May Allah Almighty grant us never-ending zeal to invite others towards righteousness.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ

Let us listen to more of Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī’s words of wisdom.  

Second advice: the action that makes one beloved to Allah

On the 11^th of Jumādā al-Ākhirah 545 AH, Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī  رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه  delivered a speech in his madrasah. During this, he said: “O those who are wealthy! If you desire goodness in both this world and the Hereafter, show kindness to the poor via your wealth!”

He then quoted a Hadith^[1] in which the final Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم    said, “People are dependent upon Allah, and the most beloved to Allah is the person who most benefits those who depend on Him.”^[2]

The word عِيَال is derived from the word  عَوْل which means neediness or dependence. In general usage of this term, those for whom a person is responsible, such as his wife, or children, etc., are called his عِيَال.

In the Hadith mentioned by the shaykh here, all of mankind has been described as the عِيَال of Allah. In this context, this means mankind are servants of Allah Almighty and completely, utterly, and absolutely dependent upon Him.

Allah has guaranteed their sustenance; He provides for everyone and sustains all. The people who become most beloved to Allah Almighty are