12th Safar: Urs of Shaykh Abdullah Dahlawi, 30th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

The 12th of Safar marks uroos/passing of Maulana Shaykh Abdullah Dahlawiق.

Heق was the 30th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

Mawlana Shaykh Abdullah ad-Dahlawiق, also known as Abdullah Shah Ghulam Aliق, was one of the great spiritual masters of the Naqshbandi Way. He lived in India during the 18th and 19th centuries and is remembered for his deep knowledge, strong character, and powerful spiritual presence. He guided thousands of people and left behind a strong legacy that continues to shape the Naqshbandi Way today.

He was born in the year 1745 in a town called Bitala in Punjab. His family traced its roots back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Before his birth, both his parents had dreams that a blessed child would come into their lives. When he was born, they named him Abdullah as inspired by their dreams.

From a very young age, he showed signs of great spiritual promise. He memorised the entire Qur’an in just one month, which amazed even his teachers. As he grew older, he continued to learn the outer religious sciences and was also drawn to a life of worship and spiritual retreat.

In his early years, he followed the Qadiriyya and Chishtiyya paths, two well-known Sufi Orders in India. But his main spiritual journey began at the age of 22 when he met his guide, Shaykh Jan Janan Habibullah ad-Dahlawiق, a great master of the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi order.

Under Shaykh Habibullahق’s guidance, Shaykh Abdullahق went through fifteen years of intense spiritual training. His Shaykh tested him with strict discipline, and he passed every test with patience and dedication. After completing his training, he was given permission to guide others and was appointed as a spiritual heir.

Shaykh Abdullahق lived a life of deep worship and very little comfort. He often went into seclusion, spending days and nights in prayer and remembrance of Allah ﷻ. In one retreat, he lived on nothing but water for forty days. He did not even sleep on a bed.

During this time, he was spiritually sustained by divine support. His body became weak, but his heart grew stronger. It is said that help from Allah ﷻ came to him in hidden ways, and his faith only increased.

He would wake up during the night for long prayers, often completing hundreds of rakaah of prayer before dawn. His days were filled with Qur’an recitation, remembrance of Allah ﷻ, study of hadith, and teaching his students. People from all walks of life came to see him. Some came with questions, some for help, and many just to sit in his presence.

His gatherings were full of peace and spiritual light. He spoke little but whatever he said touched hearts. His khaniqah (dergah) in Delhi became a place of worship, learning, and service. Every day, over two thousand people were fed there. He did not keep wealth for himself. Whatever came to him in the form of donations was given away the same day.

Despite his high spiritual rank, he lived with great humility. He dressed simply, avoided praise, and never boasted of his status. He always saw himself as a servant of Allah ﷻ. Many miracles were witnessed in his life, although he never spoke of them. People had dreams of him even before meeting him. Some reported that just being in his company removed their doubts and brought their hearts to life.

There are stories of kings and nobles who changed their ways after visiting him. In one famous event, a drought-struck area received forty days of rain after he made a prayer. In another, a storm at sea was calmed after someone called upon his name.

Shaykh Abdullahق taught that the goal of the seeker is to reach Allah ﷻ and nothing else. He explained that many people seek the world, others seek paradise, and some even seek spiritual experiences.

But the true servant of Allah ﷻ is the one who seeks only Him ﷻ for His sake. He taught that every moment in life is precious and should be used for prayer, learning, or service. He warned his students against wasting time in laziness or pointless talk. He reminded them to guard their intentions and to always remember Allah ﷻ in their hearts.

He placed great importance on inner purification. He said that true knowledge is not only what is learned from books, but what is felt in the heart. He taught that the spiritual mind can know truth directly through the light that Allah ﷻ places within it.

This is different from the worldly mind, which depends only on senses and logic. He believed that the seeker must rise above the pull of the ego and desires in order to reach real understanding.

Shaykh Abdullahق believed that taking bayah, or spiritual initiation, with a true guide was a major step in the spiritual path. He explained that bayah connects the seeker to the chain of saints going back to the Prophet ﷺ.

Through it, a person receives blessings, support, and the opportunity to repent sincerely. But he warned that bayah must be followed by effort and sincerity. Without action, the connection means little.

Though he was mainly known for his work in the Naqshbandi path, Shaykh Abdullahق also received permission to guide in other major Sufi Orders such as the Qadiriyya, Chishtiyya, Suhrawardiyya, and Kubrawiyya. This made him a unique figure who brought together different spiritual paths.

He passed these blessings to his students, especially to his famous successor, Shaykh Khalid al-Baghdadiق. Shaykh Khalidق would go on to spread the teachings of the Naqshbandi Way across the Middle East, reaching Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and beyond.

Shaykh Abdullahق wrote several works to guide future generations. Among them are Maqamat an-Naqshbandiyya, Risalat al-Ishtighal, Manahij at-Tahqiq, and Minhatu-r-Rahman. These books reflect his deep understanding of the spiritual path and his concern for guiding others clearly and gently.

He passed away in the year 1825 and was buried next to his own Shaykh in Delhi. His funeral was attended by thousands, including many leading scholars and saints of the time. Even after his passing, his teachings continued to spread through his students and writings.

He passed the secret of the revered Golden Chain to Maulana Shaykh Khalid al-Baghdadi al-Uthmani as-Sulaymaniق.

Today, Shaykh Abdullah ad-Dahlawiق is remembered as a true reviver of the Sufi Way. His life shows what it means to live for Allah ﷻ alone, to serve without seeking reward, and to guide others with love and wisdom.

In a time full of distraction and confusion, his example stands as a reminder of what is possible for someone who fully turns to Allah ﷻ. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who follow the path of sincerity, remembrance, and service.

Tonight, do send gifts of Surah Al-Fatiha and Yasin to our 30th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain, Maulana Shaykh Abdullah Dahlawiق.

With Love, Al-Fatiha.

To learn more about the month of Safar, please click here.

Google Drive to the full devotions can be found here.