Important Events in Rabi ul-Akhir: Battle of Hattin and Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Rabi ul-Akhir, also called Rabi al-Thani, is the fourth month of the Islamic calendar. It saw one of the most decisive battles of the Crusades and is remembered in South Asia for the great scholar and saint Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Here are its key events.
Rabi ul-Akhir events at a glance
| Date | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Rabi ul-Akhir (commonly) | Passing of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani in Baghdad; remembered as “Gyarvi Sharif” in South Asia | 561 AH (1166 CE) |
| 24 Rabi ul-Akhir | Battle of Hattin: Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi defeats the Crusader armies | 583 AH (4 July 1187 CE) |
24 Rabi ul-Akhir 583 AH: the Battle of Hattin
On 4 July 1187 CE, near the Horns of Hattin above the Sea of Galilee, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi (Saladin) surrounded and defeated the main army of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Crusaders, cut off from water in the summer heat, were overwhelmed, and King Guy of Jerusalem was captured. Salahuddin treated the king with honour. The victory opened the way for the peaceful return of Jerusalem to Muslim rule three months later, on 27 Rajab 583 AH.
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (1077–1166 CE), born in Gilan in Persia, became one of the most respected scholars of Hanbali fiqh and teachers of spirituality in Baghdad. His sermons drew huge crowds, and his works such as Al-Ghunya and Futuh al-Ghayb are still read. The Qadiri Sufi order is named after him. He passed away in Rabi ul-Akhir 561 AH; the 11th is the most commonly cited date, and in India and Pakistan many Muslims mark it as Gyarvi Sharif. Scholars differ on special observances for the day, but all honour his teaching of Taqwa, sincerity and following the Sunnah.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Battle of Hattin?
The Battle of Hattin took place on 24 Rabi ul-Akhir 583 AH, which was 4 July 1187 CE. Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi defeated the Crusader army there.
What is Gyarvi Sharif?
Gyarvi Sharif (“the blessed eleventh”) is the name used in South Asia for 11 Rabi ul-Akhir, commonly given as the date of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s passing in 561 AH.
Related: Events in Rabi ul-Awwal · Events in Rajab · Islamic Calendar 2027
Sources: Britannica – Battle of Hattin; Britannica – Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani. Some dates follow the most commonly accepted opinion.