His Name:
Junayd bin Muhammad bin Junayd Al-Khazzar Al-Qawariri.
His Title:
Al-Baghdadi.
His Kunya:
Abu Al-Qasim.
His Birth:
He was born in Baghdad.
His Origins:
He was from Nahavand, a town in the lands of the Persian mountains.
His Madhhab:
He studied the jurisprudence of Abu Thawr when he was twenty years old.
His Path:
He followed the Alia Qadiri path.
His Contemporaries:
He was a companion of Sirri Al-Saqti (his maternal uncle) and Al-Harith Al-Muhasibi.
His Residence:
He resided in Baghdad.
His Life:
From a young age, Sheikh Al-Junaid Al-Baghdadi was known for his deep understanding and sharp intuition. He was distinguished by his sharp mind and high talents in knowledge and learning. In his childhood, his spiritual nature and love for knowledge were evident. When he saw his father crying because he had refused to give charity sent to his maternal uncle Sirri Al-Saqti, he said, “Give it to me, I will deliver it to him,” and he went to deliver the charity to his uncle, creating a great spiritual moment between them. This event was the starting point for his learning of spiritual conduct and acquiring knowledge from the great men of his time.
Al-Junaid grew up in a family rich in knowledge and piety, continuing to acquire knowledge until he became one of the great figures of Sufism in his time. A notable aspect of his distinction was that he began speaking about spiritual knowledge and wisdom from a young age. His uncle, Sirri Al-Saqti, would discuss knowledge with him while he was still young, and once asked him about the meaning of gratitude. Al-Junaid responded with rare wisdom: “Gratitude is not to seek Allah’s blessings in His disobedience.”
His Miracles:
Sheikh Al-Junaid had many well-known miracles, which earned him a high status in the hearts of people. One of the most famous miracles occurred when he was speaking in his gathering. A Christian boy disguised himself and asked about the meaning of the Prophet’s ﷺ hadith: “Beware of the intuition of the believer, for he sees with the light of Allah.” Al-Junaid confidently replied, “Convert to Islam, for the time for your conversion has come.” Immediately, the boy converted to Islam, and this is considered two miracles in one: first, his insight into the boy’s disbelief, and second, his immediate conversion to Islam.
Another of Sheikh Al-Junaid’s famous miracles occurred when Satan appeared to him in the form of a servant to work for him without reward. Sheikh Al-Junaid gave him a profound spiritual lesson. After ten years of service, Satan asked to leave because he could not find any moment of negligence in Sheikh Al-Junaid’s heart. Al-Junaid responded, “I recognized you from the beginning, and you will receive no reward for your deeds in the afterlife.” Then Satan left, defeated after the truth was revealed to him.
His Sayings:
- “Sufism is the soothing of hearts and the adornment of thoughts with the cloaks of loyalty, cultivating generosity and joy in meetings.”
- “Gratitude is not to seek Allah’s blessings in His disobedience.”
- “The seeker has no period, the knower has no knowledge, and knowledge has no connection.”
His Passing:
Sheikh Al-Junaid Al-Baghdadi passed away in the year 297 AH. He died at the age of 87, and was buried in a place near the grave of the great Imam. His grave is still visited to this day.
Summary:
Sheikh Al-Junaid Al-Baghdadi is considered one of the greatest figures in the history of Islamic Sufism, combining Sharia knowledge with the truths of Sufism. His life was devoted to seeking the truth and drawing closer to Allah. His sayings and miracles continue to inspire future generations. His legacy in the spiritual and religious realm remains deeply influential in Islamic Sufism.