was observed with special programmes: night vigils, recitations, qawwali sessions and large-scale charity meals. Many shrines also used modern tools — live streaming and social media — to include remote devotees who could not travel.
For many devotees, the Urs is a reminder that living spiritual traditions can adapt to new times while keeping their essential message: humility, compassion and service.
The social and moral relevance today
Why does Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam’s message endure? Several features explain this:
- Practical ethics: His teachings stress compassion and justice, which are timeless concerns in any society.
- Balance of law and spirit: People facing modern anxieties respond to a message that honours both outward duty and inner peace.
- Community orientation: The Qadiriyya emphasis on service and charity offers a framework for organised social aid.
- Accessible guidance: His short, direct counsels speak to ordinary people as well as scholars.
In an era of increasing fragmentation, his insistence on unity, tolerance and moral responsibility speaks to both personal transformation and social healing.
Debates and differing views
Like many historical religious figures, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) is seen differently across traditions. Some scholars stress hagiographical excesses in later stories; others defend these narratives as expressions of devotional memory rather than literal history. In scholarly circles, there is healthy debate about chronology, authorship of certain works, and the exact historical facts of his life. For devotees, however, the spiritual fruits of his teachings are the primary point of concern.
How to observe Urs with respect and understanding
If you plan to attend an Urs or read about it, here are a few simple suggestions to observe the occasion respectfully:
- Approach with sincere intent: the celebrations are primarily devotional, not mere spectacle.
- Participate in communal prayers and charity where possible.
- Listen to the teachings and reflect on their moral implications.
- Remember the central message of service: feeding the poor or assisting the needy is a fitting tribute.
- Be mindful of local customs and the diverse ways people express devotion.
Conclusion
The Urs of Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (R.A) is more than an annual event; it is a living reminder of a tradition that combines deep learning with compassionate action. Whether observed in Baghdad, Srinagar, or in homes and mosques across the globe, the day calls believers to renew their commitment to inner reform, social justice, and sincere worship. On 5 October 2025, countless hearts turned to the example of this great teacher — a reminder that faith, properly lived, unites people across time and place.
May his example inspire humility, compassion and steadfastness in the service of humanity. Ameen.
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