History

Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi was a notable Sufi saint of the Qadri Order in the Indian Subcontinent. His predecessors include Abdul Qadir Jilani, who initiated the silsila of the Qadri order. He played a major role in establishing the order in Delhi.

He was born in 1024 AH (1615 AD) in Hama, Syria. He was the son of Syed Abdul Qadir, a dervish himself from whom he received his early education. At 35, he chose to stay at the tomb of Abdul Qadir Jilani in Baghdad for 3 years. On Tuesday 13 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1062 AH (15 October 1652 AD), during the Mughal era of emperor Shah Jahan, he went to India to meet Syed Abdul Jaleel. He took Bay'at on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1062 AH (10 November 1652 AD) and went to Delhi on 9 Safar 1063 AH (8 January 1653 AD). Here he resided himself and made a Khanqah. This is where his shrine is built as well as a mosque called Shah Abdul Rehman Mosque.

Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi lived a life of anonymity not giving attention to fame or the royal court of the Delhi Sultanate.

He stayed within Delhi and guided people and benefited them spiritually. Not single evidence states that he ever went out of Delhi hence, he is also termed as Qaim Maqam Faqeer. His teachings were passed on by his descendents.

Sultan Bahoo was the khalifa-e-akbar (senior spiritual successor) of Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani. Khalifa-e-asghar (junior spiritual successors) included Shah Habib Allah Qadri and Syed Mohammad Siddique, who was the first caretaker of his shrine and had no children. Abdul Rehman Jilani was the Murshid of the Sultan Bahoo, a saint of the Qadri family as well as a man of revelations and miracles.

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