occupation. I replied: I live in Jeelan and I am gaining Islamic knowledge here. He asked me: ‘Do you know about a young person named ‘Abdul Qaadir who belongs to Jeelan?’ I replied: ‘I am the person you are looking for.’ Listening to it, he got nervous, apologized to me and said: ‘Your mother gave me 8 dinars to give them to you.

When I arrived in Baghdad, I had money for my living expenses but it took me so many days to find you that I ran out of money. It was the third day since I had been starving. Since I had no alternative, I have spent your money that I was entrusted with to buy this roti and meat for a meal. You may now eat this food with satisfaction because all this belongs to you in reality. Now I am your guest, not you.’ I comforted him and expressed my pleasure. When we finished the meal, I saw him off with the remaining food and some money. (Qalaaid-ul-Jawahir, pp. 9)

Enormous difficulties and great patience

Dear Islamic sisters! سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, You must have noticed that Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abdul Qaadir Jeelani رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه faced great difficulties, hardships and starvation while gaining Islamic knowledge. Even then he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه remained extremely patient, pious, righteous and selfless. Moreover, if he would find anything to eat, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would leave it for others selflessly keeping in mind the strong desire to help and support others, and would remain patient himself. Expressing the great difficulties and hardships that Ghaus-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه faced for gaining Islamic knowledge, Shaykh ‘Abdullah Najjaar رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated that Ghaus-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه told him: I faced even such difficulties that even the mountains would have blown to bits if they faced those difficulties. When those frequent difficulties would go beyond my powers of endurance, I would lie on the floor and recite these blessed Ayahs:

فَاِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًاۙ(۵) اِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًاؕ(۶)

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: So, without doubt, there is ease with hardship. Without doubt, there is ease with hardship.

(Part 30, Surah Alam Nashrah, Ayah 5, 6)