hazrat nizammuddin

Hazrat Sultanul Mashikh Mehboob –e- ElahiKhwaja Syed Nizamuddin Aulia (R.A.)AH 636 to 725 AHLife PeriodAD 1238 to 1324 ADDargah Sharif of Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Aulia (R.A.)Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, the Sultan of Saints, the beloved of Allah, was one of the greatest Sufi Saints of medieval India and since his death in 1324 AD, the Dargah Sharif or Scared Shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia continues to attract devoted pilgrims from all parts of the world. Somehow Bibi Zulaykha managed to educate her son; Hazrat Nizamuddin studied Arabic and the Quran Sharif as well as meeting many Darveshes and Sufi’s, who impressed the boy deeply. One day a wandering Qawwal / Devotional singer came from Badaun and told Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia about Baba Farid Ganjshakar and deeply spiritual atmosphere of his Khanqah or Sufi convent at Ajodhan. At the mere mention name of Baba Farid, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia’s Life was transformed and he knew someday he would sit at the feet of his great Sufi master.After completing his basic education, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia at the age of eighteen years, left Badaun and came with his mother and sister to Delhi, the magnificent capital of the Sultanate Empire
Every day large numbers of gifts used to be received, but they were distributed before the evening. More than three thousand needy people used to live on the langar (tree feeding).Shortly before his death, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia called Khadim Iqbal and said: "Whatever cash is present, bring it so that I may distribute it to the deserving." Iqbal replied: "Whatever gifts come, they are spent on the same day. But there are a few thousand tons of grain in our storeroom." Bring it out and distribute it to the deserving," said Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia.

post scrap cancel Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia had great love of sama (Sufi music). His friends, disciples and students used to perform such Qawwali (music) in his presence, that even animals used to stop and listen to it. One day he was out for a walk, when he saw a person who was pulling water out of a well and was saying in a loud voice to his companions: "Remain outside today, brother!" Hazrat Nizamuddin, after hearing this, started weeping, and his khuddam (servants) repeated that line until they reached home again.Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya remained a bachelor all his life. Once his kamarband ( cord used to fasten trousers) got away from his hand. Baba Farid then said: "Tighten the kamarband properly." Hazrat Nizamuddin asked: "How should I do it? Baba Sahib answered: "Tighten it in such a way that except the hour is of heaven, nobody is capable of opening it." Hearing that Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya put his head on the floor and did not marry .
Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia was very generous as can be seen in the following narration, which can be found in Jami's "Nafhatul Uns." A merchant of Multan lost all his possessions to a band of thieves. He told Sheikh Sadruddin, the son of the famous Suhrawardy saint (Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria of Multan), that he intended to go to Delhi and asked for a letter of recommendation to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia. Then he was told by the great saint that he would receive all the gifts that would be given from the morning to the chasht (forenoon) prayers. About 12,000 golden and silver coins were received. All these were given to the merchant.

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An interesting legend associated with the dargah is of the war of wits between the saint and the first Tughlaq king,Ghiyasuddin. Sheikh Nizamuddin was getting a baoli constructed at about the same time as the king was engaged in building Tughlakabad. The king forbade his construction workers from working elsewhere and so they decided to work for the Sheikh at night. This made Ghiyasuddin prohibit the sale of oil that burns the earthen lamps, but the workers found that the lamps could be lit with the water from the baoli.The faithful believe that the water of the baoli has healing powers. Nature: After passing the spiritual status of ghousiat and farwaniyat, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia reached the status of Mehboob (beloved). His personality was the container of divine secrets and his intentions were in harmony with those of Allah. He spread a very fine fragrance. Qazi Hamiduddin Kashani also became fragrant with this scent and unsuccessfully tried to wash it way. He narrated the incident to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia, who explained it thus: "Qazi, this fragrance is of the love of Allah, which He gives to His lovers."
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Hazrat Nizamuddin lived in the company of his Pir-o-murshid ( spiritual guide ) for seven months and a few days. In this short period, he became deserving of the khilafat of the great mystic Baba Farid. On the second of Rabi'ul Awwal 656 A.H. (1258 A.D.), Baba Farid bestowed khilafat and wilayat to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia by giving him the special turban, which came to Baba Sahib from Chisht (Afghanistan). After coming to Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia ascended the throne of khilafat-e-piran-e-Chisht i.e., he became a caliph of the Chishti Sheikhs. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya came ten times to Ajodhan: three times in the life of Baba Farid and seven times after his death. After residing in Delhi for a few days, he disdained the crowds of people and desired to withdraw himself to the desert. He then received a Divine inspiration that his place of residence should be Ghiyaspur, a small village outside the city of Delhi. First he had raised a temporary shed with a straw roof for himself and all his companions. After some time, a better place was constructed for him by one of his disciples, Ziauddin Wakil Mulk. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia lived here for more than sixty years and never changed his place of residence. The khanaqah is still there and is visited by many people up to this day. Death: After an illness of about four months he expired in 725 A.H. (1324 A.D.) and realized seclusion (i.e., was buried) in Ghiyaspur. The locality is named after him today and is called Nizam basti.Every Thursday, after sunset, quawwals sing the lyrics of Amir Khusro. Many big and small tombs have been built over the centuries in and around the dargah complex since it is considered auspicious to be buried near a saint's grave. To the south of Nizamuddin's grave is the tomb of Amir Khusro. Nearby are marble screen enclosures around the tombs of Jahanara, the daughter of Shahjahan and a later Mughal emperor, Mohammed Shah Rangila Meeting Baba Farid: One day Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia said to Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil that he should pray to God, so that he (Nizamuddin) might become a Qazi. Then he would be able to spread justice among the creatures of God. The Sheikh remained silent. When Hazrat Nizamuddin repeated his question, he answered thus: "God forbid that you be a Qazi; be something else!"In those days, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia used to spend the nights at the Jama Masjid. One morning, the muezzin ( the one who calls to the prayer ) recited the following verse from the minaret:

post scrap cancel "Has not the time comeFor the faithfulThat their hearts should bendFor the remembrance of Allah" [Qur'an 57:16]Hearing this, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's condition changed. It was as if he received spiritual illumination from every direction. And, without any food, he left Delhi in order to present himself to Baba Farid. At the age of twenty, on Wednesday the 11th of Rajab 655 A.H. (1257 A.D.), he reached Ajodhan. Coming before Hazrat Baba Farid, he unsuccessfully tried to summon up courage to tell in detail how eager he was to see him. He could not do so, because of awe. Baba Farid then said: "Every newcomer is nervous." Thereafter Baba Farid recited this verse

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"O, the fire of separation of Thee,Has made the hearts like roasted meat;The flood of the fondness of Thee,Has made the lives morose."Then Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was honoured to be accepted as the mureed ( spiritual disciple ) of Baba Farid. Then Baba Sahib remarked: "O, Nizamuddin! I wanted to entrust the domain of Delhi to someone else. When you were on the way I heard a voice to the effect that I should wait as Nizamuddin is coming. He is fit for this domain. It should be entrusted to him. So stay in our company so that after completing your inner training, we will appoint you as our caliph and as the Wali-e-Hindustan ( the saint of India )."

post scrap cancel When I heard these words of praise in regard to Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar," Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia says, I developed a sudden and intense love for him and I began to repeat his name after every Namaz (prayer)."The Qawwal had started his concert with this line: "The living serpent of love has bitten my heart." But then Abu Bakr could not recollect the second line. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia helped him to do so, and seeing this, the Qawwal became very attentive towards him. From that day, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia became very much attached to Baba Farid.

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Coming to Delhi: "When my eighteenth year began," Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia tells, "I travelled from Badayun to Delhi." Musamma Ayuz accompanied him in this journey. Ayuz was a staunch believer in the spiritual greatness of Baba Farid. Whenever he saw the slightest danger because of robbers or wild beasts, he would cry out: "O, Pir! Come! I need your protection." "I asked him the name of that Pir and Ayuz said: "It is the one who has caught your heart and got you enamoured," meaning Baba Farid. Thus from that day my faith in the Sheikh increased.""When in Delhi, I stayed by chance near Hazrat Baba Fariduddin's brother and caliph Hazrat Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil. My mother and sister were also with me. We rented a house in the neighbourhood of the great Sheikh, whose company was very valuable to me. In his presence, the qualities of Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar used to be described. On hearing them, I felt the desire of kissing his feet. For approximately three years I stayed in Delhi." Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia's father expired when Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia was five years old. His mother brought him to a school where he learned to recite the holy Qur'an. In a short time he mastered the seven ways of recitation of the holy Qur'an. Then he studied Arabic grammar, Ahadith (traditions of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him), commentary of the Qur'an and logic. At the age of twelve, he received the "turban of excellence." He was so sharp-witted, wise and understanding that he was given the title "Debater, capable of defeating the congregation." He became distinguished in the science of Tafsir (commentary on the Qur'an), in the knowledge of Ahadith, in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), mathematics and astronomy. Khwaja Shamsul Malik was among his most learned teachers. He received a testimony of knowledge of Ahadith from Maulana Kamaluddin. [2] Although in that period, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia used to sit among the ulama (the scholars of Islam), he was more interested in the inner life. He often used to say: "In the days of youth, I used to live in the company of the ulama, but in my heart the thought used to come that I should go away from their company and turn my face to the Divine TeacherBaba Farid: One day a certain Qawwal (Sufi musician), with the name of Abu Bakr, came from Multan (now in Pakistan) to Hazrat Nizamuddin's teacher. The teacher asked for information about the Sufi Sheikhs of Multan. Abu Bakr answered thus: "I have lived in the company of Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria of Multan and I have sung mystical couplets for him. In his Khanqah ( Sufi monastery ) the worship of Allah is very devoted, so much so that even the girls who knead the flour, while doing so, are occupied with the Zikr ( remembrance of Allah ). From there I went to Ajodhan ( the present Pak Pattan in Pakistan ). There I got the privilege of meeting Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Gang-e-Shakar," That sovereign of love of God has conquered the world and the light of his moon has illuminated that area." About 'knowledge', the third faculty of a dervish, it can be said that Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia was one of the greatest scholars of his day. He wanted to become a Qazi, but gave it all up in his pursuit of inner knowledge. After becoming a Murid (spiritual disciple) of Hazrat Baba Farid, he lived in extremely poor circumstances. Seeing him, a former friend expressed great surprise as he remembered Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia as one who had begun a very promising career as a scholar. When Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia told all of this to Hazrat Baba Farid, his murshid (spiritual guide) suggested that he should recite the following couplet to his friend: You are not my fellow traveller.Tread your own pathMay you be affluent.And I downtrodden.Then Hazrat Baba Farid ordered him to take a tray of food from the kitchen and carry it on his head to his friend. After doing so, he recited the verse. This deeply moved his friend.One day, someone told a story of a certain saint who expired while slowly repeating the name of Allah. The eyes of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia, who was listening to this story, filled with tears and he recited this quatrain:I come running to the end of Your street,Tears are washing and washing my cheek.Union with You -- what else can I seek?My soul I surrender as Your name I repeat. Early Years: After leaving their homeland the city of Bokhara, the paternal grandfather of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia -- Khwaja Ali -- and the maternal grandfather of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia -- Khwaja Arab -- along with their family, came to India. At first they lived in Lahore, but later they took up their residence in Badayun (East of Delhi). Khwaja Arab married his daughter Bibi Zulaitaikha to Khwaja Ali's son Khwaja Ahmad.The birth of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia took place on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar, i.e., the 27th of Safar 636 A.H. (1238 A.D.) Up to this day, his birthday celebration takes place. His shrine is bathed and the water thereof is distributed among the visitorsHazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya RA, represents in many ways the pinnacle of the Chishti Order of the Sufis. Hazrat Baba Farid, his spiritual guide, said to him on appointing him as his successor: "Be like a big tree, so that Allah's creation, the human beings in their vast multitudes, may find rest and solace under your shadow." This partly explains why he admitted so many (according to some, including Barani, too many) men into the Chishti order as his disciples. Another reason has been clearly formulated in this way: "History, nonetheless, bears out the wisdom of his open-ended policy . . . To far-flung areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan, Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal and the Deccan, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia sent able disciples well versed in the Chishti practices, yet sensitive to the needs of the local populace." With regard to the Sufi path, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia taught the following: "For a dervish, three things are necessary. They all begin with an 'ain' (an Arabic letter), i.e., Ishq (love), Aql (intelligence) and Ilm (knowledge). Let us discuss these three qualities one by one. Sufism is, in its essence, the way of love. Love is considered to be a spiritual alchemy by means of which the baser qualities of a human being are transformed into higher ones. In this respect it suffices to say that Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia is known as Mehboob-e-Elahi, the beloved of Allah. Of course the spiritual status of a beloved is much higher than that of a lover.'Intelligence' changed in the hands of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awlia into wisdom. His wisdom manifested itself in the shape of service to humanity. About him it has been said: "He was not a miracle-monger of the ordinary sort. He never flew in the air or walked on water with dry and motionless feet. His greatness was the greatness of a loving heart; his miracles were the miracles of a deeply sympathetic soul. He could read a man's inner heart by a glance at his face and spoke the words that brought consolation to a tortured heart.