Hundreds of South Africans set to visit Urs of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA)

For the South African pilgrims, visiting the mazaar of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani in Baghdad is a deeply personal and spiritual experience. It is a moment to connect with a saint whose spiritual lineage traces directly back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED
In the coming weeks, a significant number of South Africans are set to embark on a spiritual journey to Iraq, joining hundreds of international visitors for the annual Urs of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA).
This pilgrimage is more than just a visit; it is an act of profound reverence for a figure whose legacy has shaped Islamic spirituality for centuries.
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) is a luminary of Islamic history and a pivotal figure for Sunni Muslims worldwide. Known by the honorific title Muḥi al-Dīn, or ‘the Reviver of the Religion,’ he is celebrated for his extraordinary piety, deep scholarship, and unparalleled spiritual authority.
Born in the 11th century, his life was dedicated to revitalising Islamic teachings and emphasising the importance of inner purification and divine love. He was a distinguished Hanbali scholar and an eloquent preacher whose sermons were so powerful they were said to draw thousands. His compassionate approach to faith and his emphasis on ethical living resonated deeply with people from all walks of life, leading to the formation of the Qadiriyya, one of the oldest and most widely respected Sufi orders in the world.

The magnificent dome over the mazaar of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo: Ahlus Sunnah Media Network)

A group of attendees light lamps in the court yard of the mazaar of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) in Baghdad, Iraq during the Urs week. (Photo: Ahlus Sunnah Media Network)

At the mazaar of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), from left: Sayed Ridhwaan (executive member of the Cape Town Ulama Board), Peer Sayed Asad Bapu Jilani (Pakistan) and Ridwaan Ismail (Sure Mirage Travels. (Photo: Ahlus Sunnah Media Network)

A view of the qabr of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA). (Photo: Ahlus Sunnah Media Network)

For the South African pilgrims, visiting his mazaar in Baghdad is a deeply personal and spiritual experience. It is a moment to connect with a saint whose spiritual lineage traces directly back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. By attending his Urs, they are not only honouring his memory but also seeking to draw inspiration from his immense spiritual stature to strengthen their own faith. The event draws thousands of devotees from around the globe, creating a truly unique and powerful atmosphere of shared love and devotion.
Beyond Baghdad, the journey holds additional significance as the pilgrims will also visit the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. This part of the pilgrimage underscores the interconnectedness of Islamic history and the shared veneration for the Prophet’s family, the Ahlul Bayt.
In Najaf, pilgrims will visit the mazaar of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), the Prophet’s cousin, son-in-law, and the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph in Sunni Islam. For many Sunnis, he is also the source of their spiritual chains in Sufism, making his resting place a site of immense spiritual importance.
The final destination is Karbala, home to the mazaar of Imam Husayn (RA), the Prophet’s beloved grandson, and his brother Abbas (RA). While these sites are central to Shia pilgrims, Sunni visitors also come to pay their respects and express their profound love and sorrow for the tragedy that befell the Prophet’s family. This act of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the values of justice and sacrifice that Imam Husayn exemplified. By visiting all these sites, the South African pilgrims are engaging in a comprehensive spiritual journey that honours the full breadth of their Islamic heritage.
The Cape Town Ulama Board and Cape Town Islamic Education Centre (CTIEC) members, led by Hazrat Moulana Sayed Imraan Shah Ziyaee, will be taking a group from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Other noteworthy figures, like Hafidh Fuzail Soofie, Hazrat Yacoob Subrathie and Shaykh Mahmood Khatib, are also set to visit with their groups.
Media representatives from Ahlus Sunnah Media Network and Azam Khans are scheduled to cover the journey of the South African Sunni Muslims to these sites in Iraq.
Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed is co-founder of Ahlus Sunnah Media Network.