Abd Al-Rahman Al-Kayyali
Encyclopedia
His holiness Qutb-ul Aqtaab Naqib Al Ashraaf Syed Abd ar-Rahman al-Qadri al Gillani (1841–1927) was the first Prime Minister
of Iraq, and its head of state. He is 15th direct descendant of Abdul Qadir Jilani, the Cardinal Sufi Saint in Sufi Islam
. Al Gillani was chosen in 1920 to head the Iraqi Council of Ministers following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire
. He used his influence to oppose the appointment of Faisal I as King of Iraq and resigned his post when his efforts were defeated. Nevertheless, Faisal reappointed him as prime minister in order to curb opposition.
In 1922 Gillani negotiated the first Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
, which ensured nominal independence for the country, though Britain maintained control of the military and foreign affairs, essentially establishing a Mandate
in the country. Opposed to these results, Gillani resigned shortly after.
Sir Percy Cox states in page 128 of the HAND BOOK OF MESOPOTAMIA that he was the most influential "Sunni" and official head of the Arab Community. He continues, "It is worthy of note that extreme deference is paid to the Naqeeb of Baghdad and his family by many of the most influential and wealthy as well as the humble and poorest, of Indian and Afghan Muslims".
When chosen by the British to head the government, it was felt doubtful that he would accept, in view of his old age, ill health and habitual seclusion, and a statement in an interview declaring his reluctance to take part in political activities, even if it would save IRAQ from disaster. The British Administration, however, persuaded him to accept. This is portrayed by Gertrude Bell
, who writes:
Despite the formation of the Council of Ministers, the question as to the form of permanent Government and of the person of its ruler was constantly under discussion in the Coffee houses, in the tents of the Sheikhs, or wherever Iraqis met in social and political gatherings.
It is reported that the throne was offered to the Naqeeb of Baghdad, but under such conditions and limitations as would have made him, in his own words no more than an "Iraqi Raja
h". He himself never sought it and felt that if it had been freely offered to him by the people he would be obliged to accept the honor and the duties (Ireland, p. 304).
During another interview with Bell, replying to a question regarding his or one of his sons' candidatures for Sharaf or Emir of Mesopotamia, he said,
He was asked again, "If for political reasons it were necessary to put an Emir at the head of IRAQ would you accept the responsibility with British help and support"? He said,
He was a scholar, and his personal Library consists of thirty six thousand books on various subjects. Of these, about two thousand were manuscripts. The Present Makteba Qadiria (Qadri Library) is in fact, the altered name of his personal library. A 700-year-old copy of the Quran written in gold was, after his death, presented to the King Idris of Libya, by Pir Ibrahim Saif-ud-din, who became Naqeeb after the son of Syed Abd al-Rahman passed. "Tarikh Ahwarat IRAQIA" by Abdul Razak Al Hassani states that he was well known for his exemplary piety and charity, and as a great Alim (Scholar) who loved books and had acquired abundant knowledge. He was also a man devoted to prayer and considered to be a great Wali (Saint) of his time. He had millions of Murid
s (Disciples) and devotees.
Among his well renowned grandsons are H.E. Pir Sayed Tahir Allauddin
, the Shaykh of internationally renowned Sunni Muslim scholar Shaykh al Islam Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri
and H.E. Sayed Ahmed Zafar al-Jilani, the elder brother of H.E. Pir Sayed Tahir Allauddin
and the current Naqeeb of Iraq, who blessed Shaykh Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin
in 2007, Deputy of Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi, and advised him to work uplift relations between Westerners and Muslims, Arabs, and the people of Iraq
.
In the book shown in http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38, the detail report on Middle East Conference, Correspondence between His Holiness Qutb-ul Aqtaab Naqib Al Ashraaf Syed Abd ar-Rahman al-Qadri al Gillani and Sir Winston Churchill was shown
in http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=383, telegraph from High commissioner of Iraq in 1921 http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=384, Letters to and from Prime Minister of Iraq and Mr. Churchill regarding Middle East affairs http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=385, some pictures are also shown about the visit of His Holiness first Prime Minister of Iraq http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=386
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Iraq, and its head of state. He is 15th direct descendant of Abdul Qadir Jilani, the Cardinal Sufi Saint in Sufi Islam
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
. Al Gillani was chosen in 1920 to head the Iraqi Council of Ministers following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. He used his influence to oppose the appointment of Faisal I as King of Iraq and resigned his post when his efforts were defeated. Nevertheless, Faisal reappointed him as prime minister in order to curb opposition.
In 1922 Gillani negotiated the first Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1921 was an agreement signed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the government of Iraq. The treaty was designed to allow locals a limited share in power while allowing the British to control foreign and military policy...
, which ensured nominal independence for the country, though Britain maintained control of the military and foreign affairs, essentially establishing a Mandate
League of Nations mandate
A League of Nations mandate was a legal status for certain territories transferred from the control of one country to another following World War I, or the legal instruments that contained the internationally agreed-upon terms for administering the territory on behalf of the League...
in the country. Opposed to these results, Gillani resigned shortly after.
Sir Percy Cox states in page 128 of the HAND BOOK OF MESOPOTAMIA that he was the most influential "Sunni" and official head of the Arab Community. He continues, "It is worthy of note that extreme deference is paid to the Naqeeb of Baghdad and his family by many of the most influential and wealthy as well as the humble and poorest, of Indian and Afghan Muslims".
When chosen by the British to head the government, it was felt doubtful that he would accept, in view of his old age, ill health and habitual seclusion, and a statement in an interview declaring his reluctance to take part in political activities, even if it would save IRAQ from disaster. The British Administration, however, persuaded him to accept. This is portrayed by Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, CBE was an English writer, traveller, political officer, administrator, and archaeologist who explored, mapped, and became highly influential to British imperial policy-making due to her extensive travels in Greater Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Arabia. Along...
, who writes:
In came Mr. Philby and others and on top of them Sir Percy. Every one but Mr. Philby melted away, and we two turned to Sir Percy breathless with excitement. ‘Well he said, he has accepted’. He had come straight from the Naqeeb who had agreed to undertake the formation of the Provisional Government. So the first success is scored and not one but Sir Percy could have done it. Indeed, that even he should have inducted the Naqeeb to take a hand in Public affairs is nothing short of a miracle
Despite the formation of the Council of Ministers, the question as to the form of permanent Government and of the person of its ruler was constantly under discussion in the Coffee houses, in the tents of the Sheikhs, or wherever Iraqis met in social and political gatherings.
It is reported that the throne was offered to the Naqeeb of Baghdad, but under such conditions and limitations as would have made him, in his own words no more than an "Iraqi Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
h". He himself never sought it and felt that if it had been freely offered to him by the people he would be obliged to accept the honor and the duties (Ireland, p. 304).
During another interview with Bell, replying to a question regarding his or one of his sons' candidatures for Sharaf or Emir of Mesopotamia, he said,
"I am a relative of the Sharaf. I come of the same stock and I share the same religious opinion, you therefore understand that I am not actuated by difference of blood, of thought when I tell you that I would never consent to the appointment of myself or of my sons as Emir. The Hejaz is one and IRAQ is one. There is no connection between them out that of faith. Our politics, out trade, our agriculture is all different from those of Hejaz. The Hejaz is the Holy Land of Islam. It must remain a separate and independent state by which all Muslims can profit".
He was asked again, "If for political reasons it were necessary to put an Emir at the head of IRAQ would you accept the responsibility with British help and support"? He said,
"Can you put a question as that to me? I am a Darwesh, concern is not with the things of this world. It would be contrary to the deepest principles of my creed to become the political head of the state. In the time of my ancestor, Syed Abdul Qadir al Gillani, the AbbasidAbbasidThe Abbasid Caliphate or, more simply, the Abbasids , was the third of the Islamic caliphates. It was ruled by the Abbasid dynasty of caliphs, who built their capital in Baghdad after overthrowing the Umayyad caliphate from all but the al-Andalus region....
Caliphs were accustomed to consult him as you and your colleagues consult me, but he would never have consented to take an active part in public affairs. Neither would I, nor any of his descendants consent to do so. This is my answer on the ground of religion, but I will give you also an answer, based on personal reason I am an old man. These five or six years of life, which remain to me, I wish to spend in reflection and study. When you came to day, I kept you waiting. I was busy with my books. They are my constant preoccupation".
He was a scholar, and his personal Library consists of thirty six thousand books on various subjects. Of these, about two thousand were manuscripts. The Present Makteba Qadiria (Qadri Library) is in fact, the altered name of his personal library. A 700-year-old copy of the Quran written in gold was, after his death, presented to the King Idris of Libya, by Pir Ibrahim Saif-ud-din, who became Naqeeb after the son of Syed Abd al-Rahman passed. "Tarikh Ahwarat IRAQIA" by Abdul Razak Al Hassani states that he was well known for his exemplary piety and charity, and as a great Alim (Scholar) who loved books and had acquired abundant knowledge. He was also a man devoted to prayer and considered to be a great Wali (Saint) of his time. He had millions of Murid
Murid
Murid is a Sufi term meaning 'committed one' from the root meaning "willpower" or "self-esteem". It refers to a person who is committed to a Murshid in a Tariqa of Sufism. Also known as a Salik , a murid is an initiate into the mystic philosophy of Sufism. When the Talib makes a pledge to a...
s (Disciples) and devotees.
Among his well renowned grandsons are H.E. Pir Sayed Tahir Allauddin
Tahir Allauddin
Al-Syed Tahir Allauddin AlGillani was a Sufi Saint who lived in the 20th century. He was considered the head of Silsilah e Qadiriah, Custodian of the Shrine of Ghous-e-Azam Abdul-Qadir Gillani, the Spiritual Guide of over 10 Million Disciples from across the world and thought to be a reformer of...
, the Shaykh of internationally renowned Sunni Muslim scholar Shaykh al Islam Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri
Tahir-ul-Qadri
Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri is a Pakistani Sufi scholar and former professor of international constitutional law at the University of the Punjab....
and H.E. Sayed Ahmed Zafar al-Jilani, the elder brother of H.E. Pir Sayed Tahir Allauddin
Tahir Allauddin
Al-Syed Tahir Allauddin AlGillani was a Sufi Saint who lived in the 20th century. He was considered the head of Silsilah e Qadiriah, Custodian of the Shrine of Ghous-e-Azam Abdul-Qadir Gillani, the Spiritual Guide of over 10 Million Disciples from across the world and thought to be a reformer of...
and the current Naqeeb of Iraq, who blessed Shaykh Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin
Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin
Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin is a Deputy-Shaykh of the Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari school authorized by Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi; the second most influential Muslim in the world according to a 2009 Reuters online poll of over 1.8 million voters. Amiruddin is the Founder of and...
in 2007, Deputy of Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi, and advised him to work uplift relations between Westerners and Muslims, Arabs, and the people of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
In the book shown in http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38, the detail report on Middle East Conference, Correspondence between His Holiness Qutb-ul Aqtaab Naqib Al Ashraaf Syed Abd ar-Rahman al-Qadri al Gillani and Sir Winston Churchill was shown
in http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=383, telegraph from High commissioner of Iraq in 1921 http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=384, Letters to and from Prime Minister of Iraq and Mr. Churchill regarding Middle East affairs http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=385, some pictures are also shown about the visit of His Holiness first Prime Minister of Iraq http://www.algillani.com/index.php?bid=38&read=1&txtid=386