Titles and Honors:
- Pole of the Age in the Worlds
- Manifestation of the Secrets of the Merciful Gracious Openings
- Leader of the Imams of the Time
- Master of the Two Groups
- Tongue of the People and the Gnostics
- Reference of Scholars and the Pious
- Sultan of Ascetics and Those of Certainty
Name and Lineage:
Full Name: Junayd ibn Muhammad ibn al-Junayd al-Khirraz al-Qawariri
Title: al-Baghdadi
Kunya: Abu al-Qasim
Birthplace: Baghdad
Origin: Nahavand, a town in the mountainous region of Iran
Madhhab: Studied jurisprudence according to the school of Abu Thawr at age twenty
Spiritual Path:
Path: The Alia Path
Contemporaries: Al-Sari al-Saqati (his maternal uncle), Al-Harith al-Muhasibi
Residence: Baghdad
Life and Early Talents:
From childhood he displayed understanding, insight, sharp intellect, and knowledge. One day he returned from the orchard and saw his father crying. When asked why, his father explained that he had sent a portion of zakat to his maternal uncle al-Sari, but it was returned. He feared his life’s efforts had amounted to nothing, which he felt was unsuitable for the friends of God.
Junayd asked to deliver it himself and successfully delivered the zakat to al-Sari. After a brief dialogue emphasizing God’s grace and justice, al-Sari accepted the zakat, and Junayd sat with him. He later accompanied al-Sari for Hajj at the age of seven.
Scribes preserved his gatherings for his words, philosophers admired the precision of his speech, poets praised his eloquence, and theologians revered the depth of his meanings. From an early age he expressed profound knowledge and wisdom. When asked by his uncle about gratitude while playing with children, he replied that gratitude is not using God’s blessings for disobedience.
Miracles:
He was known for miracles. Once while speaking to people, a Christian boy in disguise asked about the meaning of the Prophet’s ﷺ saying: “Fear the discernment of the believer for he sees by the light of God” (Tirmidhi). Junayd paused and then informed him that it was time for him to embrace Islam. The boy accepted Islam immediately. This event demonstrates two miracles: Junayd perceiving the boy’s disbelief and foreseeing his immediate conversion.
It is also narrated that Iblis once appeared to him as a servant, offering to serve without pay. Junayd allowed him to serve for ten years, but Iblis could not distract him from God. When Iblis revealed his identity, Junayd reminded him that his service was a punishment, not rewarded in the Hereafter.
Passing:
Sheikh al-Junayd passed away in 297 AH, attaining the knowledge of witnessing and truth. His shrine is located on the western side of Baghdad and remains visible to visitors.
Sources:
- Ibn al-Mulaqqin – Tabaqat al-Awliya – p 126
- Tadhkirat al-Awliya – Murtada ibn Muhammad al-Nazmi al-Baghdadi – pp 173-176
- Abd al-Ra’uf al-Munawi – al-Kawakib al-Durriyya vol 1 pp 213-217
