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Gilani (or Jilani/Kilani in Arabic for linguistic reasons) is a common Muslim family name. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Arabic redirects here. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ...

Origin

The name denotes descent from Gilan, one of the thirty provinces of Iran, see Guilak. Gilan (Persian: گیلان, locally known as Guilan) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran, known during ancient times as part of Hyrcania, with a population of approximately 2 million and an area of 14,700 sq. ... It has been suggested that Gilek be merged into this article or section. ...

Beginning of Gilanis

Syed Abdul Qadir was born in Jilan/Kilan or Gilan. This town was in suburbs of Tibiristan (Iran). The other name of this town was Jeel or Geel and by these connections, Syed Abdul Qadir is called Gilani or Jilani/Kilani.

After coming and settling at Baghdad, common people made “Gilani/Jilani/Kilani” as part of his name and now descendants of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani/Jilani/Kilani all over the world called them selves “Gilani/Jilani/Kilani” with pride and delight.

Gilanis are Najib-ut-Taraffain (Nobles on both sides that are to say, from father & mother) Syeds.

His father Abu Saleh Musa Jangi was from Hassani Lineage and his mother Syeda Fatima (Her Title was Umat-ul-Jabbar and Kuniyyat was Um-ul-Khair) was from Hussaini Family.

According to a most authentic book about Syed Abdul Qadir “Peeran-e-Peer” paternal lineage of Ghaus-ul-Azam is as under.

Syed Abu Saleh Musa Jangi S/o Syed Abdullah S/o Syed Yahya Zahid S/o Syed Muhammad S/o Syed Daud S/o Syed Musa Sani S/o Syed Abdullah Sani S/o Syed Musa Al Jaun alias Syed Musa Salas S/o Syed Abdullah Al Mehaz S/o Syed Hassan Musanna S/o Syed Imam Hassan S/o Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajho.

Maternal lineage of Ghaus-ul-Azam is as under.

Syeda Fatima Umm Al-Khair D/o Syed Abu Abdullah Soumai S/o Syed Abu Jamaluddin Muhammad S/o Syed Abu Mehmood Tahir S/o Syed Abu Al-Atta Abdullah S/o Syed Abu Al-kamal Issa Roomi Akbar S/o Syed Abu Allauddin Muhammad Al Jawwad S/o Imam Ali Raza S/o Imam Musa Kazim S/o Imam Jaffar Sadiq S/o Imam Muhammad Baqar S/o Imam Zain ul-Abideen Ali S/o Imam Abu Abdullah Hussain S/o Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajho.

Note:

There are only twelve descendants/generations between Syeda Umm Al-Khair Fatima (Mother of Syedna Ghous ul-Azam) and Imam Ali ul-Murtaza. No controversy is existed in any Shajrah up to Syed Abu Allauddin Muhammad Al-Jawwad S/o Imam Ali Raza but after this different writers have included so many names as ancestors of Syeda Fatima.

But the above-mentioned Shajrah has been confirmed from FOUR authenticated sources including TAREEKH-E-UCH SHARIF (by Allama Deen Muhammad Abbasi) Shaikh Abdul Rehman Jaami and ancient records of descendants of Syed Ghous Bala Peer Gilani & Syed Abdul Razzaq Shah Chragh Gilani Lahori, residents of Deepalpur, Satghara and Sahiwal.

So this Shajrah is much authenticated according to our best available sources.

There are some differences in respect of number of wives and children of Ghaus-ul-Azam Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani.

It is said that He was not interested in marriage and for a long time he avoided it but once Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa P.B.U.H ordered him to get married and four women became wives of Ghaus-ul-Azam.

1) Bibi Madina Gilani D/o Meer Muhammad Masjidi

2) Bibi Sadiqa Gilani D/o Muhammad Shafi

3) Bibi Momina Gilani

4) Bibi Mehbooba Gilani

They were mothers of 26 or 27 sons and 22 daughters.

Shaikh Syedna Abdul Razzaq r.a. [a son of] Ghaus al-A'zam r.a. states: “My father had forty-nine children in all, of which twenty-seven were boys and twenty-two were girls.”

The names of 22 daughters of Ghaus-ul-Azam are as under.

Syeda Afia Gilani, Syeda Yaseen Gilani, Syeda Aleema Gilani, Syeda Taj Gilani, Syeda Zahida Gilani, Syeda Zakirah Gilani, Syeda Um-Al Fazal Gilani, Syeda Sharifa Gilani, Syeda Abida Gilani, Syeda Khadeejah Gilani, Syeda Riji Gilani, Syeda Um-Al Fateh Gilani, Syeda Zahra Gilani, Syeda Jamal Gilani, Syed Khair-un-Nisa Gilani, Syeda Shah Khatim Gilani, Syeda Shah Bibi Gilani, Syeda Fakira Gilani, Syeda Fatima Gilani, Syeda Um-e-Salma Gilani, Syeda Fazal-un-Nisa Gilani and Syeda Taj-un-Nisa Gilani.

Out of above mentioned, no one except Syeda Khair-un-Nisa Gilani reached her prime age or got married. Only she was married to Syed Shahab-ud-Deen S/o Abu Ahmed Abdullah S/o Syed Abu Saleh Musa Jangi Dost but stays childless.

Out of 27, names of only 13 sons have been recorded, which are as under.

Syed Saif-ud-Deen Abdul Wahab Gilani, Syed Sharf-ud-Deen Essa Gilani, Syed Abu Abdul Rehman Abdullah Gilani, Syed Shams-ud-Deen Abdul Aziz Gilani, Syed Taj-ud-Deen Abdul Razzaq Gilani, Syed Abu Al Fazal Muhammad Gilani, Syed Abu Zakirah Yahya Asghar Gilani, Syed Abu Ishaque Ibraheem Gilani, Syed Abu Nasser Musa Gilani, Syed Abu Bakar , Syed Abdul Jabbar Gilani, Syed Abdul Ghaffar Gilani and Syed Abdul Ghani Gilani.

All Gilanis are descendants of above-mentioned 13 (or 27) sons of Ghaus-ul-Azam Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani.

Gilanis Migrated from Baghdad

According to some authentic histories seven sons of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani decided to stay in Baghdad. Those were Syed Saif-ud-Deen Abdul Wahab Gilani, Syed Abdul Jabbar Gilani, Syed Taj-ud-Deen Abdul Razzaq Gilani, Syed Muhammad Gilani, Syed Abdullah Gilani, Syed Yahya Gilani and Syed Abdul Rehman Gilani. They all were buried at Baghdad.

But when “Shias” took control of Baghdad, their descendants were compelled to leave their native city. After some time when situation become normal, some members of Syed Abdul Razzaq Gilani’s family returned to Baghdad for permanent residence. Out of them Syed Abdul Rehman Faiz Allah Gilani, Syed Abdul Aziz Gilani, Syed Ali Al-Kabeer Gilani, Syed Mahmood Gilani, Syed Mohammad Gilani (Naqeeb-ul-Ashraaf) and Syed Rasheed Ali Gilani (Ex Prime Minister of Iraq) were prominent.

Other than seven sons of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, mentioned above, Syed Sharf-ud-Deen Essa Gilani migrated to Egypt, Syed Abdul Aziz Gilani, Jabbal (Kurdistan), Syed Abu Ishaque Ibraheem Gilani, Wasta and Syed Musa Gilani migrated to Syria/Lebanon/Palestine.

Some sons of Ghaus-ul-Azam were died before prime age.

Gilanis in Pakistan

There is very much difference of opinion, that which was the first Gilani Syed, who came to that area, now called Pakistan and India but this is a solid fact that Gilanis not came in a row or in shape of a caravan to these areas in some specific period. They came separately, at time to time, individually or with families or their Mureeds and these arrivals are continue till day.

Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Lahori, author of “Khazeena-tul-Asfia” has written that Syed Abdal Gilani S/o Syed Nasser Gilani (father of renowned Sufi, Syed Ismaeel Gilani) was first Gilani Syed, who came to Hindustan around 1400 A.D (802 H).

But unfortunately this is not correct.

According to most reliable sources, arrival of some renowned Gilani Syeds is as under.

1) Syed Abdul Raheem Gilani S/o Syed Abdul Wahab Gilani S/o Ghaus-ul-Azam Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani was first Gilani Syed who came to this area for permanent residence. His marriage was took place with Jamila Khatoon, elder sister of Baba Fareed Ganj Shaker, at Khatwaal, Multan (native town of Baba Fareed Ganj Shaker) but some others said that marriage was took place earlier and he came from Baghdad along with his wife. This is definite that their son Syed Alla-ud-Deen Gilani alias Syed Sabir Gilani, who was greatest Saint of his time, was born at Khatwaal in 1195 A.D (19th Rabi-ul-Awwal 592 H). Historians have mentioned 1187 A.D (596 H) to 1194 A.D (592 H) as period of his migration to Hindustan.

2) One of the ancestors of Syed Abdul Hakeem Gilani, named Syed Yaqoob Gilani came Hindustan from Iran in 1421 A.D (824H) during regime of Irani Badshah Abu Al-Fateh Mubarak Shah. He permanently settled at Multan.

3) Syed Muhammad Ghous Gilani S/o Syed Shams-ud-Deen Gilani S/o Syed Shah Meer Baghdadi came from Halab (Syria) to Uch in 1482 A.D (887 H).

4) Historians have mentioned Syed Shah Feroz Gilani as oldest Gilani who came to Lahore from Baghdad. He died here in 1536 A.D (933 H).

5) Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani S/o Syed Jamal-ud-Deen Gilani came from Baghdad. He went to village Moodi (Distt Amritsar) then Patna, Hindustan but he selected Lahore for his permanent residence. He died here in 1535 A.D (942 H).

6) Syed Abi Al-Hayat S/o Syed Taj-ud-Deen Mehmood Gilani (father of Syed Qumais-ud-Deen Gilani Sadhori) migrated from Baghdad around 1580 A.D (988 H). He resided in Bengal for some time but then permanently settled in Sadhoora (Khizarabad) District Anbala, Punjab.

7) Syed Abdullah Gilani Teehi came Hindustan in 1613 A.D (1021 H) by the order of Allah. He was only 15 at that time. Syed Abdullah Gilani selected a small village named Taaha near Delhi. With reference of this village he is called as Syed Abdullah Gilani Teehi. Some has mentioned the name of village; Bohat and they called him Syed Abdullah Gilani Bohti.

8) Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani came to Iran from Gilan. After some stay, he went to Qandhaar (Afghanistan) in 1640 A.D (1051 H). Nawab Ali Mardan Khan was the ruler of Qandhaar at that time. He honored him and when he transferred to Lahore, Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani was also with him. Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani died at Lahore in 1655 A.D (1066 H).

9) Syed Mehmood Gilani, an ancestor of Syed Abdullah Gilani alias Syed Abdullah Shah Sahabi (forefather of Gilanis of Kashmir and Hazara etc) left Baghdad and settled at Thatta (Sindh). Year of his migration is not known.

10) Ancestors of Syed Ahmed Sheikh-ul-Hind Gilani S/o Syed Abdul Razzaq Gilani S/o Syed Taj-ul-Arfeen came from Arab and settled near Wazirabad (Punjab). They also found a village named Kotlah near Wazirabad.

11) Ghaus-e-Dauran Syed Tahir Allauddin Al-Gilani came from Baghdad in 1955 and selected Quetta for his residence. He died at 7th June 1991 (23 Ziqaadah 1411 H) in Germany but buried at Lahore.

These are only few examples of migrations of Gilani/Jilani/Kilani or their Families to Pakistan and Hindustan. This is a solid reality that Gilani Syeds have played a vital and imperative role in preaching Islam not only in Pakistan, Hindustan and Bengal but also in Iran, Afghanistan, (now) Russian States and neighboring areas.

It is also a historical fact that no District of above-mentioned areas is without shrines honouring Gilani. Numerous exclusive towns and villages of Gilani Syeds are also existed in different parts of Sub Continent.

So this can be stated that, Gilani Syeds are a powerful and strong clan not only in Arab world but also in other parts of Asia, particularly in Pakistan.

Down the line during their migration from Gilan, some Gilanis adopted Hinduism as their religion. Some Hindu Gilanis can also be found in India.

www.gilani.com.pk

Geographical distribution

The Gilani/Jilani/Kilani family name is found in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, and countries of the Indian subcontinent including Pakistan. Alkeilani (Arabic: الكيلاني ) family is another name for Gilani family. Other variations Include Kilani which is mainly popular among the family members who live in the Lebanon/Syria/Palestine/Jordan area of whome which are mostly all related to each other Map of South Asia (see note) This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia. ... Arabic redirects here. ...

Some people named Gilani/Jilani/Kilani

• Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani (rahm.), a well-known Sufi Sheikh and founder of the Qadiriyyah Sufi order.
• Ravi Gilani - A well respected Management Consultant in India
• Rakesh Gilani - CEO of Direct Fulfillment Systems - USA
• Hamid Raza Gilani, a well-known politician from Multan, Pakistan
• Kamran Gilani, Student at the University of Toronto (st george's campus)
• Rozina Gilani, Student at the Pennsylvania State University (University Park campus)
• Ali Gilani, student and varsity fencer(Épée) at McGill University in Montreal.
• In the US, Saad Gilani, an investment banker with Yorkville Advisors*
• In South Asia, Benjamin Gilani, a noted theatre and television actor*
• A South Asian Islamic scholar, Maulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani
• Mubarak Ali Gilani, Sufi Cleric , Naqib al Ashraf and alleged founder of Jamaat ul-Fuqra
• Zahed Gilani, Sufi mystic
• Sarmad Gilani, Islamic scholar and McMaster Student Council President
• Syed Iftikhar Hussain Gilani, Former Federal Law Minister, Pakistan in 1990, belong to Jungle Khel Kohat, Pakistan
• Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, Vice Chancellor (Current) NWFP Engineering University Peshawar, belong to Jungle Khel Kohat.
• Syed Khalid Hussain Gilani, Current NWFP Agricultural Secretary, belong to Jungle Khel Kohat
• Syed Musaddiq Hussain Gilani, Session Judge Current Registrat Peshawar Courts, Peshawar
• Shane Gilani, Persian-American geographer
• Syed Nasir Ahmad Gilani, born on September 20, 1983 at Samnabad, Lahore. Presently working as Audit Assistant at KPMG in Frankfurt, Germany.
• Syed Ali Gilani, prominent political leader in Jammu and Kashmir
• Syed Munir Hussain Gilani
• Syed Zan Gilani
• Syed Iftikhar Gilani, prominent Indian journalist and author
• Syeda Maryam Ahmad Gilani, born on 26th of March 1989, in Frankfurt, Germany. Student of International Finance at the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt.
• Kilani Family of Beirut Lebanon who now reside in Alberta Canada

[1] Sheikh Muhyiddeen Abdul Qadir Gilani , Abdul Qadir al-Gilani , Abdul Qadir el-Gilani or Moulay Abdelkader Jilali (in Maghreb countries (Arabic: عبد القادر الجيلانى ); (1077 – 1166 CE) was a mystic scholar and saint of Islam. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... Qadiriyyah (Arabic: القادريه) (also transliterated Qadiri), is one of the oldest Sufi tariqas, derives its name from Abdul Qadir Jilani (also transliterated as Gilani) (1077-1166), a native of the Iranian province of Gilan. ... Hamid Raza Gilani received his early education at Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan. ... Benjamin Gilani is a noted Indian actor and thespian. ... Serge Sudeikins poster for the Bat Theatre (1922). ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Mubarak Ali Shah Gilani is a Pakistani Sufi cleric,[1] and the founder of Jamaat ul-Fuqra. ... Jamaat ul-Fuqra (alternatively Jamaat al-Fuqra) (Arabic: جماعة الفقراء, Community of the Impoverished) is a terrorist organization and cult based in Pakistan and the United States. ... The mystic Taj Al-Din Ebrahim Al-Kordi Al-Sanjani* (1216 - 1301), titled Sheikh Zahed Gilani, was Grandmaster of the famed Zahediyeh Sufi Order at Lahijan. ...

External links

• A complete website regarding Ghaus ul Azam and Gilani Syeds.

Christopher Gilani

See also

Bukhari

• Taimur
• Abbasi
• Alavi
• Farooqi
• Gardezi
• Hashemi
• Osmani
• Quraishi
• Sayyid
• Shaikh
• Shaikh Siddiqui
• Siddiqui