Abdal

Others In terms of Ihsan: Abdāl (Arabic: أبدال) lit: substitutes, but which can also mean "generous" [karīm] and "noble" [sharīf]) is a term used in Islamic metaphysics and Islamic mysticism, both Sunni and Shiite,[1] to refer to a particularly important group of God's saints.

The Abdals are headed by their leader, "Al-Ghawth (Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani)" ("the Helper"), who resides in Baghdad.

Such concepts are established in the Sunni branch of Islam, and in particular in the latter's original Sufi schools of spiritual disciplines.

The abdal function as the keepers of equilibrium in the world and preserve it between the times when prophets are present.

With the ability to transmit blessings (baraka) and perform miracles (karāmāt) the abdal as a whole are able to adequately fill the role of prophet.

Similarly, it is believed that when judgement day comes, they will act as intermediaries (šafāʿa) between God and the human race.

In his divine court, there are three hundred akhyār ("excellent ones"), forty abdāl ("substitutes"), seven abrār ("piously devoted ones"), four awtād ("pillars") three nuqabā ("leaders") and one qutb.

There are eight nujabā ("nobles"), twelve nuqabā, seven abdāl, four awtād, two a’immah ("guides"), and the qutb.