Jis neh is dar peh gardan jukayi,
ban gaya who Mahboobe Ilahi
Dekoh Kalyar meh jah,
Khwaja Saabir Piya heh yagaana
Tera kaahim Rahe aastana.
Khwaja Ganje Shakar, kar karam ki nazar
Tera kaahim Rahe aastana.
Khwaja Sahib is a descendant of Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti Sanjari (Rahmatullahi alaihi) popularly known as Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaaz (The Supporter of the Poor) is the founder of the Chishtia Order of Sufis in India. He is one of the most outstanding figures in the history of Islamic Sufism.
The Chishtia Silsila[2] is one of the most popular and influential Sufi orders in Islam. It derives its name from Chisht, a village near Herat, Afghanistan, where the founder of the Order, Khwaja Abu Ishaq (Rahmatullahi alaihi) of Syria, settled. Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (Rahmatullahi alaihi) brought the Silsila to India at the close of the 11th century A.D. and established its centre in Ajmer, whence the order spread far and wide in India and became a force in the spiritual life of the Muslims.
Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti Sanjari (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was born in 536 A.H./1141 A.D. at a place called Sanjar, in Sijistan (Persia or present day Iran). He was in direct lineage of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) being a paternally descended from the Holy Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hussain (radiallahu anhu) and maternally from the Holy Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hasan (radiallahu anhu). Thus he is a Hasani and a Husaini Sayyid[3]. He was brought up in Khorasan, Iran and received his early education at home from his father, Hazrath Sayyid Gheyasuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) At the age of 9; he committed the Holy Qur’aan to memory. He was 16 yrs old when his father passed into the realm of Divine Beauty; he inherited a grinding stone and an orchard, which formed a source of his livelihood.
Spiritual Awakening
A Madjzoub[4] saint, Hazrath Ibrahim Qandoozi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) paid Khwaja Sahib a visit at his orchard. Khwaja Sahib laid out a sheet for him to sit on and offered him a few grapes from the garden. The saint ate some grapes, and then took out a piece of bread from his sack and chewed on it. He then took out the chewed bread from his mouth and placed it in Khwaja Sahib’ s mouth. An instant transformation occurred, in keeping with the Sunnah[5] of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). It is stated in at-Tabarani, that a slave girl, who was not very modest, asked the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) for some food whilst he was eating and he offered her some of the food in his plate. She refused to accept it saying, “I want the food in your mouth.” He took some food out of his mouth and as soon as she ate it she was transformed into the most modest woman in Madinah. The saints of Allah also practice the internal, spiritual Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). On eating the bread from Hazrath Ibrahim Qandoozi (Rahmatullahi alaihi), Khwaja Sahib penetrated the thin line separating the material world from the unseen: the inner organs of perception opened and so did his universe expand. The veil of worldly imagination was lifted from his mind and he found himself in quite a strange world radiating with divine manifestation. The intellectual proof of Islam is found among the Ulema or scholars whilst the personification of 'surrender to the Will of Allah' or the visible proof are the Awliya. The truth of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) 's integrity is manifested through these Awliya.
With this expanded view of the universe, Khwaja Sahib went to his mother and with her permission left to acquire more knowledge of Islam (ilme din). Distributing all his worldly belongings to the poor, he went to Bukhara and Samarqand to join the famous Nizamia Universities there for his theological education. He studied under Hazrath Hussamuddin Bukhari (Rahmatullahi alaihi) and other great scholars. He completed his academic courses brilliantly in 9 years (552 AH to 561 AH). Adorned with the external knowledge of Islam (ilme zaahir) he felt an urge to acquire recognition of his Creator (ilme baatin) and thus he sought a Spiritual Guide.
The Spiritual Guide is the inheritor of The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in his inner Spiritual State, in their outward behaviour and in their roles as guides and protectors within their communities. Their Spiritual Hearts (qalb)[6] are capable of receiving light and love from Allah and radiating it to those that are in their attendance. A person may acquire any amount of external knowledge (ilm) but he cannot reach reality (haqiqah)[7]until he connects himself to a Silsila[8] via a physical present Guide of the Silsila, who has the powerful transference or overflow from the Great Heart (qalb) of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) down the unbroken chain of recipients.
Maulana Jallaluddin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says:
Ilme Baatin Hamchu masqa, Ilme zaahir hamchu sheer
Ke Buwad sheer masqa, ke buwad be Pir, Pir
Internal Knowledge (ilme baatin) is like butter and External Knowledge (ilme zaahir) is like milk
Like butter cannot be acquired without milk, so to recognition of Allah (ilme baatin) cannot be obtained without a Spiritual Guide.
Once while Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was teaching his pupils in the open courtyard, next to a fountain, a shabbily externally dressed but perfectly internally adorned Sufi, Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) came to their assembly and watched them. He saw Maulana Rumi referring to numerous handwritten books in the course of his teaching. Shams asked Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) as to what was in the books. Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) replied, “O! Sufi. This contains knowledge that is beyond your understanding so you continue to read your rosary (tasbih).” Unnoticed by Rumi, Hazrath Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) threw all the books into the pond of water. When Maulana Rumi’s students saw what occurred they began beating Hazrath Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi). This and the screams of Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) alerted Maulana Rumi as to what occurred. He complained that all his valuable knowledge had been destroyed. Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) said; “Tell your pupils to leave me alone and I will give back your books.” A visibly dejected Rumi conceded to the request thinking that this was impossible. He was surprised to see Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi), recite bismillah, lift the drenched books from the pond, blew dust of them and returned them to him intact. He asked Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) as to how he did this. Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi) replied, “This knowledge is beyond your understanding so you continue to teach your pupils.” Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) fell at his feet and was swept into the currents of love. The presence of this ragged Sufi, Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi), changed Maulana Jallaluddin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) from a respected professor of theology into a lover of God, one who summed up his whole life with the phrase, "I burnt, and I burnt, and I burnt." Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullahi alaihi), targeted Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) since he knew that Rumi was ready for receiving Spiritual Training but the veil of conceit, regarding his knowledge, had to be lifted.
Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says,
Sad kitaboh, sad waraq, dar nare kun
Aur jaanoh dil rah, janibeh, dil daar kun
Throw all your books into the fire
And turn with heart and soul to the Awliya
For without them one cannot reach perfection.
Maulvi hargis na shud Maula e Rum
Ta ghulame Shams Tabrizi na shud
Maulana (religious teacher) Rumi could never have become Maula Rumi (Spiritual Guide)
Without submitting to Spiritual Guide Shams Tabrez
Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) as the true inheritor of the internal state of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was so respected that the Muslim Ruler of the time used to kiss his feet out of reverence.
Meeting With Hazrath Khwaja Usman Haruni (Rahmatullahi Alaihi)
Khwaja Sahib undertook a journey to a place called Harwan or Haroon. He became a disciple of Hazrath Khwaja Uthman Harooni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) a great Sufi of his time. Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was then consigned to a hujra[9] to worship Allah (ibaadat) and strive on the path (riyaazat). A day later his Guide asked him as to what he could see and he replied, “I can see the seven heavens and the seven earths.” Khwaja Uthman Harooni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) said, “You are not ready yet.” and sent him back into the hujra. Another day passed and he was asked as to what he could see and he replied, “I can see the abyss of the earth (tahtus sudra) and up to the Divine Throne (arsh). Again he got the reply “You are not ready yet” and was sent back into the hujra. Another day passed and on being questioned by his Pir he replied, ‘ I can see up to the Glorious Veil (al-Hijab e Azmat) that veils the Creator from us and beyond the veil.” Khwaja Uthman Harooni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) then held out two fingers and asked him to look through them and say what he sees. He replied, “I can see the 1800 universes.” Although some reports say the training lasted three years many say it lasted three days, and I favour this, since Khwaja Uthman Haruni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) is reported to have said in Anis ul-Arwah[10], “in our followers there is Spiritual Striving (mujaheda) of one day and one night only.”
Iqbal says:
Har kasse az ramze ishq aga a nesst
Har kasse shayane ee dargae nesst
The secret of love is not for everyone
So the kissing of this great courtyard is not in everyone’s destiny.
He remained in the company of his Peer-o-Murshid for 21 years and travelled with him carrying his Murshid's belongings on his head. They travelled to Makkah, Madinah, Iraq, Syria, Samarqand, Afghanistan, etc. meeting many great saints. While they were in Makkah in 562 AH, Hazrath Khwaja Uthman Haruni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) took Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti (Rahmatullahi alaihi) to the Holy Kaaba and prayed for him and a voice was heard declaring: "We have accepted Muinuddin as one of our beloved devotees." In Madinah the Illuminated, while at the Holy Court of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Hazrath Khwaja Uthman Haruni (Rahmatullahi alaihi) instructed Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti (Rahmatullahi alaihi) to offer his homage and salutations respectfully. In doing so, a voice was heard saying, "Wa Alaikum us-Salaam Ya Qutb ul-Mashaa'ikh-e-bahr-o-bar (Peace be upon you also, O, the Head of the Pious of the earth and the sea)." On hearing this his Pir-o-Murshid said to him, "Now indeed you have reached perfection."
Khalifah of the Chisti Order
After full 20 years hard training in the Science of Spirituality (Tasawwuf) under this great Spiritual Guide, at the age of 46, in the year 582 AH at Baghdad, Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was awarded Khilafat[11] in the Chishtia Silsila. His Murshid, after advising him, handed over his Sacred Staff (Asa Mubarak), wooden sandals and prayer mat (Musallah) to Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) saying that those Tabbarukaats [12]have come down from Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in succession. The association with his Spiritual Guide (Suhbat)[13] had now prepared him for his mission. This fire of love is passed down the Spiritual Chain. Heart connection is required to acquire it. A poet has rightly said:
Qareeb Jalte huwe dil keh apna dil karleh
Yeh aag lagti nahi. Lagahi jati heh.
Take yourself close to the heart aflame with Divine Love
This fire cannot be ignited it has to be attained.
Khwaja Bahauddin and how the title ‘Naqshbandi’ was attained.
It is reported that once Hazrath Bahauddin Naqshbandi was passing a clay pot makers shop with some of his disciples when he felt the heat of a raging furnace. He asked the clay pot maker as to what the fire was for and he explained that the wet clay pots are placed into the fire and they become solidly baked. He told his disciples that this was the ‘secret of love connection’. To expound what he was saying, he went close to the fire and said, ‘Allah!’ and then walked away into the crowded market. The clay pot maker was surprised as to what this Sufi had done. When the baked pots were removed from the furnace, every pot had the inscription, Allah on it. The clay pot maker ran into the market place and looked for Hazrath Bahauddin. When he found him he exclaimed,
E Shae Naqshaband Naqshe mara ba band
O! Master, who imprints the word Allah, Give me a look of grace and put Allah in my heart
Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says that a Perfect Friend of Allah must be able to see this universe as he sees his fingernails. Therefore the Sultan al-Arifin Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says:
Lauh ul- Mahfuz[14] zast peshe Awliya
The Destiny of all creation is in front of the Awliya like an open book
Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Jilani (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says:[15] I see the world like a mustard seed on my palm.
Naz}artu ila> bila>di ‘llahi jam ‘an
I look upon all the cities of Allah together
Ka-khardalatin ‘ala> h}ukmi ‘ttis}a>li>
As a mere mustard seed compared to my connection with Him (Allah)
If this is the status of Awliya, what must be the status of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)? The Wahabbi /Salafi / Deobandi alliance accuses us of equating Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) with Allah and declares we are committing an act of ‘assigning partners to Allah’ (Shirk). I say we don’t say Rasulullah is the partner of Allah (sharik) but if at all guilty we say he is ‘the Beloved of Allah’ (Habib). E.g.: If there are four partners in a business then each will own a proportionate share. This is sharik. On the contrary a beloved of one owner, due to the intense love he has for his beloved, makes the beloved the owner of everything. Therefore Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says:
Meh toh Maalik hi kahoonga keh hoh Maalik keh Habib
Yaani Mehboob e Muhib meh nahi mera tera
I will call you the owner (O! Beloved Prophet) because you are the Owners Beloved
In other words there is no mine and yours between the Lover and the Beloved
The status, which the ‘the Beloved of Allah’ (Habib) holds is greater than any ascribed ‘partner’ (sharik) could be given.
His Mission as a Khalifa of The Chishti Order
After ordaining him as a Spiritual Guide, Khwaja Uthman (Rahmatullahi alaihi) embraced Khwaja Muinuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi), affectionately, kissed his forehead and said, "I entrust you to God". Khwaja Muinuddin then departed with a heavy heart on the mission entrusted to him. (Anis ul-Arwah). During his tour onwards, a fourteen-year-old boy, Qutbuddin Bakhtyar Awashi (Born 569 A.H.) approached him at Asfahan in 583 A.H and was initiated as his spiritual disciple (mureed). Khwaja Qutbuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was the first disciple of Khwaja Saheb and he accompanied him on his tour. Khwaja Saheb received 'Beshara' [16] or prophecy in dream from the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in 586 A.H, to grant Khwaja Qutub, Khilafat at an early age of seventeen years. Khwaja Qutbuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) was a born saint. His mother was a Hafizah of half of the Holy Qur’aan and she recited Qur’aan daily during her pregnancy. He therefore remembered by heart, half of the Holy Qur’aan by Allah's grace while he was still in his mother's womb. Khwaja Saheb during his tour (583 585 A.H.) visited many places including Makkah and Madinah.
He performed Hajj and whilst at the Holy Kaaba he heard a Voice declaring. "0 Muinuddin we are pleased with you; you may ask anything you like." He replied, "0 Almighty Allah, I only pray for the grace of your pardon to Muinuddin’s silsila of disciples." Allah answered: "0 Muinuddin, You are our beloved devotee we shall pardon your 'murids' and also others who become so in your Spiritual order up to The Day of Judgement. He then went to Madinah and remained in devotion for a long time. One night he had a Basharat' from the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who said; "0 Muinuddin, you are the promoter of our religion. We put India under your charge where darkness prevails." Go to Ajmer. With your presence the darkness will disappear and Islam shall shine. God will help you." Khwaja Muinuddin was much pleased with being given an assignment by the Beloved of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) but wondered about the geographical position of Ajmer. He was again blessed with a vision of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and shown a map with the exact position of Ajmer with its surrounding hills and fort.
Resuming his journey through Hamadan, Tabrez, Isfahan, Khirqan, Astrabad, and Herat, meeting notable saints in his way he reached Sabzawar in Afghanistan where he converted the governor of the place, Yadgar Muhammad who was cruel and haughty and was a Shia by faith, who did not recognise and respect the first three Caliphs of Islam, neither had any respect for Sufis nor for any holy saints. One look of grace from Khwaja Sahib caused Yadgar Muhammad to repent. He distributed his wealth among the poor and needy, divorced his many wives, freed all his slaves and renouncing the world, became one of the ardent devotees of Hazrath Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti. (Tazkarat ul-Aulia). Before entering India in 587 A.H., he healed the suffering humanity throughout his journey, visiting Balkh and Ghazi as well. He proceeded to Delhi via Fort Shadman, Multan, Lahore and Samana.
At the Holy Court of Data Ganj Baksh (Rahmatullahi alaihi)
At Lahore Khwaja Sahib stayed for forty days at the shrine of Hazrath Makhdum Sayyid Ali Hujweri (Rahmatullahi alaihi), a descendant of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who is popularly known as Data Ganj Baksh (Rahmatullahi alaihi). Hazrath Sayyid Ali Hujweri (Rahmatullahi alaihi) is a wali of such a high status that it is stated that Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Jilani (Rahmatullahi alaihi) said, when he was once mentioned in his gathering, “I, Abd al-Qadir, would have taken him as my Spiritual Guide if I was born in his time.” Khwaja Sahib who had reached such a high spiritual status, had such respect for Data Sahib, that he spent forty days at the feet of data Sahib. Before leaving Lahore he offered the following couplet in appreciation of Ali Hujwiri (Rahmatullahi alaihi)’s status:
Ganj Buksh Faize Alam Mazhare Nure Khuda
Naqesara Ra Pir e Kamil Kamila Ra Rahnuma.
He is a bestower of treasure (Ganj Baksh) reflecting Divine Light for the salvation of mankind.
To the unworthy he is a perfect guide, but to perfect souls, he is still a guide
This couplet has made him famous forever as 'Data Ganj Baksh. In what high esteem must adherents of the Chishtia Spiritual Order hold this Mazaar of Data Sahib where the Sovereign of the Chishtia Order, Khwaja Sahib spent forty days? Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia reports that I saw the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) entering the Mazaar of my Shaykh, Hazrath Baba Faiduddin Ganje Shakar (Rahmatullahi alaihi) and he, the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) exclaimed:
Man dakhala hazihi baaba faqat amina
Whosoever enters through this door will enter paradise
Therefore this door is called ‘The Door to Paradise” or Behisti Darwaza. How great must the status of Baba Farid Ganje Shakar (Rahmatullahi alaihi) be?
A poet has said:
Jis neh is dar peh gardan jukayi,
ban gaya who Mahboobe Ilahi
Dekoh Kalyar meh jah,
Khwaja Saabir Piya heh yagaana
Tera kaahim Rahe aastana.
Khwaja Ganje Shakar, kar karam ki nazar
Tera kaahim Rahe aastana.
It is stated that this great wali, Baba Farid (Rahmatullahi alaihi) used to visit the Mazaar of Data Saheb (Rahmatullahi alaihi), he used to show such reverence that he swept the forecourt of the mazaar with his beard.
The one who instituted Islam in India
Islamic history records in golden letters that only Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (Rahmatullahi alaihi) and no one else instituted the everlasting spirit of Islam in India. He conquered the hearts of Indian people without any army. It was a grand spiritual victory that must stand high among all political victories of the world. What Ghaznavi, Lodhi and Ghauri could not do with their army, Khwaja Muinuddin (Rahmatullahi alaihi) did with wisdom and love. He conquered India, not by the sword but by winning the hearts with love and strong character as has been said by Hazrath Nizamuddin Aulia (Rahmatullahi alaihi) in Fawaid-ul-Fuad[17]: "None can be converted to Islam either by sword or by dialogue; but good character is more effective than sword or dialogue. Before converting someone it is most essential that one must first be a real Muslim."
The Khalifat-Allah actualized
The Hindu ruler of India, Prithvi Raj challenged Khwaja Muinuddin, unsuccessfully, on many occasions. The ruler sent a Hindu Priest, Shadi Dev or Ram Deo to persuade Khwaja Saheb to leave the area and not to use the water of the Anasagar Lake for ablution, since it was a Hindu Holy lake. Khwaja Saheb requested that he be allowed to fill one water bag. Permission was granted and on Khwaja Sahibs orders, Khwaja Qutbuddin went to fill the water bag. The entire lake disappeared into the water-skin bag. Shaadi Ram was awestruck by the magnetic and miraculous personality of Khwaja Sahib. He hesitantly protested and Khwaja Sahib told him, ‘O! Shaadi. I can see the light of Islam on your forehead. Testify that ‘None is worthy of worship except the One True God”. He at once accepted Islam and was named Saadi. This created a stir amongst the Hindus. Thousands now accepted Islam. The Hindu ruler now sent his greatest magician, Ajaipal, to challenge Khwaja Sahib. After failing in many attacks on Khwaja Sahib he finally flew into the air on a deerskin and asked Khwaja Sahib to better this feat. Khwaja Sahib ordered his wooden sandals to fly up into the air and beat the head of Ajipal and bring him down
We may think that these are fictitious stories. No! This is Islam and this is man acting in his capacity as Khalifat-Allah[18] actualised. . The goal of Islam is not to grope in the dark. The Holy Qur’aan describes the function of Islam in Sura al-Baqara 2: Verse 257
Allah is the protecting friend of those who believe in Him genuinely and He takes them out of darkness into the light
If the goal is to imbue ourselves with Divine Attributes- to become Khalifat-Allah actualised then the natural function is interference. This interference by man is possible on the lower level of physical science and at the higer level of spiritual science or spirituality. The Khalifat-Allah as one totally submitted to Allah can do greater wonders than the physical scientist.
Love to all and Malice to none, along with Service to humanity was the foundation stone laid by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (Rahmatullahi alaihi) for the successful spread of Islam in India. Representatives of Chishtia Order are working up to the present day on the same line. Khwaja Saheb used great wisdom in presenting Islam to the people of India. He Islamicised prevalent activities, in keeping with their culture, and presented other ‘enjoyable’ activities to them, especially designed to attract them to Islam. Although music and singing popularly known as 'Sama' is not new to Sufis wherever they are, Sultan ul-Hind, Gharib Nawaaz Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti specially arranged and patronised these concerts to capture and mould the heart of his audience for accepting the Divine Message gracefully. Thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims listen to it in rapt attention wherever these Sufi functions are held by the representatives of Chishtia Order and derive spiritual benefits. It is through these methods that the Sufis, slowly and patiently, awaken the Spiritual Heart, to love Allah and Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), resulting in those astray coming to the straight path.
Passing into the Realm of Divine Beauty
Khwaja Saheb passed into the realm of Divine Beauty on the 6 Rajab 633 AH/1233 AD at the age of 97. On his passing he had the unique honour of knowing that 9.9 million had accepted Islam in India due to his efforts.
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