SHAYKH-E-TARIQAT, AMEER-E-AHL-E-SUNNAT, FOUNDER OF DAWAT-E-ISLAMI. ALLAMA MAULANA ABU BILAL MUHAMMAD ILYAS ATTAR QADIRI RAZAVI This brief biography highlights the life and works of an exemplary spiritual guide and phenomenal leader. One who has moved and motivated the hearts and mind of people towards righteousness and virtuous deeds.

Moreover, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ has been gifted with noble character. He greets everyone with great cheer and grace. Be he from any religion, caste, color, sect or creed! In situations where others would react with anger; lose their temper and show impatient behavior, at such situations Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ has been seen to be tolerating, patient and smiling. Furthermore, humbleness of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ is an exemplary virtue. For him there is no difference between associates and admirers. Travelling on the path of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ in Madani Qafilah, it is usually observed that he prefers to let other participants of the Qafilah seated first on the bus. If there remains no seat empty, he would feel pleasure to sit on the floor. Such humility by this great Islamic scholar not only wins the hearts of Islamic brothers but also earn him good recognition all around the globe.

Once during a trip to Makkah and Madinah in 1423 A.H, when taking tea, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ would often squeeze the tea bag after it had been dipped into the hot water. Then he would add milk and sugar. Other people would throw the tea bag away without squeezing it. Maulana Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ was once asked by someone about discarding of the teabag before adding milk and sugar in hot water. He replied, “I felt that some particles of sugar and drops of milk would be inevitably retained by the teabag, therefore I squeezed the teabag in hot water so that nothing wholesome would be wasted”

Maulana Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ wears a long shirt (Kurta) with two pockets attached on the chest. A small pocket sewn next to the left pocket is used for carrying the Miswak (Tooth-stick). Emphasizing its importance he stated, “The Miswak is an instrument used to fulfill one Sunnah, therefore, I wish to keep it closest to my heart.”

In this modern world where almost all and sundry is busy in the ostentation of their materialistic things. Like displaying of wealth; property; vehicles and showing off their expensive things. On the contrary Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadriدَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ is living a life of simplicity and humbleness. He has no affection towards worldly affairs. Neither is he inclined towards the materialistic beauty of this world. He uses earthen utensils for his eating and drinking purpose. Skin of animals is used by him for sitting to adopt humbleness. Moreover simplicity in wearing, eating and speaking are few of his noblest attributes. Acting on the commandments of Holy Quran and sacred Sunnah of the beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ has been leading his life of piety. Besides, Simplicity, Truthfulness; honesty and humbleness are some of the great attributes of this great Islamic leader. He leaves no stone unturned in practicing the commandments of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and Sunnah of the noblest prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. Practically speaking the simplicity in dress he wears on; the utensils he uses for eating and drinking; the words of love and gentleness he speaks; the instructions he delivers; the Islamic lessons he teaches; the humbleness he adopts are some of his characters which cannot be paralleled by any other man of the present world.

With the intention to act upon the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ sometime sleeps without using any mat or cloth sheet (Chadar) and sometimes uses mat made up of palm leaves to sleep on. Interestingly one would surprise that Maulana Ilyas Qadri دَامَت بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ has no bed or mattress in his home. Although when he is guest at someone’s house, he sleeps on the bed, cot or whatever is provided to sleep on just with the intention to follow the Sunnah of the prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ.