Tahir Allauddin - Death and Mausoleum

Death and Mausoleum

Al-Gillani became ill towards the end of his life. He would spend his nights holding vigil on his prayer-mat, and during the day would attend to the hundreds of guests who had flocked from far and near to meet him. On the constant insistence of his followers, he finally agreed to travel to Germany for medical treatment. After spending several days in hospital, he died in Frankfurt on 7 June 1991 (23 Zequad 1411 A.H).Al-Gillani’s body was originally planned to be returned to his home-city of Baghdad, so he could be buried at the historic family graveyard situated alongside the shrine of his ancestorAbdul Qadir Gilani. This was not possible due the gulf-war in Iraq. A chartered plane was arranged by the President of Pakistan so the body could be returned to Pakistan. The sons of Al-Gilani had him buried in Lahore, so he could be buried near the shrine of Data Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwiri. The first funeral prayer was held at Nishtar Park (Karachi) and then the body was flown to Lahore, where a second funeral prayer was led by Justice Karam Shah al-Azhari followed by burial.

The family of Al-Gillani purchased land in Township (Lahore), so Al-Gillani could be buried here. The shrine of Al-Gillani which is known as Darbar e Ghousia, covers 20,000 square yards and is been planned on the same design of Mausoleum of Shaykh in Baghdad, which also covers around 20,000 square yards. The area where the shrine is located has been renamed as Baghdad Town and the International Minhaj University is a short distance away.

On the 11th of each Islamic Lunar month, the Gyarween Shareef gathering is held at the shrine, in the honour of the Grand Shaykh . Other events are held on a large scale to mark key dates of the Islamic Calendar such as the death anniversary (URS) of both Shaykh and the death anniversary of AlSyed Tahir Allauddin Al-Gillani himself. These events are presided over by one of the sons or grandsons of Al-Gillani and these events begin with a special ceremony where the tomb of Al-Gillani is washed with Zam Zam water, before being showered with rose petals, itr and lavish cloths. The main official Gyarween Shareef gathering is still held at Darbar e Ghousia in Quetta, but other gatherings are known to be held globally.