Heir of Ghaus-e-Azam, Guide of Hazrat Shah Niyaz Barelwi: The Saga of Hazrat Syed Abdullah Baghdadi

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 9 April 2025 Hazrat Syedna Abdullah Baghdadi Rampuri, A Descendant of Ghaus-Ul-Azam, journeyed from Baghdad to India, Spreading The Qadiriyya Sufi Order with Love and Humility. As The Spiritual Guide (Murshid) Of Hazrat Shah Neyaz Ahmad Barelwi Be-Neyaz, His Legacy Lives On Through His Teachings, Disciples, And Sacred Shrine in Rampur. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Abdullah Baghdadi was a direct descendant of Ghaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani Baghdadi. 2. He left Baghdad Sharif after a personal loss and divine inspiration, arriving in India in 1185 AH. 3. He spread the Qadiriyya Sufi order across India. 4. He appointed Shah Niyaz Barelwi as his spiritual successor. 5. His Khanqah and shrine in Rampur remain a centre of devotion and spiritual learning. ----- Introduction Amidst the radiance of Indian Sufism's history, there are perhaps few names aglow with so much awe and heritage as that of Hazrat Syedna Abdullah Baghdadi Rampuri (may Allah bestow His mercy upon him). A spiritual descendant of the great Ghaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, he set out from Baghdad to Hindustan not with a view to material domination but to enlighten hearts and redirect souls. It was a fateful arrival at a turning point in the reinforcement and dissemination of the Qadiriyya Silsila in the Indian subcontinent. Lineage and Early Life in Baghdad Sharif Hazrat Abdullah Baghdadi was born in 1130 AH close to Baghdad Sharif and was a direct descendant of Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. His family lineage maintained the holy heritage of the Qadiriyya Sufi order: Hazrat Syed Abdullah Baghdadi bin Syed Abdul Jalil bin Syed Mahmood bin Syed Darwish Muhammad bin Syed Nooruddin bin Syed Husamuddin bin Syed Nooruddin bin Syed Waliuddin bin Syed Zainuddin bin Syed Sharfuddin bin Syed Shamsuddin bin Syed Muhammad Nayati bin Syed Abdul Aziz bin Hazrat Shaykh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani Baghdadi. Educated in the Islamic sciences, Arabic and Persian literature, and the inner aspects of Tasawwuf, Hazrat Abdullah was widely known as a learned scholar and a man of divine gnosis. He was highly respected by his peers, including the renowned Hazrat Mazhar Jan Janan. Tragedy and the Divine Vision Following the death of his beloved son during a plague in Baghdad, Hazrat Abdullah undertook a pilgrimage to Makkah Sharif and Madinah Sharif. There, he received a vision of his ancestor, Hazrat Shaykh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, instructing him to travel to Hindustan and locate a destined spiritual heir to carry forth the Qadiriyya light. Journey to Hindustan and the Meeting with Shah Niyaz Ahmad Coming in the year 1185 AH, at the age of 55 during the reign of Badshah Shah Alam II, Hazrat Abdullah Baghdadi first came to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and then came to Patna (Bihar), where he converted Hazrat Khwaja Khairuddin and Hazrat Shah Baabullah to disciples. Then he travelled on to Delhi, living just by historical Jama Masjid. Spiritual icons of Delhi, including Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan, Hazrat Mazhar Jaan-e-Janan, Hazrat Zafar Ali Shah, Hazrat Mir Nanu, and Hazrat Fateh Ali, all maintained great deference towards him. When he wished to see the divinely appointed successor, Maulana Fakhruddin introduced Hazrat Shah Neyaz Ahmad Be-Neyaz Barelvi. At Jama Masjid, in a congregation of scholars and saints, he introduced Hazrat Shah Neyaz into the Qadiriyya Sufi order and hailed him as his successor (Khilafat). This incident is recalled as a milestone of Indian Sufism. Establishing in Rampur Not long thereafter, Hazrat Abdullah was summoned to Rampur by Nawab Faizullah Khan. The Nawab took him as his Ustad and carried his palanquin personally, a gesture of utmost respect. Hazrat Abdullah declined material gifts but permitted the building of a mosque and Khanqah, which turned into centres of spiritual teaching. His humility, renunciation of power, and complete surrender to God's will left a permanent mark on the people of Rampur. Legacy and Urs On 14 Muharram 1207 AH (2 November 1792), Hazrat Abdullah Baghdadi departed from this world during Maghrib prayers. His Mazaar Sharif in Rampur became a place of pilgrimage, and his Urs is still celebrated by thousands. He carried with him from Baghdad a Qadam-e-Pak-e-Rasool (sacred footprint of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam), which he asked to be buried at his feet, representing his everlasting dedication. Presently, Hazrat Abdullah Baghdadi is still an iconic figure of love, religious discipline, and divine guidance, and his memory lives on in the lives of those who have been changed by his teachings and silsila. References: 1. Dr. Ghulam Yahya Anjum (2001) "Tareekh Mashaikh-e-Qadiriyya Vol-2" Bazm-e-Qasmi Barakati, Badayun 2. Mohammad Abdul Hafeez "Tadhkira Hazrat Syed Abdullah Baghdadi" Translated ----- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is currently working on his book 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/heir-ghaus-azam-hazrat-niyaz-barelwi-abdullah-baghdadi/d/135097 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism