The book Bahjat-ul-Asrar wa Ma’dan-ul-Anwar , often referred to as Bahjatul Asrar, is widely regarded as the oldest and most authentic biography of the celebrated Sufi saint Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Ghaus-ul-Azam). Written by Imam Nur al-Din Abu'l-Hasan al-Shatnufi (d. 713 AH), a scholar who lived just two generations after the Shaykh, it serves as a primary source for his life, miracles (manaqib), and spiritual teachings. Accessing the English Translation
While originally written in Arabic, a comprehensive English translation titled " Sublime Secrets and Treasury of Lights " was published by Sufi Pages. Translator: Abu-Muhammad Abdul Hadi al-Qaadiri Radawi.
Format: A two-volume set containing approximately 1,009 pages.
Availability: You can find this English version at specialized retailers such as Islam786Books and Sufi Pages. Digital Versions (PDF & Apps)
Finding a full, free English PDF of the exact two-volume translation is difficult due to copyright, but several digital resources provide related content:
Scribd & Archive.org: These platforms host various versions, including the handwritten Arabic manuscript and the popular Urdu translation. Dawat-e-Islami : They offer a free English booklet titled " Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani: His Rank and Stature
" which draws heavily from classical sources like Bahjatul Asrar.
Mobile App: A "Bahjatul Asrar" app is available on the Google Play Store, containing compilations of Ghaus Azam's life in Urdu, Hindi, and Roman Urdu. Core Themes and Subjects
The book is not merely a chronological history but a deep dive into the esoteric dimensions of Islam. Key topics include:
Spiritual Struggle (Mujahadah): Detailed accounts of the Shaykh’s ascetic practices. bahjatul asrar english pdf
Divine Observance (Mukashafah): Narrations of his spiritual unveilings and miracles.
Ethics and Morals: Guidance on both human rights and divine rights from an Islamic perspective.
Chain of Transmission: The author meticulously terminates each narration with an authentic chain of transmission, similar to the methodology of Hadith scholars. Bahjat-ul-Israr (Urdu translation) Manaqib of Ghaus al-Azam
Bahjatul Asrar (The Joy of Secrets) is widely regarded as the oldest and most authentic biography of the "Ghawth al-A’zam," Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. For seekers looking for a "Bahjatul Asrar English PDF," the most prominent English version is titled Sublime Secrets and the Treasury of Lights, translated by Abu-Muhammad Abdul Hadi al-Qaadiri Radawi. Overview of Bahjatul Asrar
Authored by Imam Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Yusuf al-Shatnufi (d. 713 AH/1314 CE), this work is a foundational text in Sufi literature. Shatnufi, a Shafi’i jurist and master of Quranic recitations (Qirat) in Egypt, lived just two generations after Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, allowing him to gather narrations from those who personally knew the great saint. Key Contents of the English Translation
The English edition, published by Sufi Pages and Islam786Books, typically spans two volumes and approximately 1,000 pages. It covers:
The Life and Genealogy: Detailed accounts of the Shaykh’s noble birth and lineage.
Spiritual Miracles (Karamaat): A vast compilation of miraculous events attributed to Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, each supported by chains of transmission (isnad).
Divine Secrets: Insights into the Shaykh’s spiritual rank, his famous declaration ("My foot is on the neck of every saint"), and his teachings on Divine Love. Not a narrative story in the conventional sense
Authenticated Narrations: Unlike many hagiographies, Shatnufi applied rigorous standards to his sources, with some scholars comparing the book's legitimacy in Sufi biographies to that of Sahih al-Bukhari in Hadith literature. Where to Find the PDF and Physical Copies
While the full English translation is often a paid publication due to its extensive size, digital previews and related resources are available online:
Digital Archives: You can find various editions and related translations (primarily Urdu) on the Internet Archive and Scribd.
Direct Downloads: Some educational platforms like Google Drive and Dawat-e-Islami host PDFs of biographies based on Bahjatul Asrar.
Purchase: The complete two-volume set is available for purchase at retailers like Islam786Books. Academic and Spiritual Significance
For followers of the Qadiriyya Sufi Order, this book is not merely a biography but a manual of spiritual inspiration. It serves as a primary reference for understanding the "Sultan of Saints" and the spiritual hierarchy in Islamic mysticism.
Bahjatul Asrar : Imam Abul Hasan Shantufi - Internet Archive
Bahjatul Asrar : Imam Abul Hasan Shantufi : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. Internet Archive 2335-1.pdf - Dawateislami R. www.dawateislami.net. Dawat-e-Islami Bahjat-ul-Asrar by Imam Shatnofe | PDF - Scribd
Bahjat-ul-Asrar by Imam Shatnofe - Free download as PDF File (.pdf) or read online for free. Bahjat-ul-Asrar by Imam Shatnofe. Bahjatul Asrar English Pdf - Google Drive Bahjatul Asrar English Pdf - Google Drive. Google Docs Bahjat al-Asrar, Sublime Secrets: 2 Vols, English - £54.99 Where you might find an English version:
However, I can summarize the core story and themes of Bahjatul Asrar (meaning "The Delight of Secrets"):
sirr).Where you might find an English version:
If you are looking for a specific incident or parable from the book (e.g., the story of a seeker or a miracle), please provide more detail, and I can search based on that episode. Alternatively, if you need help finding a legitimate copy, I can guide you on search terms for academic or library databases.
While a perfect, public-domain Bahjatul Asrar English PDF does not yet exist freely online, here are the most authoritative alternatives:
| Resource Type | Availability | Quality | Recommendation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Full Arabic PDF | Free (Archive.org) | High | For scholars & Arabic students. | | Partial English Trans. (Ch. 1-5) | Paid (e.g., Nur Al-Iman Publishing) | Good | Best for serious students. | | Summaries/Explanations | Free (Blogs/YouTube) | Moderate | Good for overview, not deep study. | | Academic Theses quoting the book | Free (ProQuest/Academia) | Variable | Useful for critical analysis. |
Alert: Be wary of websites promising a "free full PDF" via a link shortener. Many contain malware or outdated, garbled texts. Always check the file size (a full book is 5-10 MB; a fake is 200 KB).
Unlike many books that discuss patience after a tragedy, Al-Qari discusses patience during the calamity. He calls this "the station of the truthful."
Before you download a "bahjatul asrar english pdf" from a random Telegram channel or file-sharing site, consider Islamic ethics regarding knowledge.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "He who cheats us is not one of us." (Sahih Muslim). If a translator spent years rendering Al-Qari’s classical prose into English, downloading a pirated PDF deprives them of their livelihood. This contradicts the very spiritual purification the book teaches.
The Ethical Path:
This is the critical question. As of 2025, the situation is nuanced: