From Baghdad to Delhi: The Qadri Light of Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani That Lit the Indian Subcontinent

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 28 July 2025 Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi (1024–1088 AH ) was a revered Qadri Sufi saint who migrated from Syria to India, established a khanqah and mosque in Old Delhi, mentored prominent disciples like Hazrat Sultan Bahoo, and he played a vital role in spreading the Qadriya Sufi order in the Indian subcontinent. Main points 1. Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani migrated to India from syria in 1652. 2. He was a claimed descendant of Ghaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani Baghdadi. 3. He received Bay’Ah from Hazrat Syed Abdul Jaleel. 4. His Khanqah and mosque in Delhi remain a centre of devotion and spiritual learning. 5. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo was his foremost noble spiritual successor. ----- Introduction Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi belonged to the noble spiritual lineage of Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Originating from ancestral roots in Hama, Syria, he spent years deepening his spiritual refinement in Baghdad, immersing himself in meditation and divine knowledge. Ultimately, he devoted his life to Allah in Delhi, where through humility, silence, and profound spiritual authority, he firmly established and anchored the Qadiri order’s blessed legacy in the Indian subcontinent. His life exemplifies the true path of surrender, devotion, and silent service to God. Early Life And Family Background Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi was born in 1024 AH (1615 AD) in Hama, Syria, into a spiritually rich family. He was the son of Hazrat Syed Abdul Qadir, a pious dervish known for his deep wisdom, and grandson of Hazrat Sharfuddin, a revered scholar. From childhood, he was nurtured in an environment of religious learning and spiritual discipline. His noble lineage traces directly back to Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, through esteemed ancestor Hazrat Syed Abdul Razzaq Jilani. Guided by his forefathers, he embraced Sunni Islam and devoted himself fully to the Qadiri path, which shaped his spiritual mission and legacy. Spiritual Journey and Bay‘ah At the age of thirty-five, Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi journeyed to Baghdad, where he spent three years in deep meditative seclusion at the sacred shrine of his revered ancestor, Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. During this period of spiritual retreat and divine communion, he received profound guidance that directed him towards a greater mission. Following this divine inspiration, he embarked on a journey to India, traveling through Iran and Afghanistan, and arrived on the 13th of Dhul-Qa’dah 1062 AH (15th October 1652), during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Soon after, on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah 1062 AH (10th November 1652), he took bay‘ah (spiritual oath of allegiance) from the Hazrat Syed Abdul Jaleel. Shortly thereafter, on the 9th of Safar 1063 AH (8th January 1653), he relocated to Delhi, where he would establish his spiritual presence and continue his noble mission. Settlement in Delhi, Khanqah & Architecture After arriving in Delhi, Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Qadir chose to settle in the area now known near the Sadar Railway Station and the Muslim Waqf Board quarters. He purchased land and established a spiritual complex that included his residence, a Khanqah, the Shah Abdul Rehman Mosque, and dedicated rooms for his disciples and visitors. This site gradually evolved into a centre of Qadri spiritual activity in North India. His Mazar (shrine) lies within these same grounds, radiating the same quiet sanctity he embodied. Remarkably, the entire complex remained preserved and enclosed even during British-era railway expansion, testifying to its sacred and historical value. Marriage And Personal Life Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi married Hazrat Sayyida Zahida Khatoon, a noblewoman of Jilani lineage, on 6 Jumada al-Thani 1065 AH (12 April 1655 CE). From there marriage, two sons were born. The first, Hazrat Syed Taj‑ul‑Arifeen was born in 1070 AH (1660 CE) but passed away in early childhood in 1075 AH (1665 CE). The second, Hazrat Syed Abdul Aziz was born in 1082 AH (1671 CE) and continued the spiritual legacy of his noble father. Hazrat Sayyida Zahida Khatoon passed away in 1098 AH (1687 CE), around ten years after the death of her revered husband. She is believed to be buried near his mazar, and her resting place remains a site of quiet reverence among devotees. Chain of Fuqr & Spiritual Lineage Hazrat Syed Abdul Rahman Jilani Dehlvi was a direct Mureed of Hazrat Syed Abdul Jaleel Jilani and stood as the spiritual successor in the Sarwari Qadri silsila tracing back to the Prophet Muhammad. His place in this sacred chain preserved and transmitted the essence of the Qadri path, particularly the Sarwari Qadri branch, throughout the Indian subcontinent. This uninterrupted silsila reflects a continuous flow of divine knowledge, spiritual discipline, and inner purification. His genealogical lineage is as follows: Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi was the son of Hazrat Syed Abdul Qadir, son of Hazrat Sharfuddin, son of Hazrat Syed Ahmad, son of Hazrat Alauddin Saani, son of Hazrat Syed Shahabuddin Saani, son of Hazrat Sharfuddin Qasim, son of Hazrat Mohiyuddin Yahya, son of Hazrat Badaruddin Husain, son of Hazrat Alauddin, son of Hazrat Shamsuddin, son of Hazrat Saifuddin Yahya, son of Hazrat Zaheeruddin, son of Hazrat Abi Nasr, son of Hazrat Abu Saleh Nasr, son of Hazrat Syed Abdul Razzaq Jilani, who was the son of Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Spiritual Transmission The chain of spiritual transmission (Silsila) through the path of Fuqr leading to Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi begins with his own murshid, Hazrat Syed Abdul Jaleel. He was the disciple of Hazrat Syed Abdul Baqqa, who was in turn the disciple of Hazrat Syed Abdul Sattar. Hazrat Syed Abdul Sattar was the disciple of Hazrat Syed Abdul Fattah, who received spiritual training from Hazrat Syed Najmuddin of Burhanpur. Hazrat Syed Najmuddin was the disciple of Hazrat Syed Mohammad Sadiq Yahya Jilani, who was trained under Hazrat Syed Abdul Jabbar bin Abu Saleh Nasr. Hazrat Syed Abdul Jabbar was the disciple of Hazrat Shaykh Syed Abdul Razzaq Jilani, the illustrious son and khalifa of Gaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Teaching Style & Spiritual Authority Hazrat Syed Abdul Rahman Jilani Dehlvi was regarded as a ‘Qaim Maqam Faqir’, a spiritually stationed saint whose inner radiance drew seekers to him without the need for outward movement. He remained rooted in Delhi throughout his life, guiding aspirants with quiet authority and deep spiritual presence. Although historical accounts like Manaqib-e-Sultani mention that he was once entrusted with a government role as a treasury trustee, he kept his elevated spiritual state veiled. His radiance was such that even close disciples often found it difficult to endure his presence for long periods. This intense spiritual gravity became a mark of his inner station. Despite any temporary administrative duty, he stayed away from royal courts and public recognition, focusing solely on the purification and divine love. His khanqah in Delhi evolved into a beacon for Qadri teachings, rooted in silence, humility, and the transmission of fuqr through the spiritual chain reaching back to Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam and ultimately the Prophet Muhammad. Spiritual Successors and Legacy Among his foremost spiritual deputies was Hazrat Sultan Bahoo, who undertook formal bay‘ah (oath of allegiance) and rigorous spiritual training under his guidance. As his Khalifah al‑Akbar (Senior Khalifa), Hazrat Sultan Bahoo would go on to establish the renowned Qadriya Silsila, continuing his Murshid teachings across the Indian subcontinent. Alongside him, other entrusted deputies included his Khalifah al‑Asghar (Junior Khalifas): Hazrat Shah Habibullah Qadir, and Hazrat Syed Mohammad Siddiq, who became the first Sajjada Nashin (spiritual custodian) of his shrine. These successors ensured the transmission of his spiritual legacy with reverence and integrity. Death, Urs & Shrine Status Hazrat Abdul Rehman passed away on a Friday night, 21st Ramadan 1088 AH (corresponding to 16 November 1677 CE), during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. His urs is commemorated annually on 21st Ramadan, drawing seekers and devotees for Qur’an recitations, spiritual gatherings, Qawwali, and communal Langar. His shrine, along with the mosque and Khanqah, continues to serve as a living centre of devotion and learning. Notably, during the British period, railway tracks were rerouted to avoid disturbing the sanctity of the site—an enduring testimony to the reverence he commands even centuries later. Lineage of Descendants & Spiritual Continuity After Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi, the spiritual lineage was carried forward by his son, Hazrat Syed Abdul Aziz, who migrated to Madina Munawwara. There, he dedicated his life to seclusion, worship, and the inner sciences of Tasawwuf, embodying the ethos of silent spiritual service away from the public eye. His son, Hazrat Syed Abdullah Shah Madni Jilani, was divinely inspired to return to the Indian subcontinent. He eventually settled in Ahmedpur East, in present-day Bahawalpur (Pakistan). As the 26th Shaykh of the Qadriya Silsila, he played a vital role in sustaining and expanding the teachings of the order. His Khanqah became a centre of spiritual instruction, and his Mazar there continues to draw seekers, serving as a living testament to the enduring light of his grandfather’s legacy. Conclusion Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi embodies the ideal of silent spiritual power—the calm authority of a stationarian faqir who nurtured the Qadriya silsila in India. From early life in Syria and retreat in Baghdad, to settlement, marriage, and mentorship in Delhi, his journey was one of spiritual devotion rather than worldly acclaim. His construction of a Khanqah and mosque, mentorship of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo, and annual urs commemoration testify to his enduring influence. The Qadriya lineage continues through successors like Hazrat Syed Abdullah Shah Madni Jilani, and his shrine remains a place of reverence for seekers worldwide. ----- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/baghdad-delhi-qadri-hazrat-rehman-jilani-lit/d/136315 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