بسم اللّٰهِ الرحمن الرحيم
Hadrat
Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi
ٱلْإِمَام ٱلْجُنَيْد ٱلْبَغْدَادِي
(Rahimahullah) رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ
27 Rajab 297 AH
Abu al-Qasim
Born in Baghdad into a family of traders. His father was a glazier known as Al-Qawariri and also Al-Khazaz (clothworker). He was named Junayd after his grandfather. From his earliest years he showed remarkable signs of intelligence and piety (216 AH) — Baghdad
- ◈Was already issuing legal rulings (fatawa) at the age of twenty, demonstrating an extraordinary mastery of Islamic jurisprudence while still a young man
seerat-imam-junayd, p.15 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Kept tasawwuf firmly grounded in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) throughout his life, declaring: 'Our path is built upon the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger'
seerat-imam-junayd — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Prayed four hundred units of voluntary Salah every single day — hanging a veil in his father's shop and performing them behind it — a level of devotion that astonished even the greatest worshippers of his era
seerat-imam-junayd, p.10 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Observed voluntary fasts throughout the entire year, denying his nafs its desires in pursuit of closeness to Allah
seerat-imam-junayd, p.11 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Stood for thirty consecutive years in dhikr and worship from after Isha until the break of dawn every single night — a feat of spiritual endurance almost unparalleled in Islamic history
seerat-imam-junayd, p.10 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was described by Hadrat Abu al-Abbas Ata (rahmatullahi alayh) as 'imam and leader in the science of tasawwuf' — praise from one of the greatest scholars of the age
seerat-imam-junayd, p.7 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was recognised by Hadrat Ibn Athir (rahmatullahi alayh) as the world's leading imam in his time
seerat-imam-junayd, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was given the exalted title Taj al-'Arifin (Crown of the Gnostics) by Hadrat Abu Bakr al-Kattani (rahmatullahi alayh) in the presence of the scholars of Makkah al-Mukarramah — a title conferred by the people of the most sacred city on earth
seerat-imam-junayd, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈When he was a young boy, he correctly answered the scholars of Makkah's question on thankfulness — defining it as 'not disobeying Allah with the very bounties He bestowed' — and the scholars unanimously agreed with him. This early display of wisdom foreshadowed his unmatched spiritual brilliance
seerat-imam-junayd, p.15 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Hadrat Abu al-Ja'far Haddad (rahmatullahi alayh) declared: 'If intellect was a man, it would be in the form of Junayd al-Baghdadi' — placing him at the very pinnacle of human wisdom and understanding
seerat-imam-junayd, p.7 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Hadrat Abu al-Abbas Surayj (rahmatullahi alayh) once delivered a speech of such impact that people were overjoyed. He told them: 'These are the blessings that come from being around Abu al-Qasim Junayd al-Baghdadi' — attributing all his eloquence and insight to his time in this great saint's company
seerat-imam-junayd, p.19 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈A pious person testified: 'I have never seen anybody like a shaykh in Baghdad known as Junayd. He chose the most elegant of words to speak with. His eloquence and rhetoric were unmatched. Philosophers and theologians came to learn the meanings of difficult words and understand complex topics from him.'
seerat-imam-junayd, p.20 — Maktaba tul Madina
Born in Baghdad into a family of craftsmen and traders
His father Al-Qawariri was a glazier (glass worker) also known by the trade name Al-Khazaz (clothworker). He was named Junayd after his grandfather, a name that would become one of the most celebrated in the history of Islamic spirituality
As a young child, answered the scholars of Makkah on the definition of thankfulness
When young, he accompanied his father to Makkah. Scholars there were debating thankfulness. They asked the child: 'What do you think thankfulness is?' He replied: 'Thankfulness is to not disobey Allah with the very bounties He bestowed.' The assembled scholars unanimously agreed with his answer — an early sign of the extraordinary wisdom Allah had placed in him
His father's zakat led to his being accepted by Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
As a child, his father took zakat money to his uncle Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh), who refused to accept it. His father wept. Junayd took the same money to his uncle and said: 'I take an oath by He Who bestowed blessing upon you and gave justice to my father! Allah blessed you with the spiritual openings of a dervish, and He was just to my father by causing him to be busy with the world.' Hadrat Sari al-Saqati was elated: 'Before accepting this zakat, I have accepted you.' Junayd al-Baghdadi then began to study and live with his uncle
Studied jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began issuing fatawa at age twenty
He studied Islamic jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began writing legal edicts (fatawa) in his presence at the age of twenty — a remarkable achievement that established his scholarly credentials while he was still very young
Took spiritual discipleship under Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
His murshid (spiritual guide) was Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh) — who was also his maternal uncle. Under his guidance he undertook rigorous spiritual training. His guide once advised him to use clay pots rather than fine vessels as a lesson in humility — an instruction he embraced wholeheartedly
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to begin public preaching
He had refused to begin public speaking out of respect for his murshid Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh): 'It does not feel right that I preach and speak publicly whilst you are present.' The following Thursday night, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream, declaring: 'Junayd, address the people. Allah shall grant salvation to many through your speeches.' He then received a message from Sari al-Saqati the next morning confirming the vision. He later said: 'This is when I realised my spiritual mentor knows well what is in my heart.'
Established as the 11th Shaykh in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari spiritual order
His position in the great chain of spiritual succession places him among the most exalted figures in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari silsilah — the blessed spiritual lineage connecting to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Spent thirty years in nightly vigil from Isha to Fajr
For an unbroken period of thirty years he stood in dhikr and worship from after Isha prayer until the break of dawn every single night. This extraordinary practice of spiritual endurance earned him recognition as the foremost saint of his era
Recognised by the leading scholars and saints of his age as the imam of tasawwuf
Scholars including Hadrat Abu al-Abbas Ata (rahmatullahi alayh), Hadrat Abu Ja'far Haddad (rahmatullahi alayh), and Hadrat Ibn Athir (rahmatullahi alayh) all praised him as the foremost authority in the science of tasawwuf and the world's leading imam in his era
Born in Baghdad into a family of craftsmen and traders
His father Al-Qawariri was a glazier (glass worker) also known by the trade name Al-Khazaz (clothworker). He was named Junayd after his grandfather, a name that would become one of the most celebrated in the history of Islamic spirituality
As a young child, answered the scholars of Makkah on the definition of thankfulness
When young, he accompanied his father to Makkah. Scholars there were debating thankfulness. They asked the child: 'What do you think thankfulness is?' He replied: 'Thankfulness is to not disobey Allah with the very bounties He bestowed.' The assembled scholars unanimously agreed with his answer — an early sign of the extraordinary wisdom Allah had placed in him
His father's zakat led to his being accepted by Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
As a child, his father took zakat money to his uncle Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh), who refused to accept it. His father wept. Junayd took the same money to his uncle and said: 'I take an oath by He Who bestowed blessing upon you and gave justice to my father! Allah blessed you with the spiritual openings of a dervish, and He was just to my father by causing him to be busy with the world.' Hadrat Sari al-Saqati was elated: 'Before accepting this zakat, I have accepted you.' Junayd al-Baghdadi then began to study and live with his uncle
Studied jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began issuing fatawa at age twenty
He studied Islamic jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began writing legal edicts (fatawa) in his presence at the age of twenty — a remarkable achievement that established his scholarly credentials while he was still very young
Took spiritual discipleship under Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
His murshid (spiritual guide) was Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh) — who was also his maternal uncle. Under his guidance he undertook rigorous spiritual training. His guide once advised him to use clay pots rather than fine vessels as a lesson in humility — an instruction he embraced wholeheartedly
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to begin public preaching
He had refused to begin public speaking out of respect for his murshid Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh): 'It does not feel right that I preach and speak publicly whilst you are present.' The following Thursday night, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream, declaring: 'Junayd, address the people. Allah shall grant salvation to many through your speeches.' He then received a message from Sari al-Saqati the next morning confirming the vision. He later said: 'This is when I realised my spiritual mentor knows well what is in my heart.'
Established as the 11th Shaykh in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari spiritual order
His position in the great chain of spiritual succession places him among the most exalted figures in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari silsilah — the blessed spiritual lineage connecting to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Spent thirty years in nightly vigil from Isha to Fajr
For an unbroken period of thirty years he stood in dhikr and worship from after Isha prayer until the break of dawn every single night. This extraordinary practice of spiritual endurance earned him recognition as the foremost saint of his era
Recognised by the leading scholars and saints of his age as the imam of tasawwuf
Scholars including Hadrat Abu al-Abbas Ata (rahmatullahi alayh), Hadrat Abu Ja'far Haddad (rahmatullahi alayh), and Hadrat Ibn Athir (rahmatullahi alayh) all praised him as the foremost authority in the science of tasawwuf and the world's leading imam in his era
Born in Baghdad into a family of craftsmen and traders
His father Al-Qawariri was a glazier (glass worker) also known by the trade name Al-Khazaz (clothworker). He was named Junayd after his grandfather, a name that would become one of the most celebrated in the history of Islamic spirituality
As a young child, answered the scholars of Makkah on the definition of thankfulness
When young, he accompanied his father to Makkah. Scholars there were debating thankfulness. They asked the child: 'What do you think thankfulness is?' He replied: 'Thankfulness is to not disobey Allah with the very bounties He bestowed.' The assembled scholars unanimously agreed with his answer — an early sign of the extraordinary wisdom Allah had placed in him
His father's zakat led to his being accepted by Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
As a child, his father took zakat money to his uncle Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh), who refused to accept it. His father wept. Junayd took the same money to his uncle and said: 'I take an oath by He Who bestowed blessing upon you and gave justice to my father! Allah blessed you with the spiritual openings of a dervish, and He was just to my father by causing him to be busy with the world.' Hadrat Sari al-Saqati was elated: 'Before accepting this zakat, I have accepted you.' Junayd al-Baghdadi then began to study and live with his uncle
Studied jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began issuing fatawa at age twenty
He studied Islamic jurisprudence with Hadrat Abu Thawr (rahmatullahi alayh) and began writing legal edicts (fatawa) in his presence at the age of twenty — a remarkable achievement that established his scholarly credentials while he was still very young
Took spiritual discipleship under Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh)
His murshid (spiritual guide) was Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh) — who was also his maternal uncle. Under his guidance he undertook rigorous spiritual training. His guide once advised him to use clay pots rather than fine vessels as a lesson in humility — an instruction he embraced wholeheartedly
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to begin public preaching
He had refused to begin public speaking out of respect for his murshid Hadrat Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh): 'It does not feel right that I preach and speak publicly whilst you are present.' The following Thursday night, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him in a dream, declaring: 'Junayd, address the people. Allah shall grant salvation to many through your speeches.' He then received a message from Sari al-Saqati the next morning confirming the vision. He later said: 'This is when I realised my spiritual mentor knows well what is in my heart.'
Established as the 11th Shaykh in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari spiritual order
His position in the great chain of spiritual succession places him among the most exalted figures in the Qadiri Ridawi 'Attari silsilah — the blessed spiritual lineage connecting to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Spent thirty years in nightly vigil from Isha to Fajr
For an unbroken period of thirty years he stood in dhikr and worship from after Isha prayer until the break of dawn every single night. This extraordinary practice of spiritual endurance earned him recognition as the foremost saint of his era
Recognised by the leading scholars and saints of his age as the imam of tasawwuf
Scholars including Hadrat Abu al-Abbas Ata (rahmatullahi alayh), Hadrat Abu Ja'far Haddad (rahmatullahi alayh), and Hadrat Ibn Athir (rahmatullahi alayh) all praised him as the foremost authority in the science of tasawwuf and the world's leading imam in his era
- ♥Prayed four hundred units of voluntary Salah daily without interruption — hanging a veil in his father's shop and offering them behind it, combining the obligations of commerce and worship
seerat-imam-junayd, p.10 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Kept voluntary fasts throughout the entire year as a means of purifying the soul and subduing the nafs
seerat-imam-junayd, p.11 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥For thirty years he would stand in dhikr of Allah from after Isha prayer until the break of Fajr every night — never breaking this practice, keeping the same wudu from Isha to Fajr
seerat-imam-junayd, p.10 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Declared: 'I did not miss the opening takbir of congregational salah even once in twenty years' — a statement of extraordinary commitment to the congregational prayer
seerat-imam-junayd, p.11 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥His spiritual guide, Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh), advised him to use clay pots in his home as a lesson in humility — 'try to ensure that the pots you use in your home have the same taxonomy as you (made from clay)' — counsel he embraced completely
seerat-imam-junayd, p.13 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Built his entire approach to tasawwuf on the Quran and Sunnah, declaring that any spiritual path not anchored to both is deviant — 'Whoever does not memorise the Quran and write hadith is not to be followed in this path'
seerat-imam-junayd — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥When asked about the righteous servants of Allah, he said: 'Those who recognise Allah carry out the deeds granted to them by Him... If I were to live for a thousand years, I still would not reduce how many good deeds I perform, even by an atom' — a declaration of his unwavering commitment to worship regardless of any station attained
seerat-imam-junayd, p.12 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Refused 500 gold coins offered by a wealthy man with the words: 'Keep these, you are more rightful to them than I. By the grace of Allah, they are not something I need, yet your heart desires them' — an expression of complete independence from worldly wealth
seerat-imam-junayd, p.6 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥When returning from Hajj and encountering a man who had also returned, he asked whether he had truly left his sins behind when departing — 'You have not done hajj at all!' — using a profound challenge to teach the inner meaning of pilgrimage
seerat-imam-junayd, p.12 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥At iftaar time during a fast, he took a fig to his mouth — then immediately removed it and wept. He had heard an unseen voice saying: 'Are you not ashamed by returning to a desire you left for My sake?' — a manifestation of his extraordinary sensitivity to the state of his own heart before Allah
seerat-imam-junayd, p.20 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ✦Was blessed with the ability to perceive what lay in the hearts of people (firasah). Hadrat Khayr al-Nasaj (rahmatullahi alayh) attested: he thought of the shaykh at home, and the shaykh appeared at his door asking 'Why did you not come outside when you first thought of me?' — knowing his murid's thought without any outward communication
seerat-imam-junayd, p.13 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ✦During a gathering in the central masjid of Baghdad, a young man asked the meaning of the hadith 'Fear the believer's firasah, for he sees with the light of Allah.' The shaykh lowered his head briefly, then looked at the young man and said: 'You are Christian, and the time has come for you to become Muslim.' The young man became Muslim at once — a double miracle: the shaykh knew the man was a non-Muslim, and also knew he would accept Islam right then and there
seerat-imam-junayd, p.17 — Maktaba tul Madina
Al-Qawariri — a glazier (glass worker) from Baghdad, also known as Al-Khazaz (clothworker)
Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh) — who also became his murshid and spiritual guide
Named Junayd after his grandfather
“Our path is built upon the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Whoever does not memorise the Quran and write hadith is not to be followed in this path, for our knowledge is bound by and referred back to the Quran and Sunnah”
seerat-imam-junayd — Maktaba tul Madina
“Thankfulness is to not disobey Allah with the very bounties He bestowed”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.15 — Maktaba tul Madina
“You have not done hajj at all!”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.12 — Maktaba tul Madina
“Those who recognise Allah carry out the deeds granted to them by Him. If I were to live for a thousand years, I still would not reduce how many good deeds I perform, even by an atom”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.12 — Maktaba tul Madina
“This is when I realised my spiritual mentor knows well what is in my heart”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.16 — Maktaba tul Madina
“Keep these [gold coins], you are more rightful to them than I. By the grace of Allah, they are not something I need, yet your heart desires them”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.6 — Maktaba tul Madina
“As long as my spiritual mentor Sari al-Saqati is among us, I cannot begin speaking publicly”
seerat-imam-junayd, p.16 — Maktaba tul Madina
- 🌟When Hadrat Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi (rahmatullahi alayh) was just a small child, the great scholars of Makkah asked him a really hard question — 'What is thankfulness?' — and his answer was so perfect that ALL the scholars agreed with him!
- 🌟He was already answering difficult Islamic questions and giving legal opinions when he was just 20 years old — younger than many students are when they finish school!
- 🌟He prayed 400 extra voluntary prayers EVERY SINGLE DAY — that is on top of the five compulsory prayers — performing them behind a curtain in his father's shop!
- 🌟For 30 whole years, he would stay awake from after Isha prayer until Fajr every night — doing dhikr of Allah without stopping!
- 🌟He could sense what was in the hearts of people — once a student just THOUGHT about him at home, and he appeared at the door asking 'Why didn't you come when you thought of me?'!
- 🌟The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself appeared to him in a dream and told him to start giving speeches — after that he became one of the most celebrated speakers in all of Baghdad!
- 🌟His spiritual guide was his own maternal uncle — Hadrat Imam Sari al-Saqati (rahmatullahi alayh) — making his family a family of great saints!
