The Secret of Secrets

An interpretive translation of “The Secret of Secrets”, which was written by Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, who was considered by many to be one of the greatest saints of Islam, and was founder of the Qadiriyya order. The book contains the very essence of Sufism, giving a Sufi explanation of the fundamental duties of Islam – prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage. The book forms a bridge between al-Jilani’s two famous works, “Ghunyat al-Talibin” (“Wealth for Seekers”), which is meant to inspire men and women to be good practicing Muslims, and “Futuh al-ghayb” (“Revelation of the Unseen”), a late collection of lectures on mystical topics.

Author Biography

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, born near the Caspian Sea, was the son of the great saint Fatima bint ABook Descriptionullah al-Sawma’i. After a period of intense intellectual and mystical training he received the khirqa (robe of initiation) and was soon recognised as a saint and scholar, consulted, loved and revered by caliph and pauper alike. As one of the most venerated figures in Sufism his burial place in Baghdad still attracts numerous visitors from many countries.