International Sufi Centre(R)

Transcription

1 Sufi World Book -8

2 Book -8 MARCH-APRIL 2006 Issue dedicated to Khwaja Garibun Nawaz Hazreth Syed Moinuddin Chisty (RAA) A Journal on Sufi Culture, Philosophy and Literature (Islamic Spiritualism) Tasawwuf International Sufi Centre(R) C/o Mr. A.A.Khatib, Managing Trustee, # 3/28, 1st Cross, V.R.Puram, Palace Guttahalli, Bangalore , Karnataka, INDIA. Ph :

3 Book 8. Muharram-Safar 1427 Hijri March-April Exceprts from 'The Holy Quran Sultan-ul-Hind from Internet 3. Life of Khwaja Garibun Nawaz (RAA) 4. The Chisthi Order by Idris Shah Excerpts from 'Futuh Al Ghaib by Hz. Ghouse-ul-Azam (RAA) 6. Excerpts from "The Secret of Secrets' by Hz. Ghouse ul Azam (RAA) 7. A letter of Hz. Ghouse ul Azam (RAA) to his disciple Hz Ali Husamuddin al-muttaqi (RAA) 8. Excerpts from 'The Purification of the Soul' by Hz Ahmad Farid (RAA) 9. Excerpts from 'Kitab Adab Al-Muridin by Hz. Abual Najid al Suhrawari (RAA) 10. Sufism by Dr. S.L.Peeran 11. A poem from Divani Shamsi Tabriz by Moulana Rumi (RAA) 12. Poems by Dr. S.L.Peeran Contents Published by Mrs Shaista Yusuf Saheba on behalf of International Sufi Centre, 3/28, Ist Floor, V.R.Puram Palace Guttahalli, Bangalore , INDIA. Ph :

4 International Sufi Centre Bangalore Board of Trustees (Regd) 1. Moulana Moulvi Syed Chairman Shah Anwar Hussaini (Since deceased) 2. Mr. A.A.Khatib Managing Trustee 3. Mr. Mohammed Kamaluddin Trustee 4. Dr. S.L.Peeran Trustee 5. Mr. Khaleel Mamoon Trustee 6. Mr. Azeez ulla Baig Trustee 7. Mr. Shaista Yusuff Saheb Trustee EDITOR Dr. Syed Liaqath Peeran Aims and Objectives 1. To propagate the ideals and practice of Sufism 2. To achieve cosmic harmony through preachings of Sufi Tradition and Culture. 3. To carry out publications of books on Sufies, their lives and preachings. 4. To hold lectures, seminars on Sufi thought. 5. To unite Sufies and members of Sufi orders all over India and abroad for achieving universal love and brother-hood.

5 Foreword In this Book-8, we have produced excerpts from the book on the life of Khwaja Garibun Nawaz (RAA) by Late Khwaja Syed Saleem Chiot. We hope the readers will be enlightened and draw inspiration from the life of our 'Sultan ul awaliya' Hazreth Khwaja Saheb represents 'The Chishi Order'. A detail extract on the Chisthi order from 'A way the Sufi' by Idris Shah is presented for our readers benefit. We have retaimed the regular features in this book. We appeal to our readers and members of ISC to popularise our activities. Bangalore March 2006 Dr. Syed Liaqath Peeran Editor

6 Sora LXVIII Qalam, or the Pen, or Nun (see n.5592) 1. Nun. By the pen And by the (Record) Which (men) write, - Excerpts from Holy Quran 2. Thou art not, By the grace of thy Lord, Mad or possessed. 3. Nay, verily for thee Is a Reward unfailing. 4. And thou (standest) On an exalted standard Of character. 5. Soon wilt thou see, And they will see 6. Which of you is Afflicted with madness, 7. Verily it is thy Lord That knoweth best, Which (among men) Hath strayed from His Path : And He knoweth best Those who receive (True) Guidance. 8. So hearken not To those who Deny (the Truth). 9. Their desire is that

7 Thou shouldst be pliant : So would they be pliant. 10. Heed not the thpe Of despicable man, Ready with oaths, 11. A slanderer, going about With calumnies, 12. (Habitually) hindering (all) good, Transgressing beyond bounds, Deep in sin 15. When to him are rehearsed Our Signs, "Tales of the Ancients " He cries! 16. Soon shall We brand (The beast) on the snout! 17. Verily We have tried them As we tried the People Of the Garden, When they resolved to gather The fruits of the (garden) In the morning, 18. But made no reservation, ("If it be God's Will") 19. Then there came On the (garden) A visitation from thy Lord, (Which swept away) all around, While they were asleep.

8 20. So the (garden) became, By the morning, like A dark and desolate spot, (Whose fruit had been gathered.) 21. As the morning broke, They called out, One to another, "Go ye to your tilth (Betimes) in the morning, If ye would gather The fruits." 23. So they departed, conversing In secret low tones, (saying) "Let not a single indigent Person break in upon you Into the (garden) this day." 25. And they opened the morning, Strong in an (unjust) resolve. 26. But when they saw The (garden), they said : "We have surely lost our way : 27. "Indeed we are shut out (Of the fruits of our labour)!" 28. Said one of them, More just (than the rest) : "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify(god)?" 29. They said : "Glory To our Lord! Verily we Have been doing wrong!"

9 30. Then they turned, one Against another, in reproach. 31. They said : "Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed! 32. "It may be that our Lord Will give us in exchange A better (garden) than this : For we do turn to Him (In repentance)! " 33. Such is the Punishment (In this life); but greater Is the Punishment In the Hereafter, If only they knew! 34. Verily, for the Righteous, Are Gardens of Delight, In the Presence Of their Lord. 35. Shall We then treat The People of Faith Like the People of Sin? 36. What is the matter With you? How judge ye? 37. Or have ye a Book Through which ye learn That ye shall have, Through it whatever Ye choose? 39. Or have ye Covenants

10 With Us on oath, Reaching to the Day Of Judgement, (providing) That ye shail have Whatever ye shall demand? 40. Ask thou of them, Which of them will stand Surety for that! 41. Or have they some "Partners" (in Godhead)? 42. The Day that the Shin Shall be laid bare, And they shall be summoned To bow in adoration, But they shall not be able, 43. Their eyes will be Cast down, - ignominy will Cover them ; seeing that They had been summoned Aforetime to bow in adoration, While they were whole, (And had refused). 44. Then leave Me alone With such as reject This Message : by degrees Shall We punish them From directions they perceive not. 45. A (long) respite will I Grant them : truly Powerful is My Plan. 46. Or is it that thou dost

11 Ask them for a reward, So that they are burdened With a load of debt? Or that the Unseen Is in their hands, so that They can write it down? 48. So wait with patience For the Command Of thy Lord, and be not Like the Companion Of the Fish, - when he Cried out in agony. 49. Had not Grace From His Lord Reached him, he Would indeed have been Cast off on the naked Shore, in disgrace. 50. Thus did his Lord Choose him and make him Of the company Of the Righteous. 51. And the Unbelievers Would almost trip thee up With their eyes when they Hear the Message ; and they Say : "Surely he is possessed!" 52. But it is nothing less Than a Message To all the worlds.

12 SULTAN-UL-HIND HAZRAT KHWAJA MU'INUDDIN CHISTI SANJARI (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM) Sultan-ul-Hind Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti Sanjari (May Allah be pleased with him) popularly known as "Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaaz" (The Benefactor of the Poor) was the founder of the Chistiya Order of Sufis in India. He is one of the most outstanding figures in the history of Islamic Mysticism. The Chistiya Silsila is one of the most popular and influential mystic orders in Islam. It derives its name from Chist, a village near Herat in Afghanistan, where the real founder of the Order, Khwaja Abu Ishaq (May Allah be pleased with him) brought the Silsila to India at the close of the 11th century A.D. and established its centre in Ajmer (India), whence the order spread for and wide in India and became a force in the spiritual life of the Muslims. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti Sanjari (May Allah be pleased with him) was born in 536 A.H. / A.D. in Sijistan (Persia) and was the direct descendent of the noble family coming down in direct lineage of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He was a Hasani and a Husaini Sayed. He was brought up in Khorasan and received his early education at home from his father, Hazrat Sayed Gheyasuddin (May Allah be pleased with him). At the age of 9, he committed the Holy Quran to memory. After the demise of his father, he inherited a grinding stone and a garden which formed a source of his livelihood. From an early age he loved the company of saints, mystics and dervishes. The persistent attacks and destruction of Khorasan (including Sijistan) by the hordes of Ghuzz tribe of the barbarous Tartars proved to be a turning point of his life at the early age of 14. Fired by overwhelming human passion, he was divinely inspired to renounce the world at this early age. Distributing all his worldly belongings to the poor, he went Bokhara and Samarqand to join the famous Nizamia Universities their for his theological (Shari'ah) education. He completed his academic courses brilliantly in 5 years.

13 In order to quench his spiritual thirst, he left for Iraq and on his return from there he undertook a journey to a place called Harwan or Haroon. He became a Mureed of Hazrat Khwaja Uthman Harooni (May Allah be pleased with him), a great Sufi mystic of his time. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) remained in the company of his Peer-o-Murshid and travelled with him carrying his Murshid's belongings on his head. They travelled to Mecca, Medina, Iraq, Syria, Samarqand, Afghanistan, etc. meeting many great saints. While they were in Mecca, Hazrat Khwaja Uthman Harooni (May Allah be pleased with him) took Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) to the Holy Kaaba and made Du'a for him and a voice was heard declaring, "We have accepted Mu'inuddin as one of Our beloved devotees." In Medina Shareef, while at the tomb of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Khwaja Uthman Harooni (May Allah be pleased with him) instructed Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) to offer his homage and salutations respectfully. In doing so, a voice was heard saying, "Wa Alaikumus salaam Ya Qutbul Masha'aikh -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 Peer-o-Murshid said to him, "Now indeed you have reached perfection." After full 20 years hard training in Islamic mysticism under this great Peer-o-Murshid, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin (May Allah be pleased with him) was bestowed with Khilafat in the Chistiya Silsila. His Murshid, after advising him, handed over his Asa Mubarak (Sacred Staff), wooden sandals and Musallah (prayer mat) to Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin (May Allah be pleased with him) saying that those Tabbarukaats (Blessed relics) have come down from Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in succession. In 583 A.H. when he was absorbed in prayer at the Holy Kaaba, he heard a voice saying, "O Mu'inuddin! We are greatly pleased with you. You have been given salvation. Ask for anything that you may like, "He submitted respectfully, "O Allah, give salvation to the followers and disciples of Mu'inuddin. A reply was heard, "O Mu'inuddin, you are accepted by Us. I will give salvation to your followers and disciples and also to those who may enter your fold till the Day of Qiyamat." After performing the Hajj, he was once again divinely inspired from Medina Shareef to go to Ajmer (India) to preach Islam : "O Mu'inuddin, you are the Helper of my

14 religion. I entrust to you the country of Hindustan (India). Proceed to Ajmer and spread the gospel of truth. "Not knowing where Ajmer was situated, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) came in Hazrat Khwaja's (May Allah be pleased with him) dream and showed him where the city of Ajmer was situated. On his way to Ajmer and passing through Afghanistan, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti's (May Allah be pleased with him) spiritual impact converted the notorious and cruel Yadgar Muhammad into one of Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin's (May Allah be pleased with him) devoted Mureeds. Yadgar Muhammad did not previously recognise and respect the first the first three Caliphs of Islam, neither had he any respect for Sufis nor for any holy saints. Now, after meeting Hazrat Khwaja Saheb (May Allah be pleased with him), Yadgar Muhammad repented and distributed his wealth to the poor and needy, divorced his many wives, freed all his slaves and renounced the world. He stayed and travelled with his Murshid. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) proceeded to Delhi via Fort Shadman, Multan, Lahore and Samana. At Lahore, he stayed for 40 days at the Mazaar Shareef (Shrine) of Hazrat Data Ganje Baksh - Hazrat Ali Hujweri (May Allah be pleased with him). In Delhi, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin (May Allah be pleased with him) started delivering his sermons and discourses in a soft language dipped in honey attracting thousands of Hindus and Muslims. But he had his sights on Ajmer, which had been away from the light of learning and guidance. He wanted the city of Ajmer to be the centre of learning, teaching and spiritual activities. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) reached Ajmer with about 40 followers in the year 587 A.H. Here he received fierce opposition from the ruler of Ajmer, Raja Pritvi Raj. He did nothing to antagonise the Hindu ruler. His mission was simply that of love and learning, purity and guidance. In a short time, the entire area was filled with the truth of unity of Allah. Men and women in thousands took the oath of allegiance on his hands. But this large-scale conversion to Islam displeased the Hindu ruler and he started putting the Muslims to hardships. Pritvi Raj sent Ajai pal and Sadhu Ram, Who were magicians, to destroy Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) with black magic, but they failed on every try. Ajai Pal and Sadhu Ram were so much impressed by Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) that they accepted Islam and became his devoted Mureeds.

15 A great Muslim army general, Shahabuddin Ghouri, Who was in Khorasan, saw Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) in a dream who instructed the general, "It has been ordained by Allah that you shall be the ruler of India. Direct your attention soon and arrest Pritvi Raj and punish him. "Acting upon this instruction, Shahabuddin Ghouri came to India to face the army of Pritvi Raj. The Muslim general and the small band of Muslim army, encountering fierce opposition, eventually defeated the Hindu army and went to Ajmer to pay homage to Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) and become his Mureeds. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) was an embodiment of plain living and high thinking. His noble disposition, his marvellous selfcontrol, his renunciation, self abnegation, selfless service, his patience, his love, fortitude and courage earned for him the respect from his admirers and devotees. He passed his days in Almighty Allah's remembrance. He was free from avarice and greed. He had no lust for power, no wish for name and fame, and no desire for wealth. He sought only the pleasure of Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He was deeply loved by his Peer-o-Murshid, who used to say, "Our Mu'inuddin is a beloved of Allah and I feel proud of the fact that he is my disciple. He followed the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) very faithfully in his day-to-day life. The fear of Allah ever dominated his mind. "Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (May Allah be pleased with him) says that he never saw a beggar or any needy leaving his door without taking something - one of his popular titles is "Ghareeb Nawaaz" (Lover of the Poor). Although Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) did not know the language of Hindustan because he spoke Persian, he converted about 9.5 million into the folds of Islam. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) did not conquer India with his sword but with love. The Sama mehfils (Poetic gatherings in praise of Allah and the holy Prophet (sallal laalu alaihi wasallam)) of his proved as a cementing force for the spread of Islam and brought the people together. Sheikh Mu'inudid Ibn Arabi, Hazrat Fariduddin Attar, Hazrat Shams-Tabriz and Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (May Allah be pleased with him) were all contemporaries of

16 Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him). (what a great period for Islam!) On the 14th of Jamad -us Thani 627 A.H., Khwaja Saheb (May Allah be pleased with him) bestowed the Khilafat upon Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (May Allah be pleased with him). On Monday, 6th Rajab in 627 A.H. (1236 A.D.), after the night prayers, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) went into his room and did not allow anybody to enter. When the door remained closed at the time of morning prayer, his devotees opened the door and found that Hazrat Khwaja Mu'iduddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) passed away. On his blessed forehead was written : "Haaza Habib - Allah Mata Fee Hoob-Allah" (He was the beloved of Allah, and he died in the Love of Allah). Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti's (May Allah be pleased with him) Mazaar Shareef (Shrine) is in Ajmer Shareef and thousands of people assemble there every day to pay respects to the greatest Saint of the Chistiya Silsila. During one of his travels, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) visited Balkh, where he stayed with Sheikh Khizarviya in his Khanqah (monastery). In the suburbs, there lived a very learned and famous philosopher named Hakeem Ziauddin who enjoyed a great reputation for his learning and knowledge of philosophy and logic. He never agreed with any doctrine or creed unless it was conclusively proved and supported by logic a great reputation for his learning and knowledge of philosophy and logic. He never agreed with any doctrine or creed unless it was conclusively proved and supported by logic and reason. He contended that "only lunatics could afford to waste their precious time common sense or Shari'ah. "One day while, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti's (May Allah be pleased with him) attendant was roasting a heron for supper after the days hunt, and the saint himself was busy with his evening prayers, Hakeem Ziauddin happened to pass that way. Seeing a dervish, he stopped to have a casual chat with him our of mere curiosity and fun. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him), after his prayers, at once recognised the stranger to be the same Hakeem who always used to ridicule Sufis. In the mean time, the attendant served the roast heron before his master. Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah

17 be pleased with him) invited the Hakeem hospitably to share one of the roasted heron's legs with him. No sooner had the philosopher eaten it, then he lost all his senses and became unconscious. He regained his senses only when, Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him) put a morsel from his own mouth into that of the Hakeem. Now the Hakeem had become an altogether different man and his age-long supreme knowledge of philosophy and logic had vanished. His mind entirely changed, and by this strange experience he realize the path of Sufism and all the finer points of Sufism in a few minutes. Without any argument, he at once admitted that he was wrong about the path of Sufism. He threw away all his precious library of books in a well and became one of the most ardent disciples of Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him). Later on, the Hakeem, was known to be one of the most distinguished Sufis of his time. And all this happened to an ardent opponent of Sufism, through a mere morsel of food from Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti (May Allah be pleased with him).

18 BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND CHILDHOOD by Khwaja Syed Saleem Chisty Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz was born in the year 537 Hijri corresponding to 1142 A.D. in 'Sajaz' a city in the province of Khurasan (Iran). His Father gave him the name of 'Hasan' and Moinuddin (defender of faith) was his title. His father Syed Ghayasuddin Hasan was an educated and well-known person of his time. His paternal genealogy is as under. Patternal Genealogy. Hazrat Syed Ghayasuddin s/o Hazrat Najmuddin Tahir s/o Hazrat Abdul Aziz S/o Hazrat Ibrahim S/o Hazrat Idris S/o Hazrat Moosa Kazim S/o Hazrat Jafar Sadiq S/o Hazrat Muhammad Baqar S/o Hazrat Zainul Abedin S/o Hazrat Imam Hussain (the Martyr of Karbala) S/o Hazrat Ali Radiallahu T'ala Ajmaeen. His mother's name was Bibi Umal-Warah. She traces her relationship from Hazrat Syed Imam Hasan. Maternal Geneology Hazrat Bibi Umal-Warah d/o Hazrat Daood S/o Hazrat Abdullah Hembati S.o Hazrat Zahid S/o Hazrat Muhammad Moris S/o Hazrat Moosa S/o Hazrat Abdullah Makhfi S/o Hazrat Hasan Musanna S/o Hazrat Imam Hasan S/o Hazrat Ali Radiallahu T'ala Ajmaeen. Like this, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib traces his relationship from Hazrat Imam Husain (Radiallahu T'ala Anhu) on paternal side and from Imam Hasan (Radialahu T' ala Anhu) on the maternal side. This implies the fact that Hazrat Khwaja Sahib belongs to the family of the holy prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alihi-wasallam. Poets in India have written eulogies in his honour and have address him as descendant of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu T 'ala Anhu). One famous poet of Delhi-Hazrat Dagh Dehiavi in an eulogy, which he wrote in his honour, addressed him as under:

19 Yeh Daagh kahan tak ranj sahey, Tum se na kahe to kis se kahey; Tum aale Nabi (Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) aulade Ali Sultanul-Hind Gharib Nawaz; Translation: How long Dagh should bear the sufferings If he does not ask you then to whom? You are born in the family of Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam and son of Hazrat Ali, You are King of India and redeemer of poor: Nevertheless, his parents were blessed with all sorts of wealth and material gifts. They were also blessed with moral and spiritual qualities. People looked upon them with regard and used to pay them respect honour. Describing the time of his birth, his mother says: "When Moinuddin was to be born. I used to see very pleasant and true dreams. My home filled with bounties and grace of Allah, all of our foes became our friends and there was prosperity and pleasure in our family". (Sairul Aarfeen). She further says, "When Moinuddin was a child of minor age, if any woman with body in her lap came to our home and if that baby cried to feed, Moinuddin used to point me to feed that baby with my milk and when I did so, he felt great pleasure". (Sairul 'Aarfeen) And at the age of 4-5 years, he used to share his food with his playmates. (Sairul 'Aarfeen)

20 INITIAL REVOLUTION WITH EDUCATION INITIATION AND ATTAINMENTS Hazrat Khwaja Sahib inherited a garden and a flour-mill which was enough for his maintenance. He earned his bread by selling wood and fruits in the market, but his mind never deviated from those reflections which he received in the initial stages of his life about the affairs of this world. He was not satisfied but perturbed and always thought of the trouble and turmoils, unrest and uneasiness prevailing in the human life. His desire was that the atmosphere of terror, anarchy and anihilism should come to an end. His desire was that there should be no disturbance but peace, harmony and amicable relation between the persons. His desire was that the surroundings, of hatred and conflict should change to love and tranquility, human values should be honoured. That line of thinking was not without result. He got the fruit of it. Nature selected him for the service to mankind and to bring people out of misery, he was granted high spiritual attainments. He was elevated on such a high spiritual status which was uncomparable to other saints. That spiritual elevation was the result of a simple incident which took place in the initial stage of his life and is narrated as under : It so happened that one day when he was watering his garden a totally absorbed personality named Ibrahim Qandozi, entered into his garden. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib extended warn reception to the saint and offered a bunch of fresh grapes of his garden to him. Pleased with the good manners, courtesy and hospitality of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, the saint took-out a piece of bread from his pocket, chewed it and gave it to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib without any hesitation took that chewed piece and ate it. Allah knows what was there in that chewed piece that as soon as Hazrat Khwaja Sahib ate it, a new world of vision opened before his eyes, bringing a total change in his life, with the result, that he became disgusted of the world. He sold his garden and flour mill and distributed the proceeds among the poor and needy and left the house in search of truth.

21 EDUCATION Hazrat Khwaja Sahib received his early education at home. He committed the Holy Qur'an to his memory at the age of nine. In school life his studies were concentrated in Fiqa and Hadees. But when he started his new life in quest of truth he felt that realisation of truth was not possible without good knowledge and learning, hence higher education was necessary. For that purpose, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib undertook the journey towards great centres of Islamic education like Samarqand and Bhukara and spent a good period of time there. As a matter of fact he spent the most valuable period of his young age in acquiring knowledge. When Hazrat Khwaja Sahib attained the age of thirty two and completed his education, his mind turned towards receiving spiritual education and to know the hidden secrets of nature. For that a separate course was to be completed which could not be taught in any college our university but could be learnt only in the society of those who were blessed with that knowledge. It has been mentioned in Holy Qur'an "If you want to know about Allah, to them who have been blessed with this knowledge." (Surah Furqan 59) So again he undertook the journey in search of that knowledge, and in search of that person who was blessed with the knowledge mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. INITIATION With that intension when Hazrat Khwaja Sahib reached Baghdad, he heard of the fame of the great mystic scholar Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Harvon, who was at that time staying there. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib approached him and became his disciple. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib has himself narrated the story of his becoming the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Harvon in the following words; "One day I had a chance to appear before my spiritual leader. At that time many other saints and mystics were also in his company. After few minutes, he ordered me to perform two rak'at namaz, which I did. Then he ordered me to sit with my face towards Holy Ka'aba (Makkah). I with great respect and folded knees sat like that. He then ordered me to recite Subhan Allah (praise be to Allah) sixty times, I obeyed. Next he took

22 many hand in his hand, and raised it towards the sky and said, "I have secured for thee an access to Allah". He then put upon my head a Turkish cap and asked me to sit down. Then he asked me to recite Surah Ikhlas one thousand times. When I finished it, he said, "Among our followers, everyone has to perform Mujahida (self mortification), for one day and one night 'Go to do it'. So I went in seclusion and spent one day and one night in prayer and appeared before him the next day. He permitted me to sit down. He then asked me to recite Surah Ikhlas again one thousand times, so I did. He then asked me "Look towards the heaven". I raised my eyes towards the heaven. He questioned me, "How far do you see"? I replied, "Upto the Arsh-e-Mo'alla (the Highest Throne). He then asked me, "Look below". So I did. He questioned me again "How far do you see"? I said, "Upto TahtusSara" (the lowest abyss). He then asked me to sit down and to recite Surah Ikhlas once again a thousand times, which I did. He again asked me to look towards heaven, I saw. He then questioned me "How far do you see?" I replied, "Now, I can easily see upto Hajab-e-Azmat (the great curtain over the Intensive Divine Light of Allah); He then asked me to close my eyes, I closed my eyes, after a moment, he asked me to open the eyes. So I did. Then he asked me to see through his two fingers and ordered me to narrate what I saw. I replied, "Eighteen thousand 'alam (worlds) are before me". When he heard this, he said, "Now your work is over". Then he asked me to pick-up a brick which was lying nearby. When I did so, I found some "Deenars" (gold coins) lying under it. He then asked me to take those Deenars and to distribute them among poor and needy, I complied. ATTAINTMENTS Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, after becoming the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Harvon, spent about 20 years in the company of his Murshid. He not only served his murshid whole heartedly and obeyed his commands but also travelled with him at many places and came across a number of strange incidents and experiences of his life. During travels, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib carried all the luggage on his head. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib has himself described the observations and experiences which he came across during the travels with his Murshid. He says "First of all my Murshid took me to Arabia for performance of Hajj at Makkah, my Murshid prayed for my success and salvation. After prayer, we heard a voice saying "O Usman, Moinuddin is the Moin (helper) of our religion, we have accepted him as our beloved" Hazrat Khwaja Usman then took me to

23 Madinah. There, we paid homage and salutation at the shrine of Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, there also a voice came saying, "We have accepted Moinuddin, he is the spiritual leader of all the saints on earth and our blessings are with him". Hazrat Khwaja Sahib says, "My Murshid was pleased with those informations which were received from Makkah and Madinah and told me that I had acquired the stage of perfection." Describing his experiences, he further says, "Once, when I was travelling with my Murshid, we reached at Soman in Sewastan. Here lived one Hazrat Sadruddin Ahmed Sewastani who kept himself busy in the remembrance of Allah. Till I stayed there, I used to attend him daily and got his blessings. He invariably gave some thing to every visitor, whom he requested to pray for his dying as a faithful in the love of Allah and Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam. Whenever he heard of the punishments which one will face in his grave (if he had led a sinful life) he shivered like a cane. He continuously wept bitterly for the days to come at the thoughts of those punishments. Once I approached him he was weeping. When he recovered from that state, he said "O dear, how can one be happy when he knows that death is his greatest enemy and one day he is to die and to give account of his worldly affairs". He went on saying, "If you ever know about those who are buried in the graves, that they are in the cell which is filled with scorpions and snakes, you will melt like salt". He then added, 'Once in the graveyard at Baron, when I was sitting with a saint, a dead in a nearby grave was being subjected to horrible punishments. By our intuition, both of us could see that thing. My associate, on seeing that horrible scene cried and fell upon the earth and died. I never saw any saint who was so horrified at the through of sufferings and punishments of sinful in the grave." Hazrat Khwaja Sahib further says, "While travelling with my Murshid we reached at the bank of the river Tigris (Dajla). At that time, the weather was stormy, the river was in spate. It was impossible to cross such flooded river. I felt disturbed. Understanding my apprehension, my Murshid asked me to close my eyes, which I did. After a moment, at his instance I opened my eyes and found both of us on the other side of the river. I reverently asked him as to how it happened. he replied, "I recited 'Alhamd Sharif' five times, and crossed the river."

24 Hazrat Khwaja Sahib Says, "Once while travelling with my Murshid, we reached at Awash and met a great Darvesh (saint) Hazrat Bahauddin and stayed with him for a few days. When we started to leave him, he gave us valuable advices saying, "Whatever wealth you get, do not keep it, give it away in charity in the name of Allah, so that your name be added among the friends of Allah." Hazrat Khwaja Sahib says, "While I was in the company of my Murshid, at one place, where we were sitting with other saints, there came an old man to whom my Murshid received with great respect. That old man said to him, "About thirty years back my son was lost. His where-abouts are still not known, I have been much affected by his separation. I request you to help me and to pray for his return". When my Murshid heard that, he went into meditation and after a while said to him, "Go home, and when your son comes back, bring him to me". Hearing this the old man took permission of my Murshid and went away. Next day he came to my Murshid with his son. My Murshid asked the boy, "My son, where were you?" He replied, "I was in a boat, the owner of the boat had tied me with a chain. While I was sitting, a saint who was like you came to me. He opened my chain and asked me to standup. Then he asked me to close my eyes. After a while he asked me to open the eyes. When I opened the eyes, I found myself standing at the door of my house". Hazrat Khwaja Sahib had described a number of such incidents. Because of want of space all of them cannot be narrated here. What can only be said is that in the service of his spiritual leader and under his guidance he attained high spiritual attainments and achieved everything for which he had left his home. When his Murshid himself said, "O, Moinuddin, your object of life is achieved". he had actually earned the fruit of years of labour, trials, troubles and sacrifices. Ultimately his spiritual leader, pleased with his services and sacrifices and satisfied with his education and spiritual attainments, accepted him as his spiritual successor and entrusted to him all the sacred relics. Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Harvon after accepting Hazrat Khwaja Sahib as his spiritual successor gave him certain valuable advices and went in seclusion. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib separated from his spiritual leader at the age of fifty two and went again to Makkah and then to Madinah.

25 MUNAJJAT-E-KHWAJA GHARIB NAWAZ The Munajaat, "Supplications" which Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Rahmatullah 'Alaihi used to recite in his life before the Lord of the worlds. Please read carefully translation then recite the same. TRANSLATION O' Allah! You are the only One to forgive me; As I am culprit and sinner completely, O' Allah! You are the only One to connive my faults and defects, O' Allah! Confer upon me with your Mercy the repentence; So that I should entreat your forgiveness every moment, O' Allah! Bestow your Mercy upon me at the time of agonies of my death; For the sake of your beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, So that those moments become easy for me, O' Allah! Illuminate my grave with the effulgence of your When it will become dark and furious upon me, O' Allah! Forgive my sins and firm my belief in you; As Mo'een is praying before you weeping bitterly, forgiveness;

26 FROM MADINAH TO AJMER Hazrat Khwaja Sahib during his stay at Madinah saw a dream in which Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam directed him to go to India and to reform the moral and social status of the people of that country. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib knew nothing about India. He did not know where that country was and how to go there. But again in a dream he was given all sorts of proper guidance. So, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib made himself ready to go to India and started his journey. After receiving that spiritual command, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib left Madinah and reached Baghdad. At that time many saints were present there. They warmly received Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. After staying for a few days at Baghdad, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib left for Hamdan, then he left for Asfahan. From Asfahan, Via Hirat, Sabzawar and Balkh, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib reached Lahore, the famous city of northern India. It will not be out of place to narrate here the incident of Sheikh Muhammad Yadgar's accepting Hazrat Khwaja Sahib as his spiritual leader and becoming his disciple. Sheikh Muhammad Yadgar was the Governor of Sabzawar and was the follower of Shia sect of Muslims. He was a very cruel and notorious man. He was addicted to wine and his habits were bad. People of Sabzawar were afraid of him. When Hazrat Khwaja Sahib reached Sabzawar, he found a beautiful garden outside the city. As he was very much tired, he entered the garden to take rest for some time. This garden was the personal property of Shaikh Muhammad Yadgar and no public man was allowed to enter into it. When servants of the Governor found Hazrat Khwaja Sahib in the garden, busy in prayers, they were much impressed with his person and personality. They dared not ask Hazrat Khwaja Sahib to leave the garden and to stay at some other place. Shortly the servants learnt that Shaikh Muhammad Yadgar was coming to the garden for rest. With that news they all were frightened and worried as they knew the nature of their master, but had no courage to say anything to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. After few minutes, Shaikh Muhammad Yadgar arrived in the garden. While walking leisurely, he reached the place where Hazrat Khwaja Sahib was sitting. At that time too Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his disciples were busy in prayers. When the Governor saw

27 those fakirs into his garden, he lost his temper. He abused and scolded his servants and asked them why did they allow those people to enter and stay there? In this temper, with the intention to insult and harm those fakirs, the Governor went near Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib raised his head and looked at the Governor. As soon as their eyes met, the Governor lost his senses and fell upon the floor. Looking that condition of their Governor, the servants were terrified. They fell upon the feet of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and tendered apology on behalf of their Governor. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib smiled. He asked one of his disciples to bring some water. He recited some verses of the Holy Qur'an on the water and sprinkled it on the face of the Governor. The Governor recovered his senses. He fell upon the feet of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and tendered apology. He then requested Hazrat Khwaja Sahib to bless him with spiritual knowledge. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib advised him to be honest, faithful and sincere. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib asked him to return all the wealth of the people which he had illegally and unlawfully acquired. Shaikh Mohammed Yadgar was so impressed with the admonitions of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib that he abdicated the post, sold out his property, distributed the proceeds among the needy and the poor and joined the company of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. After staying for few days at Lahore, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib went to Delhi and from there he arrived at Ajmer.

28 BEGINNING OF REFORMS AND SPIRITUAL CONFRONTATIONS After passing through the troubles and trials, suffering and oppressions which came across during the long journey and facing all the dangers which came in their way from Arabia to this country, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib arrived at Ajmer together with his followers which are said to be forty in number. Their arrival and dwelling on the soul of Ajmer was not their ultimate destination. They had before them an stupendous task of enlightment and reform, which under those unfavourable circumstances in which they arrived and settled here, was apparently looked impossible, not only this that the circumstances were unfavourable or that the atmosphere of hatred and conflict was prevailing on every step, another very important factor which cannot be ignored was that they were dwelling at a place which was new for them in all respects. This country, this city, this place, and the environments in which they had to work, were all new, the people, their tongue, their culture and the way of living every thing was different. They all were unsafe, unsecured and unprotected. They did not have any acquaintance with any body, had no friends or sympathisers but - "Heart within and Allah over head" Inspite of all sorts of oppressions, prosecutions, and oppositions, they were neither disturbed, nor disheartened. Though, they were old and weak, but strength of faith and action was ordained in them, they possessed the qualities of courage, truth and contentment, the spiritual power which was their only wealth, was with them and was apparent from their faces too. They were endued with knowledge, wisdom and character, they were accustomed to lead such a hard life, they were free from all types of worries and also from that human weakness which misleads and misguides a man under such unfavourable circumstances. Under all sorts of adversities, they were always ready and prepared to perform their duties towards Allah and the human society. As a matter of a fact, those qualities were their weapon, their strength, their power and it was through those qualities that they won the heart of the people, brought a revolution

29 in human life, success kissed their feet, they brought people from darkness into light and led them towards achievement of higher human values. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers did not come to conquer land, or make people slaves or to establish worldly kingdom, what to say to army or weapons, they did not even possessed sufficient means of livelihood. The only purpose of their arrival was to serve the people and to take them out from darkness and blasphemy and to lead them on the path of truth and love which they successfully did. Because, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib was sent to India with the only purpose of service to humanity, therefore, he was blessed with high spiritual powers. Those spiritual powers were exhibited only at time of dare need. The exhibition of supernatural powers is called "Karamat". Miracle and Karamat The performance of spiritual act by Prophets is called "Miracle", while the exhibition of any supernatural power by any body else, particularly by the saints, cannot be said a miracle, but it can be called "Supernatural power" or the "Karamat". At Ajmer, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers were surrounded by opponents and were expose to harassment by them. There was always likelihood of dispute and discrimination. There existed fear of direct conflict and confrontations with them. Those confrontations did take place when he reached Ajmer and started his sublime mission of enlightment and reform. First Spiritual Confrontation At Ajmer when Ajmer Khwaja Sahib settled himself under the shadow of a tree, the servants of the Raja came and audaciously asked him to leave that place as that was reserved as a resting place for the Raja's camels, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib saying "The camels shall rest here" left that place and went to the bank of Anasagr Lake". In the morning when the servants came they found the camels still resting. They tried their best to make the animals stand up, but failed. The animals could not stand up, as if the soil had caught hold of them. That was the effect of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib's words.

30 The servants were surprised, they realised the situation and went in search of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. They found him at the bank of Anasagar Lake. They extended their apology and requested Hazrat Khwaja Sahib to pray for animals so that they may standup, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib smiled and said, "Go, your animals are standing up", When the servants returned, they found the camels in standing position. This is said to be the first Karamat Hazrat Khwaja Sahib had shown on the soil of Ajmer, but as a matter of fact entrance in the city and settlement on the strange land was in itself a great Karamat. Second Spiritual Confrontation Hazrat Khwaja Sahib settled permanently at the bank of Anasagar Lake. One day it so happened that some followers of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib hunted few birds and were ready to eat them, then some persons came and started quarrelling with Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers. The reason was that according to Indian Mythology hunting and slaughter of animals and birds is prohibited and is against their religion. Those persons were armed and wanted to attack Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib was against any fight with them, so, to avoid that undesirable clash, he had to bring in use his supernatural power. He took some sand in his hand, recited some verses of the Holy Quran and threw it towards those who came to fight. The result was that all of them became senseless and kept standing at the same spot where they were. When they recovered their sense they felt ashamed and returned back. Third Spiritual Confrontation One day the inhabitants of Ajmer asked Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers not to use the water of Anasagar Lake. That threat invited an open conflict, but Hazrat Khwaja Sahib avoided it by resorting to his supernatural power. He sent one of his followers to Anasagar Lake with a small pot and asked him to bring water in it. To the great surprise of every one, immediately with the fetching of water in a small pot the whole Lake became dry. When the people saw that, they again went to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and requested him to supply them water. On their giving a sacred promise that he and his

31 followers will not be harassed for water, he ordered the small pot to be emptied into the Lake. Instantaneously, the dry lake again filled with water as usual. Those supernatural powers became the source of great fame of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and people began to flock around him for his blessings. Many people accepted Islam and others gave him honour and became his devotees. Fourth Spiritual Confrontation When the fame of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, and his supernatural powers spread far and wide and people started together around him, the persons of other religion felt, that, a day may come, when he will become a great force and then it would be very late to reckon with him. So they made a plan to get him out of the city. They went to a sadhu and requested him to wage a tantric war against Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. The sadhu agreed and came to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. The followers of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib were afraid of that sadhu but Hazrat Khwaja Sahib consoled them that Allah was at their rescue and He will always be at their help. When the sadhu came, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib just glanced at him and the result was that sadhu forgot all his magical tantra and could do no harm to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. He fell upon the feet of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and accepted Islam and entered his fold. He was called Shadi Dev and his tomb is still near the Chilla of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. Final Spiritual Confrontation The victory of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib over Shadi Dev created anxiety among the people. So they went to Jogi Ajay Pal. Ajay Pla was a great magician and possessed high tantric powers. He was also related to the Raja. He had renounced the world and was leading a saintly life and lived in the hills. He had a large number of pupils. When people went to him and implored him to help them, he became ready. One day with thousands of people, Jogi Ajay Pal went to the place where Hazrat Khwaja Sahib was living. When devotees of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib saw them coming they were worried. They informed Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib told them not to worry and knowing the intention of his opponents, drew a circle and advised his followers to sit and to remain inside it.

32 When Jogi Ajay Pal came near Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, He and His disciples started to recite 'mantars' with the result that big stones started to fly towards Hazrat Sahib, but none of them could reach Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, and fell away from that circle which he had drawn around him and his followers. The circle served as a fortress against the magical attacks of Ajay Pal. Then the Jogi recited another mantar and produced snakes and other poisonous creatures. Those creatures ran towards Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, but as soon as they reached the circle, they were burnt. When Jogi failed in his first two attempts, he lost his temper and his last attack was to create fire but that fire also could do no harm to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, and his companions. Ajay Pal accepted his defeat. He tendered apology and fell upon the feet of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib forgive him. At his request Hazrat Khwaja Sahib accepted him as his disciple. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib asked him to accept Islam, which he willingly did. Then Hazrat Khwaja Sahib enrolled him in his fold and gave him the Islamic name of Abdullah, he preached and practised Islam throughout his life. The Jogi's becoming Muslim was a great victory for Islam in India. Many people accepted Islam and the number of converts to Islam was increasing day to day.

33 DEATH? NAY-LIFE ETERNAL!!! His purpose of visit to this country was accomplished. He had opened the way of righteousness with a new world of vision, ideas and ideals. He was fully satisfied and as such spent most of his time in absorption. At last that time arrived for which the man of Allah awaits. The time to join the ultimate truth, to see Him whose commands he carried-out throughout his life. Whose laws he abode and did not forget Him for a moment. This time for the friend of Allah is the time when he witnesses His Light and unites with Him. This particular time which in general is called the time of death is not the time of death for the man of Allah but the time of "Unity" with Him and to gain eternal life and to become immortal, hence this time of his physical departure from this world and spiritual communion with Allah, is called the time of "Wisal" i.e. Union. According to one of his own sayings : "Death is a bridge which unites friend with the Friend" And according to the Holy Qur'an, those who die in the way of Allah i.e. while performing service to humanity or with active striving in the way of "Truth" which is the way of Allah are not dead, but they are alive, though no body has power to perceive that eternal life to whom Allah grants them as a reward of their strive in His way i.e. the way of truth, service and sacrifice those verses of the Holy Qur'an are as under- "And say not of those who are slain (or die) in the way of Allah "They are dead", Nay, they are living through ye perceive (it) not". (2:154) It was on 6th Rajab 633 Hijri that he breathed his last and a true lower united with his "Beloved" and got the life eternal. At the time of his physical departure a writing appeared on his forehead, which reads as under: "He was the beloved of Allah and died in the love of Allah"