This book contains forty-five sermons that Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, arguably the greatest Sufi teacher, delivered at his school in Baghdad in the middle of the sixth century Hijra (the twelfth century CE). The Shaikh's words are the fruit of many years of personal strife against his lower self and complete dedication to God. They explain the spiritual journey to attain nearness to God in Islam.
In his sermons, Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir addresses the various spiritual diseases, such as envy, greed, and arrogance. He also teaches about the qualities that the seeker of God must acquire, such as love, renunciation, humility, satisfaction, patience, and truthfulness. He explains to the wayfarers in a simple but powerful and effective way how to have their spiritual diseases healed and what they need for the journey to God. The Master's words and advice are not targeted at certain people but address various spiritual states and stations. His words sate everyone thirsty for practical knowledge that takes them nearer to their Lord.
The editor of the Arabic edition of the book, Shaikh Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan, did not publish the manuscript in its original form that has the sermons listed chronologically. Rather, he classified the contents of the sermons into forty different subjects, such as "patience", "mercy", "love", etc. This highlights the main themes in Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir's teachings, which best represent Sufi thought.
Al-Dargazelli, Shetha: - Shetha al-Dargazelli was born in Baghdad, Iraq. She graduated from the Physics Department, College of Sciences, Baghdad University, where she also completed an MSc in nuclear physics. She obtained a PhD in elementary particle physics from the Physics Department, Durham University, UK. Shetha taught at universities in Iraq, where she was appointed professor in 1991. She moved with her husband Louay Fatoohi to the United Kingdom in 1992, where she worked at Durham University and Aston University. She lives with her husband in Birmingham. Shetha has published several books, including four university physics textbooks, one book on Sufism, and another on the status of women in Islam. She has published over thirty scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and more than thirty scientific articles in established Arabic cultural and peer-reviewed journals. She has given many talks in the UK and abroad about women in Islam and the spiritual dimensions of Islam.
Al-Jilani, 'Abd Al-Qadir: - Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani was born in Iran in AH 470 / 1077 CE. When he was eighteen, he moved to Iraq for his spiritual journey, ultimately settling in Baghdad after twenty-five years of semi-seclusion and continued worship. In Baghdad, Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir first accompanied Shaikh Hammad ad-Dabbas. He later accompanied Shaikh Abu Sa'id al-Makhzumi (al-Mukharrami) (AH 513 / 1119 CE) and took the pledge of the Tariqa (Sufi way) from him. Shaikh Abu Sa'id had a school he used to teach in. Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir was put in charge of the school in AH 521 / 1127 CE, becoming its sole teacher. He lectured three days of the week. The number of those who attended his gatherings quickly increased until each sermon attracted thousands. He continued to teach in the school until he departed to the spirit world in AH 561 /1165 CE. Due to the spiritual status of the Shaikh, his continued blessings, and his tremendous following, his shrine, which is in his school, has become one of the most sacred and visited Islamic landmarks. It is impossible to exaggerate the role of Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir in guiding Muslims and propagating Islam. The number of Sufi Tariqas whose chains of Shaikhs are traced back to him largely exceeds the Tariqas of any other Shaikh. Accordingly, the seekers of the Tariqa Qadiriyya outnumber the followers of any other Tariqa. Sufis in general, and Qadiris in particular, have played an exceptionally immense role in spreading Islam throughout Africa and Asia.
Fatoohi, Louay: - "Louay Fatoohi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1961. He lives with his wife in Birmingham, England. He obtained a BSc in physics from Baghdad University, Iraq, in 1984 and a PhD in astronomy from Durham University, UK, in 1998. Originally from a Christian family, Louay reverted to Islam in his early twenties. He is one of the representatives of Tariqa Kasnazaniyya. In addition to being his faith of choice and way of life, Islam is for him is a subject of deep intellectual interest. He is interested in Qur'anic and Islamic studies in general, but his main areas of research are as follows: - Comparative study of history in the Qur'an, Jewish and Christian scriptures, and independent historical sources - Sufism - History of the Qur'anic text and revelation - Quranic exegesis Louay has published over twenty-five books in English and Arabic in Islamic studies. He has also published over twenty research papers in cosmology, applied historical astronomy, and the Islamic calendar."
