At the age of 91 years, Hazrat Abdul Qadir’s Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) health had deteriorated after contracting some illness. Many saints and his sons gathered around him when they felt that his blessed soul would soon depart for the hereafter.

His noble soul departed from this earthly abode on the 11th night of Rabi-ul-Akhir 561 AH, 11th February 1166 AD. [There is some controversy regarding the actual date and according to some scholars it is 8th and according to some it is 9-11]. Thousands of people came to pay homage and offer Fatiha. His son Sayyid Abdul Wahab (may Allah be pleased with him) led the burial prayer and he was buried late that night in his blessed tomb, at the madrasa of Bab al-Daraja in Baghdad, which has become an important place of visitation for all Sufis and Muslims. Hazrat Sayyid Ahmed Rifai (may Allah be pleased with him) had so much love and respect for Sayyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) that he told his students that whoever visited Baghdad and didn't visit this great saints tomb would not be welcomed by Almighty Allah or them (Awliya).

In addition to both scholarly legitimacy and hagiographic adornment of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, devotion to him has been integrally expressed in popular culture through ritual. His death anniversary [urs] is celebrated each 11th of Rabi al-Thani/Rabi-ul-Akhir [the 4th month of the Islamic lunar calendar]. In Sind [India], where many big trees are named after him, the entire month is called yarhin [eleven] because of the day commemorating Abdul Qadir Jilani.

The death anniversary is observed on 11th of Rabi-ul-Akhir each year and is called Igyarween Shareef/Gyarhawin [literally '11th'].  The devotees of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) and the followers of Qadiri Tariqa celebrate Igyarween Sharif by holding public gatherings (mehfils) where recitation of the Holy Quran takes place and the life and works of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) is made known to the people. His son Sayyid Abdul Wahab (may Allah be pleased with him) observed it regularly as Urs. Many Mashaikhs, saints and scholars have regularly observed Igyarween Shareef. The tradition of feeding the poor by Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) is observed during this day.

There is not a consensus on his actual death date, which could be from the 5th of the month to the 17th. Apparently his death anniversary is celebrated on the 9th of the month in Baghdad. Jafar Sharif states that Abdul Qadir actually died on the 17th of the month but his anniversary is celebrated on the 11th because he was in a habit of reciting the fatiha in the name of the beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) for 11 days each month. See Qanun-i Islam, translated by G.A. Herklots, Islam in India, edited, William Crooke (New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, 1972 [1921], page 194.

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