Abdul Qadir Gilani (Persian: عبدالقادر گیلانی, romanized: 'Abdulqādir Gīlānī, Arabic: عبد القادر الجيلاني, romanized: ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī) was a Hanbali scholar, preacher, and Sufi leader who was the eponym of the Qadiriyya, one of the oldest Sufi orders.

[6] Abdul Qadir Jilani holds the unique position in the hierarchy of Sufi Saints (Wali) having achieved the Rank (Maqam) of "Ghawth" (the Helper).

[9] He most famously declared that: "My Foot is raised over the neck of every Saint of Allah", in reference to his station of "Ghawth 'l-A'zam" (the Supreme Helper).

[10] Followers of the Qadiriyya Sufi Order are required to call out the 'names of 'Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani' also known as the 'Plea for Help' (al-Isti'ana) which includes statements such as:[11] Gilani was born in 1077 or 1078.

[1] During his stay in the city of Baghdad, Gilani was called ajami (non-Arab), which according to Bruce Lawrence may be because he spoke Persian alongside Arabic.

[1] Lawrence finds this claim inconsistent with Gilani's apparent Persian background, and considers it to have been "traced by overzealous hagiographers.

He placed Shafi'i jurisprudence (fiqh) on an equal footing with the Hanbali school (madhhab), and used to give fatwa according to both of them simultaneously.

"[22]Abdul Qadir Jilani states that: "The first thing that Allah created was the Muhammadan Reality (al-Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya).

"[23]Abdul Qadir Jilani states that: "Insight comes from the eye (kashf) of the spirit (ruh), which opens within the heart (qalb) of the Saint (Awliya).

The knowledge that is sent down to us is twofold: exoteric and esoteric, meaning the sacred law (shari'a) and direct understanding (ma'rifa).

Its achievement requires the endurance of personal and spiritual hardships for the sake of pleasing Allah (Exalted is He) without hypocritical display (riya') and the pursuit of fame (sum'a).

He was said to have been a convincing preacher who converted numerous Jews and Christians and who integrated Sufi mysticism with Islamic Law.

[26] Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani converted thousands of people to Islam through his compassionate and inclusive approach to Inner purification and devotion towards Allah.

His emphasis on inner purification, divine love, and ethical living resonated deeply with many, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds.

[27] One of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani's most significant contributions was the establishment of the Madrasah al-Qadiriyya in Baghdad.

The curriculum included the study of the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Tasawwuf (Sufism), providing a comprehensive religious education.

Prominent figures such as Nur ad-Din Zangi and Salahuddin Ayyubi were known to respect and follow the principles advocated by the Shaykh, which contributed to their own reforms and successes.