Question:
Is the book Ghaniyyat al-Talibin authentically attributed to Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani? What status does Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani hold according to Hadith scholars and the Imams of Jarh and Ta'dil?
Hence, this attribution is considered the stronger opinion.
⚠ Note: There is no known uninterrupted and authentic chain of transmission (isnad) for the commonly available versions of Ghaniyyat al-Talibin.
والله أعلم
Hafiz al-Dhahabi (رحمه الله) stated:
"الشيخ الإمام العالم الزاهد العارف القدوة ، شيخ الإسلام ، علم الأولياء"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20, p. 439)
Abu Muhammad Muwaffaq al-Din ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi al-Hanbali (d. 620 AH), author of al-Mughni, said:
"Akhbarana Shaykh al-Islam ‘Abdul Qadir ibn Abi Salih al-Jili"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20, p. 440 – Chain is authentic)
Hafiz al-Dhahabi also transmitted from Hafiz Ibn al-Sam‘ani (d. 562 AH) that he said about his teacher Shaykh Abdul Qadir:
"Faqih, Salih, Din, Khayr"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20.20 and Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 39.89)
⚠ Note: This statement is omitted in the five-volume printed edition of al-Ansab by al-Sam‘ani. والله أعلم
Hafiz Ibn al-Najjar, in his historical account, said about him:
"Wa awqa‘a lahu al-qubul al-‘azim… wa azhara Allah al-hikmah ‘ala lisanihi"
“Great acceptance was bestowed upon him… and Allah manifested wisdom through his speech.”
(Tarikh al-Islam by al-Dhahabi, vol. 39.92, year 561 AH)
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, despite his severe criticism, mentioned him in his renowned book al-Muntazam, without issuing any criticism.
(Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 39.189; al-Muntazam, vol. 18, p. 73, entry no. 4259)
Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) was a trustworthy, truthful, and pious individual.
However, some weak and fabricated narrations are present in his book Ghaniyyat al-Talibin.
[10th Ramadan 1428 AH]
[al-Hadith: 43]
Is the book Ghaniyyat al-Talibin authentically attributed to Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani? What status does Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani hold according to Hadith scholars and the Imams of Jarh and Ta'dil?
✔ Scholarly Opinion on
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the attribution of Ghaniyyat al-Talibin to Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله). However, Hafiz al-Dhahabi (d. 748 AH) and Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d. 795 AH) both have affirmed that the book is indeed authored by Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani.- See: Al-‘Uluww li’l-‘Ali al-Ghaffar by al-Dhahabi, p. 193
- Dhayl ‘ala Tabaqat al-Hanabilah by Ibn Rajab, vol. 1, p. 296
Hence, this attribution is considered the stronger opinion.
⚠ Note: There is no known uninterrupted and authentic chain of transmission (isnad) for the commonly available versions of Ghaniyyat al-Talibin.
والله أعلم
✔ Status of Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani in the Eyes of Hadith Scholars
Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) holds a highly esteemed position among the scholars of Hadith and the Imams of Islam.Hafiz al-Dhahabi (رحمه الله) stated:
"الشيخ الإمام العالم الزاهد العارف القدوة ، شيخ الإسلام ، علم الأولياء"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20, p. 439)
Abu Muhammad Muwaffaq al-Din ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi al-Hanbali (d. 620 AH), author of al-Mughni, said:
"Akhbarana Shaykh al-Islam ‘Abdul Qadir ibn Abi Salih al-Jili"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20, p. 440 – Chain is authentic)
Hafiz al-Dhahabi also transmitted from Hafiz Ibn al-Sam‘ani (d. 562 AH) that he said about his teacher Shaykh Abdul Qadir:
"Faqih, Salih, Din, Khayr"
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, vol. 20.20 and Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 39.89)
⚠ Note: This statement is omitted in the five-volume printed edition of al-Ansab by al-Sam‘ani. والله أعلم
Hafiz Ibn al-Najjar, in his historical account, said about him:
"Wa awqa‘a lahu al-qubul al-‘azim… wa azhara Allah al-hikmah ‘ala lisanihi"
“Great acceptance was bestowed upon him… and Allah manifested wisdom through his speech.”
(Tarikh al-Islam by al-Dhahabi, vol. 39.92, year 561 AH)
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, despite his severe criticism, mentioned him in his renowned book al-Muntazam, without issuing any criticism.
(Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 39.189; al-Muntazam, vol. 18, p. 73, entry no. 4259)
✔ Conclusion
From the testimonies of the Hadith scholars and other statements, it is evident that:Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) was a trustworthy, truthful, and pious individual.
However, some weak and fabricated narrations are present in his book Ghaniyyat al-Talibin.
[10th Ramadan 1428 AH] [al-Hadith: 43]