The Truthfulness of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani

The Story of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s Truthfulness

BY:Khan

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, known with great reverence as Ghaus-e-Azam, was one of the greatest saints and scholars of Islam. His entire life was devoted to the service of religion, the guidance of people, and the spread of truth. Countless men and women attained spiritual benefit from his company, and even centuries later, people across the world continue to draw inspiration from his teachings.

From his early childhood, Sheikh Abdul Qadir showed an extraordinary passion for learning. While other children of his age were often busy with play, he was drawn toward books, scholars, and gatherings of knowledge. He completed his early education in his hometown, Jilan, but he soon realized that to achieve higher Islamic education, he would have to travel to Baghdad, which at that time was the great center of knowledge and scholarship.

In those days, travel was not easy. There were no cars, trains, or airplanes. People used to travel in caravans, either on foot or on animals, facing the dangers of long deserts, forests, and mountains. Bandits and robbers often attacked these caravans, and journeys were both uncertain and dangerous.

When Sheikh Abdul Qadir expressed his desire to travel to Baghdad for education, his mother, a pious and noble woman, fully supported his ambition. Before sending him off, she prepared some food for the journey and sewed forty gold coins inside the lining of his shirt so that he could manage his expenses while living in Baghdad. However, more important than the gold coins was the heartfelt advice she gave him at the time of departure.

She said to him lovingly but firmly:
“My dear son, always speak the truth. Never tell a lie, no matter the circumstances. Hold on to truthfulness, for it will guide you and protect you.”

Sheikh Abdul Qadir listened carefully to his mother’s words, engraved them in his heart, and promised to live by them. With that, he joined a caravan that was heading towards Baghdad.

The caravan began its long and weary journey. The travelers moved cautiously, for everyone was aware that the roads were unsafe and that robbers often lurked nearby. After covering two stages of the journey, just as everyone feared, a group of bandits suddenly attacked the caravan in the darkness of night.

Panic spread among the travelers. Cries of fear and helplessness filled the air as the robbers plundered the belongings of the people. They took whatever they found—money, valuables, and food.

During this chaos, one of the robbers approached young Abdul Qadir and asked harshly:
“Boy! What do you have with you?”

Without hesitation, the young boy replied:
“I have forty gold coins. They are sewn inside the lining of my shirt.”

The robber thought the boy was joking. With a mocking laugh, he ignored him and went on to loot others. Shortly afterward, another robber came to Abdul Qadir and asked the same question. Once again, he gave the same reply:
“I have forty gold coins hidden inside my shirt.”

This robber was puzzled by the boy’s response. He thought perhaps the child was speaking the truth. So he caught hold of him and dragged him to the leader of the bandits.

The chief of the robbers looked at Sheikh Abdul Qadir with curiosity. He asked sternly:
“Tell me the truth, boy. What do you really have with you?”

The boy, calm and fearless, repeated his words:
“I have forty gold coins sewn into my shirt.”

The leader was astonished at this confession. He ordered the boy’s shirt to be opened, and to everyone’s amazement, forty gold coins fell to the ground.

The bandit leader’s eyes widened in shock. He asked in disbelief:
“Why did you reveal this secret? You could have easily hidden the truth and saved your wealth. Why did you tell us about the gold coins?”

Sheikh Abdul Qadir replied with remarkable innocence and firmness:
“My mother advised me before I left home that I should never tell a lie, no matter what happens. I promised her that I would always speak the truth, and I cannot break that promise.”

These words pierced the heart of the bandit chief. He looked at the young boy before him and then looked at himself. Tears welled up in his eyes. He thought:
“Here is a child who is so loyal to the advice of his mother, who values truth so highly that he risks losing his only wealth for it. And here am I, a grown man, who for years has been disobedient to the commands of my Creator, looting and harming innocent people.”

The sincerity of the boy shook him to his core. His heart, long covered with the darkness of sin, suddenly felt the light of realization. Overcome with guilt and remorse, he began to weep openly. He turned to his companions and declared:
“From this day onwards, I repent before Allah. I can no longer continue this sinful life. This boy has opened my eyes to the truth. Let us return everything we have stolen.”

To the astonishment of the caravan, the bandit leader ordered his men to return all the belongings to their rightful owners. The robbers, moved by the transformation of their leader, also followed his example and repented.

Thus, by the truthfulness of a young boy who refused to tell a lie, an entire group of hardened criminals found the path of righteousness and changed their lives forever.

This story from the life of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani is not merely an incident from history—it carries a timeless lesson. It shows us how powerful truth can be, how a single act of honesty can transform lives, and how the sincere advice of a mother can shape the destiny of her child.

Sheikh Abdul Qadir grew up to become one of the greatest saints of Islam, guiding people with wisdom, knowledge, and spirituality. Yet, even in his childhood, his commitment to truth set an example that continues to inspire generations.

The robbers who once lived by greed and violence turned towards faith and goodness because of his honesty. And this became one of the first signs of the great influence he would later have on countless souls throughout his life.

Indeed, the light of truth never fades.