Question:
He says that among Urdu-speaking Muslims, people often use the phrase “Mahboob Subhani.” Who exactly is meant by this title? Is it referring to Abdul Qadir Jilani?
Answer:
Yes, when people say “Mahboob Subhani,” they are generally referring to Abdul Qadir Jilani. Over time, many titles have been attributed to him by his followers. Among the well-known ones are Muhyiddin, Mahboob Subhani, and Ma‘shooq Rahmani.
These are honorific titles that were given by later followers and admirers. They are not titles that he himself established for his own name.
When we look at the history of Islamic scholarship, the great figures of the religion are usually known for clear and substantial contributions. Some preserved the science of hadith. Some authored major works in tafsir. Others stood firmly against shirk and bid‘ah and worked to correct the beliefs of the community, rather created innovations and ruined the community. His reputation grew largely through the circle of disciples and followers in sufism who gathered around him. Over time, many of those followers began to exaggerate his status. They began to attach lofty titles to him and elevate his position far beyond that of an ordinary scholar.
Through this process of exaggeration, titles such as Mahboob Subhani, Muhyiddin, and Ma‘shooq Rahmani became widely used among certain communities.
So, when you hear these expressions —they are all references to the same person: Abdul Qadir Jilani.