Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani was born in Iran in AH 470 / 1077 CE. When he was eighteen, he moved to Iraq for his spiritual journey, ultimately settling in Baghdad after twenty-five years of semi-seclusion and continued worship.

In Baghdad, Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir first accompanied Shaikh Hammad ad-Dabbas. He later accompanied Shaikh Abu Sa'id al-Makhzumi (al-Mukharrami) (AH 513 / 1119 CE) and took the pledge of the Tariqa (Sufi way) from him. Shaikh Abu Sa'id had a school he used to teach in. Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir was put in charge of the school in AH 521 / 1127 CE, becoming its sole teacher. He lectured three days of the week. The number of those who attended his gatherings quickly increased until each sermon attracted thousands. He continued to teach in the school until he departed to the spirit world in AH 561 /1165 CE. Due to the spiritual status of the Shaikh, his continued blessings, and his tremendous following, his shrine, which is in his school, has become one of the most sacred and visited Islamic landmarks.

It is impossible to exaggerate the role of Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir in guiding Muslims and propagating Islam. The number of Sufi Tariqas whose chains of Shaikhs are traced back to him largely exceeds the Tariqas of any other Shaikh. Accordingly, the seekers of the Tariqa Qadiriyya outnumber the followers of any other Tariqa. Sufis in general, and Qadiris in particular, have played an exceptionally immense role in spreading Islam throughout Africa and Asia.