Abd al-Qadir al-Ghaylani (1077-1165) is one of the most influential figures in Sufi history, offering a spiritual guide to believers through his work, Fütuhu’l Gayb (The Opening of the Hidden). The work deeply explores the stages of purifying the ego, cleansing the heart, and attaining God, employing an eloquent style.
According to al-Ghaylani, there are three fundamental principles that every believer should adhere to in all circumstances: obedience to God’s commands, avoidance of His prohibitions, and acceptance of fate (qadar). The believer should fill their heart with concern for these three matters and cling to them with every aspect of their being at every moment. A true servant seeks a solution first through their own efforts, then by seeking help from creation; however, when all avenues are closed, they turn to their Lord, becoming non-existent in terms of action and begin to see only the act of God.
The Station of Spiritual Death and Annihilation (Fana)
One of the most central concepts in the work is “spiritual death.” This is the process by which a person first transcends creation, then their own will and desires, being resurrected through God’s grace. When one annihilates oneself from themselves and humankind, only God remains eternal, and the servant becomes the source of all blessings, joy, and security.
Al-Ghaylani cautions the believer against worldly attachments and its deceptive allure. He likens the world to something that appears pleasing on the outside but is filled with deadly poison within; a wise person should not be deceived by its outward appearance and should not allow it a place in their heart. Especially, cleansing the heart of love for possessions is essential for removing the veils between God and the servant.
The ego, meanwhile, is described as “the opponent and enemy of God.” The essence of worship is to oppose the ego; because submitting to the ego leads one astray from God’s path. A believer only attains true friendship and servitude by abandoning their ego’s desires and inclinations and adhering to God’s commands and His Book.
People are tested either with blessings or tribulations. Tribulations are means of elevating the servant’s degree, purifying them from errors, and keeping them in constant vigilance before God. The trial comes in proportion to the believer’s faith; as faith grows, so does the tribulation. In this regard, patience is like “the head in the body,” the foundation of faith. Avoiding complaint, accepting fate, and not questioning God’s decree are the keys to spiritual well-being.
The ultimate aim of Fütuhu’l Gayb is to elevate the servant to a level of an enlightened (arif) who embodies tawhid (oneness). An arif is one who desires nothing from anyone other than God, and sees no power or influence besides Him. By removing all created beings and causes and directing oneself solely to the grace of the Lord, the believer is included in “the company of the spirituals” and the doors of esoteric knowledge are opened to them. Al-Ghaylani’s teachings represent a timeless call that invites humanity to realize their own nothingness and to exist only with God.