Gilanis Migrated from Baghdad
According to some authentic histories seven sons of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani decided to stay in Baghdad. Those were Syed Saif-ud-Deen Abdul Wahab Gilani, Syed Abdul Jabbar Gilani, Syed Taj-ud-Deen Abdul Razzaq Gilani, Syed Muhammad Gilani, Syed Abdullah Gilani, Syed Yahya Gilani and Syed Abdul Rehman Gilani. They all were buried at Baghdad.
But when ¡°Shias¡± took control of Baghdad, their descendants were compelled to leave their native city. After some time when situation become normal, some members of Syed Abdul Razzaq Gilani¡¯s family returned to Baghdad for permanent residence. Out of them Syed Abdul Rehman Faiz Allah Gilani, Syed Abdul Aziz Gilani, Syed Ali Al-Kabeer Gilani, Syed Mahmood Gilani, Syed Mohammad Gilani (Naqeeb-ul-Ashraaf) and Syed Rasheed Ali Gilani (Ex Prime Minister of Iraq) were prominent.
Other than seven sons of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, mentioned above, Syed Sharf-ud-Deen Essa Gilani migrated to Egypt, Syed Abdul Aziz Gilani, Jabbal (Kurdistan), Syed Abu Ishaque Ibraheem Gilani, Wasta and Syed Musa Gilani migrated to Syria.
Some sons of Ghaus-ul-Azam were died before prime age.
Gilanis in Pakistan & Hindustan
There is very much difference of opinion, that which was the first Gilani Syed, who came to that area, now called Pakistan and Hindustan (India) but this is a solid fact that Gilanis not came in a row or in shape of a caravan to these areas in some specific period. They came separately, at time to time, individually or with families or their Mureeds and these arrivals are continue till day.
Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Lahori, author of ¡°Khazeena-tul-Asfia¡± has written that Syed Abdal Gilani S/o Syed Nasser Gilani (father of renowned Sufi, Syed Ismaeel Gilani) was first Gilani Syed, who came to Hindustan around 1400 A.D (802 H).
But unfortunately this is not correct.
According to most reliable sources, arrival of some renowned Gilani Syeds is as under.
1) Syed Abdul Raheem Gilani S/o Syed Abdul Wahab Gilani S/o Ghaus-ul-Azam Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani was first Gilani Syed who came to this area for permanent residence. His marriage was took place with Jamila Khatoon, elder sister of Baba Fareed Ganj Shaker, at Khatwaal, Multan (native town of Baba Fareed Ganj Shaker) but some others said that marriage was took place earlier and he came from Baghdad along with his wife. This is definite that their son Syed Alla-ud-Deen Gilani alias Syed Sabir Gilani, who was greatest Saint of his time, was born at Khatwaal in 1195 A.D (19th Rabi-ul-Awwal 592 H). Historians have mentioned 1187 A.D (596 H) to 1194 A.D (592 H) as period of his migration to Hindustan.
2) One of the ancestors of Syed Abdul Hakeem Gilani, named Syed Yaqoob Gilani came Hindustan from Iran in 1421 A.D (824H) during regime of Irani Badshah Abu Al-Fateh Mubarak Shah. He permanently settled at Multan.
3) Syed Muhammad Ghous Gilani S/o Syed Shams-ud-Deen Gilani S/o Syed Shah Meer Baghdadi came from Halab (Syria) to Uch in 1482 A.D (887 H).
4) Historians have mentioned Syed Shah Feroz Gilani as oldest Gilani who came to Lahore from Baghdad. He died here in 1536 A.D (933 H).
5) Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani S/o Syed Jamal-ud-Deen Gilani came from Baghdad. He went to village Moodi (Distt Amritsar) then Patna, Hindustan but he selected Lahore for his permanent residence. He died here in 1535 A.D (942 H).
6) Syed Abi Al-Hayat S/o Syed Taj-ud-Deen Mehmood Gilani (father of Syed Qumais-ud-Deen Gilani Sadhori) migrated from Baghdad around 1580 A.D (988 H). He resided in Bengal for some time but then permanently settled in Sadhoora (Khizarabad) District Anbala, Punjab.
7) Syed Abdullah Gilani Teehi came Hindustan in 1613 A.D (1021 H) by the order of Allah. He was only 15 at that time. Syed Abdullah Gilani selected a small village named Taaha near Delhi. With reference of this village he is called as Syed Abdullah Gilani Teehi. Some has mentioned the name of village; Bohat and they called him Syed Abdullah Gilani Bohti.
8) Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani came to Iran from Gilan. After some stay, he went to Qandhaar (Afghanistan) in 1640 A.D (1051 H). Nawab Ali Mardan Khan was the ruler of Qandhaar at that time. He honored him and when he transferred to Lahore, Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani was also with him. Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani died at Lahore in 1655 A.D (1066 H).
9) Syed Mehmood Gilani, an ancestor of Syed Abdullah Gilani alias Syed Abdullah Shah Sahabi (forefather of Gilanis of Kashmir and Hazara etc) left Baghdad and settled at Thatta (Sindh). Year of his migration is not known.
10) Ancestors of Syed Ahmed Sheikh-ul-Hind Gilani S/o Syed Abdul Razzaq Gilani S/o Syed Taj-ul-Arfeen came from Arab and settled near Wazirabad (Punjab). They also found a village named Kotlah near Wazirabad.
11) Ghaus-e-Dauran Syed Tahir Alla-ud-Deen Al-Gilani came from Baghdad in 1955 and selected Quetta for his residence. He died at 7th June 1991 (23 Ziqaadah 1411 H) in Germany but buried at Lahore.
These are only few examples of migrations of Gilani Saints or their Families to Pakistan and Hindustan. This is a solid reality that Gilani Syeds have played a vital and imperative role in preaching Islam not only in Pakistan, Hindustan and Bengal but also in Iran, Afghanistan, (now) Russian States and neighboring areas.
It is also a historical fact that no District of above-mentioned areas is without shrines of Gilani Saints. Numerous exclusive towns and villages of Gilani Syeds are also existed in different parts of Sub Continent.
So this can be stated that, Gilani Syeds are a powerful and strong clan not only in Arab world but also in other parts of Asia, particularly in Pakistan and Hindustan