MASTER ASEEL'S WEBSITE - Khwaja Gharib Nawaz

BIRTH & FAMILY

Hazrat Khwaja Mueenuddin Chishty (Allah's Mercy be on him) was born in Sanjar (Iraq), also known as Sajistan. His birth, accoridng to some, is 14th Rajab or 11th Rajab 536 A.H. and also 9th Jamadil Akhar 523 A.H. (Aayeena-e-Tasawwuf).

His father Sayed Ghiyasuddin Hasan (Husaine) Allah’s was wealthy as well as pious. His mother Sayida Mahinoor (Allah's Mercy be on her) (Hasani) was also a very pious lady. Both the parents were descendent of the family of Hazrat Ali (Allah be pleased with him).

Thus Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz’s (Allah's Mercy be on him) lineage can be traced to Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and Peace be on him).

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EDUCATION

Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz received his early education at home and by the age of 9 he memorised the Holy Qur’aan (Hafiz). Later he had his preliminary schooling at Soyar, Bohara and Khorasan. He mastered Fiqh (Theology and Islamic Jurisprudence), Tradition (Hadis) and commentary of the Holy Qur’aan (Tafsir). His mother expired and soon there was disturbance in the country.

Hazrat Khwaja Sahab and his father left Sanjar and reached Neeshapur, a well known intellectual town. There they bought an orchard with a windmill and settled peacefully. His father passed away in 552 A.H., when Hazrat Khwaja Sahab was 15 years old. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) worked in the orchard as it was the only means of livelihood, but the prayed regularly and even helped needy persons.

One day he met a saint, Hazrat Ibrahim Qardozi (Allah's Mercy be on him) and his life changed. Hazrat Khwaja Sahab offered some grapes to the mystic and in return the latter gave Hazrat Khwaja Sahab Sonkhur (till cakes) with blessing. No sooner did he eat it then his heart was enlightened. He disposed all his things and belongings and distributed the proceedings among the poor and needy and set off in quest of knoweledge and truth. He came to Bokhara and mastered Oriental sciences and litereture. Later he preceeded to Samarqand and perfected in philosophy and grammar. Then from Khina and Tus he came to Haruan (Haroon).

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MEETING KHWAJA USMAN HAROONI

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) attention was now drawn from academic education to a spiritual enlightenment .

Here he met a great Darvesh Hazrat Khwaja Usman-e-Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him) (510 A.H.-617 A.H.) and became his follower. Hazrat Khwaja Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him) became the spiritual preceptor (Pir-o-Murshad) and Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) became his devoted Mureed and later on his spiritual successor. His intense devotion brought him special recognition and he attained unique mastery over Ethos and Sufism.

Hazrat Khwaja Sahab lived in the company of Hazrat Usman-e-Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him) for 20 years. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) practised austerity and sincerity to Allah so as to reach towards one of His beloveds.

At the conclusion of long apprentice Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) travelled from Haroon, passed through Bagdad, Khirqan, Mazindan, Isfahan and Tabrez before reaching Makka. He prayed to Allah at Makka. Paid his tributes at Madina to Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and Peace be on him). Here he was instructed by Allah’s Messenger (Blessing og Allah and Peace be on him) to proceed to India to spread Islam and do missionary work. He returned to bagdad and spent a month with his spiritual mentor, Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him). He passed through other famous places like Heart, Sabzuar and Ghazni and finally reached Punjab, crossed river Rani and camped at the tomb of Hazrat Dataa Ganj Baksh at Lahore. He was accompanied by Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyaar Qaki (Allah's Mercy be on him).

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KHWAJA GARIB NAWAZ - A DESCIPLE OF USMAN HAROONI

Hazrat Khwaja Mueenuddin Chishty (Allah`s Mercy be on him) was the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni (Allah`s Mercy be on him) for 20 years. He obtained enlightenment, Super consciousness and power from his spiritual mentor. His initiation as a disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni (Allah`s Mercy be on him) was a turning point in his life. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz writes in his book ‘Anisul arwah’ about his initiation, his travelsand his contact with other saints and draveshes.

Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz stood respectfully before Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni in the mosque of Hazrat Khwaja junaid of Bagdad, where other spiritual luminaries were present. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni asked Hazrat Khawja Garibnawaz to first pray twon raka`at namaaz and after that to sit facing the Qibla and recite sura Bagaraa. When he had finished he was asked to recite Darood Sharif 21 times, followed by `Subhaanallah` 21 times. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz fulfilled all the instructions of his spiritual guide implicitly. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni had great affection for his disciple and invoked blessings of Allah upon him and made him an enlightened person.

Then Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni placed a pour edged cap on the head of Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz, made him sit down and recite sura lkhlas (Q.112) 1000 times. Accroding to the custom, Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz was instructed to undergo one day and one night of worship i.e. mujaheda. Next day, when Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz presented himself before his murshad, he was again instructed to pray Sura lkhlas 1000 times. When Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz had finished praying, Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni asked him to look towards the Heaven and inform as to how far he could see. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz replied that he could see up to Arsh-e-Moalla i.e. Throne of Allah. Then he asked to look down and inform what he saw. Hazrat Khwaja Garib nawaz replied that he saw Tehtus Sara i.e. Abyss.

Once again Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni requested Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz to pray 1000 times Sura Iklas (Purity of Faith) and asked him how far he saw up in the sky. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz replied that he could see up to Hijaab-e- Azmat i.e. The Great Hidden. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e- Harooni then asked Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz to close his eyes and then ordered him to open them. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni then showed his two fingers and asked Hazrat Khwaja garibnawaz as to what he saw therein. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz replied that he could see 18,000 worlds. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni said that his probation was over and asked Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz to pick up a brick lying nearby. On picking up the brick Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz found some dinaars (gold coins) which his amster requested him to distribute among the poor and destitutes. Hazrat Khwaja garibnawaz complied with the wishes of Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni and then lived I his company for sometime.

After his initiation Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz stayed with his teacher for 20 years and became very close to him. He personally carried this master’s bedding, drinking water and food in all his travels. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz received both spiritual and practical lessons from Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni and had experiences in their travels whereby he became a perfect darvesh.

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TRAVELLING WITH KHWAJA USMAN HAROONI

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz and Hazrat Khwaja Usman-e-Harroni (Alla’s Mercy be on them) travelled extensively to different countries and me many Darvishes, Sages and Saints. Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz gained much from them and became enriched with their knowledge and advice. It helped him to understand the Divine mystery and to reform his inner self. Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz , with the help of his spiritual teacher Hazrat Khwaja Usman-e-Harooni (Allah’s Mercy be on him), mastered intrinsic knowledge and gained spiritual insight.

Some of the holy men that Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) met are:

1. Hazrat Shaikh Bahuddin Awashi of Awash. He said to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib that one of the ways to become a beloved if Allah is to feed the poor and the destitutes.

2. An aged Darvish aged 100 years in Badukhshan. He instructed Hazrat Khwaja Sahib to observe austerity and simplicity to become the beloved of Allah.

3. Sadruddin Sevistani of Sevistan, he was know as the wailing saint, and he advised Hazrat Khwaja Sahib to practice devotion to Allah and keep the company of pious ad Allah-fearing people so as to avioid sins and be safe from the tortures of the grave.

4. Hazarat Ahuddin Kirmani and Aarif Reogiri at Kirman. Here Hazrat Khwaja Sahib learnt that Allah by His Grace always comes to help His beloveds in times of need. Also by the Grace and order of Allah a Darvesh must show a miracle (karamat) when necessary.

5. Shaikh Abu Najeeb Suharwardy (555 A.H.).

6. Abu sayeed Aluf Khair of Afghanistan.

7. Shaikh Abul Hasan Khirgani at Khirgan.

8. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Saeed Tabrezi at Tabrez (5551 A.H.) 9. Shaikh Yusuf Hamdani at Hamdan.

10. Shaikh Mahmood Isphani at Isphahan.

11. Shaikh Nasiruddin Asterabadi, 170 years old, at Astrabd (555 A.H.)

12. Ablind Darvesh in Bukhara.

During their travels, Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz and HZRAT Khwaja Usman-e-harooni (Allah's Mercy be on them) also visited many tombs of holy men and Prophets. In Damascus mosque, they paid homage at the (12000 approximatly) tombs of Prophets. At Herat they camped at the masoleum of Hazrat Khwaja Abdullah Ansaari (Allah's Mercy be on him).

In Isphahan (583 A.H.) Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz came in contact with Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi (Allah's Mercy be on him) and enrolled him as his disciple. In a dream Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz had the honour of seeing Allah’s Messenger (Blessing of Allah and Peace be on him) and being instructed to make Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi his seniormost spiritual disciple and caliph. In the mosque of Abul Lais of Samarqanr (Russia), Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz accepted hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi as his spiritual disciple. At this time in 586 A.H. Hazrat Khwaja Qutbudding Bakhtiyar Qaqi was 17 years old. Shaikh Sahabuddin, Shaikh Dawood Kirmani, Shaikh Burhanuddin Muhammed Chishty and Shaikh Tajuddin Muhammed Asfahani were present.

When Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz reached Gail (i.e. Jilan near Mountain Judi, he met Hazrat Shaikh Mueenuddin abdul Qadir Jilani, known as Gausul Aazam Dastagir (Allah's Mercy be on him). They spent many days together and Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz received many blessing and spiritual benefits from Hazrat Gaus Paak, the mother of Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz is a cousin of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (Allah's Mercy be on him) , both being the grandchildren of Hazrat Abdullh Al-Hamboli (Allah's Mercy be on him).

Near Herat in Bagdad in the city of Chisht, now known as Shaqlan. Here the spiritual guide and teacher Hazrat Mumshad Ala Deenori initiated Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaque Sami of Syria. He commanded his disciple to pray and worship Allah and to spread Islam in Chisht and gave his spiritual disciple in the name of Abu Ishaque Chishty. He also instructed that any one who enters this spiritual fold or seat should be called a Chishty. At this time also four eminent teachers and natives of Chisht Practiced and preached Islam and also died in Chisht. Thus the Chishtiya order i.e. Silsila gradually developed and spread. The four teachers were.

1. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmed Chishty.

2. Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Ahmed Chishty

3. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishty.

4. Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Maudood Chishty (Allah's Mercy be on them).

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz suffixed Chishty to his name. Hazrat Khwaja Mueenuddin Chishty (Allah's Mercy be on him) as he was the spiritual disciple of Hzrat Khwaja Usman-e-Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him) and traced his spiritual relation to Hazrat Khwaja Ishaque Sami Chishty (Allah's Mercy be on him).

Form Herat Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz proceeded to Subzwar in Afganistan, he entered in a beautiful garden to rest and pray. The ruler and the owner of the garden Yadgar Muhammed was furious and shouted at the servants. Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz looked at him angrily and no sooner than Yadgar Muhammed saw him he trembled and fell down unconscious. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib prayed and prinkled some water on his face. This tyrant rural was transformed and he implored for forgiveness, distributed his wealth among the poor, returned the property to the rightful owners and offered prayers to Allah. He lived in the company of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and later on became his disciple and completed his inner and outward education. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib ordered Yadgar Muhammed to stay in Hisar (Afganistan) to preach Islam to the people.

From Hisar Hazrat Khwaja Sahib proceeded to Balkh and stayed in the monastery (Khankah) of Shaikh Ahmed Khazroya. One day Hazrat Khwaja Saheb met Maulana Ziauddin Hakim and transformed him. Maulana Ziauddin Hakim was a proud teacher, aginst sufism and all for philosophy and rationalism. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib offered him a piece of roasted meat of the hunted deer to eat, and the moment Maulana Ziauddin Hakim ate it he was a changed man. His heart was purified and realized the divine secrets. He drowned his books on philosophy in the river and forsooth his old habits. By the Grace of Allah Maulana Ziauddin Hakim became the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. He was appointed by Hazrat Khwaja Saheb as his caliph for Balkh. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib then proceeded to Ghazni and met Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Wahid (Allah's Mercy be on him), a great saint. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib preached Islam, emphasized Jehad upon the people and importance of prayers.

Hazrat Khwaja Sabih accompanied by Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi (Allah's Mercy be on him) came to India through Shadman, Multan and Lohore. En route Hazrat Khwaja Sahin learnt Pali and Sanskrit languages. In Lahore he camped meditated at the tomb of Data Ganj Baksh Hajweri (Allah's Mercy be on him) for some days. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his followers arrived in Ajmer via Delhi in 561 A.H. – 1165 A.D.

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MIRACLES AFTER DEMISE

There are many living miracles of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib even after his demise. Allah holds Hazrat Khwaja Sahib in high rank and is pleased with him because he has strived for the cause fo Allah. (9:20, n. 1271 Yusuf Ali) (40 :7-8, n. 4365 Yusuf Ali). To gain blessings by making the soul of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib as means to gain benefits is permissible. As these effects are shown by Allah alone. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib showed supernatural powers whilst alive as well as dead because the supernatural powers are nothing but the mannifestations of his miracles by the Grace of Allah. It is through Hazrat Khwaja Sahib that Allah fulfils desires because we know that Hazrat Khwaja Sahib is close to Allah and loved by Him.

Tunku Abdurrahman was campaigning for election for the post of prime minister. But success seemed quite remote and he was perturbed. One day a faqir came to Tunku Abdurrahman and informed him that if he promised to pay a visit to the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib at Ajmer in India, then he would surely win.

It seems that Hazrat Khwaja Sahib had instructed the faqir in a dream to give this message to Tunku Abdurrahman. Tunku Abdurrahman promised him and he later on won the election and became the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Later Tunku Abdurrahman and his wife paid a visit at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. (Times of India 10th October 1962 and The Statesman 9th October 1962).

Once a couple with their children visited Ajmer to perform Ziyarat in the 1978 Urs of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib. In the maddening crows they were seperated. Soon the husband and wife were united and later on the daughter also was found. But the 7 year old son could not be traced, as the day was trampled to death by the crowd. Some of the volunteers found the dead boy and brought it out in the coutyard. No sooner did the weeping parents saw their dead son they began wailing. They could not believe that instead of receiving blessings and gifts at this holy place, they were being deprived of their only son. They were extremely aggrieved and disheartened. Soon a crowd gathered around them and an old darvesh appeared. He asked the old lady to give him alms in the name of Allah and said that everything would be well. The sad mother gave a five rupee note to the darvesh who after accepting it whispered some Qur’aanic verses on the dead boy his hand. By the Grace of Allah the boy got up and embraced his mother. Everyone watching the sorrowful eventturned joyful. But when the woman turned to thank the darvesh, he had disappeared.

One day a woman who was barren came to Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s shrine and prayed that she may give birth to a son. She promised that she would visit Hazarat Khwaja Sahib with her child and that she would then throw him in the Deg (cauldron). This deg is very huge and the food cooked here is distributed to all, after the morning prayers. The next year, by the Grace of Allah and Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s blessings this lady came with her son to visit the shrine of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib. She thanked Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and prayed for her son to be saved and then threw him in the deg. BY Allah’s Mercy and Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s command the hot food did not burn the child. The people safely took him out and gave it to the mother. She thanked Allah and Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and showered praises on Hazarat Khwaja Sahib.

When the food in the deg is cooked the Andar Kotewalas (a clan of people) after wrapping themselves with rubber clothes, climb into the deg by the stairs attached to it. They dip the buckets into the deg and pull out the niaz (sweet rice prepared with dry fruits). When their hands cannot reach the rice they jump into the deg by saying Khwaja Garibnawaz. Then they fill the buckets and pass it up to the people standing at the mount of the cauldron (deg). The dey and the food in very hot, yet the people in the deg as well as those helpers outside are not burnt or harmed. No blisters appear on their hands. This is the living miracle of the power of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and until now no accident has occurred.

There are two degs on the eastern and western side of the main door, Bulund Darwaza. The digger deg has a circumference of 39 feet and its depth is 15 feet. Akbar had presented it in 976 A H to commemorate his victory over the fort of Chitorgadh. The second deg was presented by Jahangir in 1022 A H.

The quantum of spiritual favours and munificence showered by Hazarat Khwaja Sahib upon humanity is unlimited. The people with insight proclaim that just as power of the stormy restless waves cascade on the shores levelling all the land around, similarily the ever flowing spiritual magnanimity of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s is impatient to reach out to all without any distinction. To achieve success one must follow the teachings of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and have faith in Allah. “O ye believers do your duty of Allah, seek the means of approach unto him (Q. % : 38 – Sura Maida, verse 38).

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KHWAJA GARIB NAWAZ IN HARAMAIN SHARIF

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz and Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni started for pilgrimage to Makka in 562 A.H. On the way they rested in the mosque in Falooja (Iraq on the bank of Tigris. When they reached the Holy city of Makka they entered the Haram Sharif and prayed at the Ka’aba. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni prayed for the success and salvation of Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz which was accepted. A voice was heard by them : “We have accepted Mueenuddin”.

Then after Hajj they reached Madina and offered their homage and salutation at the Roza-e-Muqaddas of Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and Peace be on him). At the request of Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-harooni, Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaaz offered his reverential salaam and in response he heard ‘Walaikum Assalaam Ya Qutbul Mashaikh-e-Bahr-O-Bar (Peace be on you, O the Head of all the pious on the earth). On hearing this, Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni remarked that hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz had reached perfection. Hazrat Khwaja Usmaan-e-Harooni loved Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz very much and was proud that the latter was his Khalifa. He also said about Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz as ‘ Mueenuddin Mehboob-e- Haque’ i.e. Mueenuddin is a beloved friend of Allah.

Hazrat Khwaja Gribnawaz meditated at the tomb of Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and Peace be on him) for many days and later he had an intention to go to India to spread Islam and to stay at Ajmer. On receiving this mandate Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz was immensely pleased but wondered as to where Ajmer was situated. In the meantime he dozed off and was blessed by seeing Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and Peace be on him) in a dream. Allah’s Messenger showed Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz the fort and situation of the city of Ajmer, gave hom a pomegranate from heaven and bade farewell.

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz passed through many cities and countries. He met many holy and paid his respects to them. He used to pray the Qur’aan twice daily and sleep in the masque or graveyards. His fame spread before him and was always surrounded by crowds. At Lahore, he learnt Sanskrit and Prakit languages. At lat from Lahore he came to Delhi and from there to Ajmer in 1193 A.D. He had about forty followers with him.

It is written in Sijrul Arifeen, Saiyarul Aktab and Aktibasul Awar, that when Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz took leave of his spiritual preceptor, he was 52 years old. He had received the Khirqai Khilaafat from him in 582 A.H. and reached Ajmer in 587-588 A.H.

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DEFEAT OF PRITHVIRAAJ CHAUHAN

Hazrat Khwaja Garibnawaz (Allah's Mercy be on him) began to preach and propagate Islam at Ajmer. His teachings were listened to with reverence and rapt attention. His simplicity and loving nature made people flock up to him. People began to embrace Islam as it now came to them as a message of hope and deliverance. But this mass scale conversion and ever growing popularity of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib displeased the ruler Rai Pathora i.e. Prithviraj Chauhan. He was always seeking an opportunity to harass Hazrat Khwaja Sahib.

When Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his companions came to Ajmer they camped at a shady grove of trees (now Alamgiri mosque). The Raja’s camel keepers objected as it was the resting place of their camels. They complained to the Raja and the royal sepoys forced Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and his companions to quit. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib went away saying, “Now the camels shall sit here.” The next day, when the camel drivers tried to raise the camels they failed to do so. The camel drivers realized their mistake and apologized to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, who forgave them and said, “Now the cales will get up. “When the camel drivers returned they were surprised to see the camels standing. This news reached Pritviraj Chauhan and he was very much perturbed.

From the camel’s resting place, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and others shifted to Ana Sagar lake and settled there. They used the water for their ablution and for dwelling purposes. The non-Muslims and Brahmins thought that Muslims had made the water imputer by their touch. They would not allow the Muslims to take water and tried to put many restrictions and also complained to Pritviraj Chauhan. The Raja poasted military around Ana Sagar and ordered that Muslims should not be allowed to take water.

The next day the companions came back with out water and complained to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib of the sepoys’ rude behaviour. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib then himself went tot eh lake to fetch water in his dowl (kooza or kaasa). When the soldiers tried to stop him, he just looked at them with his piercing eyes and they could no nothing. As soon as the bowl was full, the water in the lake began to recede and there was shortage of water in the whole city. The public panicked and demanded Pritviraj Chauhan to do something. Pritviraj Chauhan tried in vain to restore water. People complained and demanded that he realize his mistake. At last Pritviraj Chauhan himself went to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib and apologized and promised not to ban water on any human being. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib prayed to Allah and emptied the bowl in the lake. By the Grace of Allah, the water in the Ana Sagar lake swelled up. This miracle made many people embrace Islam and respect Hazrat Khwaja Sahib.

A Rajput chief in the court of Pritviraj Chauhan got converted to Islam and this irritated Pritviraj Chauhan. Also, a devotee of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib one day praised Hazrat Khwaja Sahib in the court. This enraged Pritviraj Chauhan and he harassed him. The rajput courtier sought the help of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. When everything failed, Pritviraj Chauhan sent his active supporters Sadi Deva (Chief Priest) and Ajai pal (his spiritual guru) to fight Hazrat Khwaja Sahib with their magical powers. Their magical attacks proved futile against Hazrat Khwaja Sahib’s divine powers. At last they repented and embraced Islam and this was a blow to the power and prestige to Pritviraj Chauhan. With the support f Ajai Pal (named Abdullah Bayabani) and Sadi Deva, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib’s missionary work flourished. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib once again extended his cordial invitation to Pritviraj Chauhan to accept Islam but Pritviraj Chauhan refused.

Pritviraj Chauhan’s mother was a wise and learned woman. Through astronomy and astrology, she ahd come to know the future of her son. It was predicted that his downfall would occur by the displeasure of a holy pious person, a mendicant (faqir). Pritviraj Chauhan was warned by his mother and told not to harass Hazrat Khwaja Sahib. But he was intoxicated with power and paid no heed to the grave warning and acted very rashly.

Pritviraj Chauhan incurred the displeasure of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib after the first battle of Tarain in 1191 AD. His victory over Muhammed Shahabuddin Ghori turned his head and he ill-treated Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, his copanions and his followers. Pritviraj Chauhan called Hazrat Khwaja Sahib an ordinary faqir and retorted in his durbar that the faqir should get out of Ajmer. This newsreached Hazrat Khwaja Sahib who simply remarked, “We have captured Pritviraj Chauhan alive and handed him over to Muslim army.”

Depressed and weary Shahabuddin Ghori retired to bed and he dreamt that an old pious man advised him to march to India. He was instructed to attack Pritviraj Chauhan again and that he would be victorious. When he awoke, he mobilized his army and attacked Pritviraj Chauhan. In the second battle of Tarain 1192 AD

Pritviraj Chauhan was defeated, captured and killed. His mother’s prophecy proved true. The Sultan installed Pritviraj Chauhan’s son on the throne on the payment of conditional annual payment. Shahabuddin Ghori went to Ajmer and paid his repects to Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, whom he recognized as the same person in his dream who had instructed him to fight and win a crowning victory.

With the fall of Pritviraj Chauhan, Hazrat Khwaja Sahib Freely set his head quarters in Ajmer. He sent forth his disciples to all parts of the country to preach and spread Islam. His main aim was to root out ignorance, superstition and oppression.

Islam came as a message of hope and deliverance from the tyranny of the higher castes. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib’s sympathy was universal and he spent his life in the service of Allah and humanity. He lived a humble saintly life praying and preaching and performing many miracles by the Grace of Allah.

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A UNIQUE MIRACLE

Once Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi was having a walk with Sultan Altamash when suddenly a woman crying bitterly appeared. ON being asked to relate her problem she demanded that she should be married to Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi as she was now carrying his child. The Sultan and his courtiers were all aghast at the accusation, as all knew Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi to be a man of morals and religious piety. Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi himself was dumb founded but he did not lose courage. He prayed to Allah and turned in the direction of Ajmer and invoked the help of his Pir-o-Murshad, Hazarat Khwaja Sahib.

By the Grace of Allah, Hazarat Khwaja Sahib apeared before him and asked the reason for remembering him. All the courtiers and the Sultan were wonderstruck at the sudden appearance of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi then turned to the woman and addressed the child in the womb and commanded him to speak out the truth. By the Grace of Allah the child in the mother’s womb replied that his mother was speaking the untruth. She was bribed by the jealous enemies of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi so that by her false accusation he would be disgraced. It seemed that a certainofficial mufti was jealous of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi as he enjoyed special attention of the Sultan. All were astonished to hear and see this miracle. The woman admitted her quilt and the horrible plot failed. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib then returned to Ajmer.

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SEERAT-E-PAAK

Hazrat Khwaja shaib was an unusual person right from his childhood. Even as a chid he was generous and kind. Once he gave his share of mother’s milk to a hungry child. At the age of 4, he used to invite poor children and feed them. When he was a young boy he noticed on the occasion of Eid that a boy had no new clothes were torn and dirty. Hazrat khwaja shaib took him home and gave his own new clothes to the poor boy and also fed him.

During his adolescence his father passed away and Hazrat Khwaja sahib looked after his orchard and mill. But he always fed the poor and the passerby. To gain knowledge and enlightenment he decided to travel to Bagdad. He sold off his mill and orchard and distributed the proceeds among the poor and needy and proceeded in search of true knowledge.

Hazrat Khwaja sahib respected his elders and helped the widows and old women. He was always studying and helping others and feeding the poor. He always saluted first. His dress was simple and clean, no doubt his cloak had numerous patches. He used to mend his own clothes. Hazrat Khwaja sahib was an humble, sober and pious man. He spent most of his time in prayers & meditation. He used to recite the whole Qur’aan once during the day and once in the night. Often he used to say his morning prayers with the adlution (wuzu) of the late night prayers. He also fasted very often and ate very little at other times. He usually ate dry crusts of bread soaked in water or a cup of barley soup (delia)

Hazrat Khwaja sahib had great love for Allah and tried his best to please him. He also loved Allah’s Messenger (Blessings oh Allah and peace be on him) and followed the traditions i.e. hadis and sunnah implicitly. He advised his disciple and followers to do the same. It is said that he visited Makka and Madina every night with the help of his spiritual powers. During hajj season he was seen simultaneously in Makka and Ajmer. There were many eyewitnesses to his presence.

Hazrat Khwaja Sahib, being a great sufi saint, was endowed with supernatural powers by the Grace of Allah and by mediation (wesila) of Allah’s Messenger (Blessings of Allah and peace be on him). During his lifetime in the Middle East, Arabia and India he performed about 5000 miracles. The greatest miracle (karamat) being the selfless and dedicated service to humanity. His personality made people flock around him and his preachings made them embrace Islam. His missionary work in Ajmer was a success. Ignorance, superstition, oidilatory, corruption caste system was done away with. There was equality, social and spiritual advancement leading to reformation and liberation.

Hazarat Khwaja Sahib had read love and respect for his spiritual teacher (Murshad), Hazrat Usman-e-Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him). He served him whole-heartedly for about twenty years and gained much knowledge. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib also loved his disciples and followers and treated them kindly. He prayed in the Ka’aba at Makka for the continuance and welfare of the Chistiyas and also for the good of everyone.

Hazarat Khwaja Sahib was famous for his generosity, magnanimity. Although he ate little, his kitchen was never cold. In his monastary (Khankah) there was a huge kitchen (langarkhana) and no poor and needy left hungry. His charitable nature, his being ever mindful to the needs of the destitutes and poor and needy earned him the title of Khwaja Garibnawaz (the one who endears the poor). Hazrat Khwaja Sahib used to pray to Allah lift a little corner to his prayer-mat and ask the cook to take for the daily expenses only the required amount.

Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak and Sultan Altamash had great regard and respect for Hazarat Khwaja Sahib. During their respective reigns, they used to send many gifts but Hazarat Khwaja Sahib used used to distribute them among the poor and needy. He never kept anything for himself. Even other rich Hindus and Muslim used to present him with gifts and money, but as usual he used to give them away to the poor and needy.

Hazarat Khwaja Sahib was also very kind and forgiving person. Once a man came to him with the intention to murder him but said a lie that he had come to pray. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib became aware of his murderous intention but he treated him well. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib then requested him to accomplish what was in his mind. This man was ashamed and begged for forgiveness and Hazarat Khwaja Sahib pardoned him. He embraced Islam and became a follower of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib. One day an old woman came to Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and complained that the Governor had falsely accused her son and had murdered him. She begged for justice and requested Hazarat Khwaja Sahib to do something. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib accompanied by his devotees and the old woman reached the site where lay the dead body and the head together properly and prayed to Allah. He prayed that may Allah restore the life of the dead man as he was innocent. The young man got up hale and hearty by the Grace of Allah. The old woman and her son thanked Allah and Hazarat Khwaja Sahib for this miraculous favour.

Once Hazarat Khwaja Sahib was passing through a bazar with his disciple Sheikh Ali. Suddenly Ali was caught by his creditor who demanded immediate laon payment. Ali said that he would surely pay him but he would not listen. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib then promised that Ali’s dues would definitely be paid. But the creditor was adamant and this annoyed Hazarat Khwaja Sahib. He placed his blanket on the ground and by the Grace of Allah it was covered with gold and silver coins. He asked the creditor to take only his legitimate dues. But the greedy man helped himself to much more than necessary and instantly the money disappeared. But his hands were burnt and paralysed and he craved for mercy and begged forgiveness. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib forgave the man as usual and prayed to Allah to restore his hands to normal. The creditor went away, a much humble and honest man.

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DEPARTURE FROM THE WORLD

Some weeks prior to Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s demise Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi visited to Ajmer to meet Hazarat Khwaja Sahib and stayed with him for some days. One the last day Hazarat Khwaja Sahib bade Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi farewell and informed that after some days his worldly life will be over. His mission had brought him to Ajmer and here would be his final resting place. He then made up a Khilafat deed, presented it to Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi and made him his Sajjada Nashin i.e. spiritual successor. He presented him with the cap and the robe and then gifted him the staff of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (Allah's Mercy be on him), his own copy of the Holy Qur’aan, prayer carpet and his sandals. Hazrat Khwaja Sahib advised him to keep up the trust of Allah, Allah’s Messenger and the line of Khwajas. Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi took leave of his spiritual teachers with a heavy heart and returned to Delhi. After returned of Delhi. After twenty days he got the news that his master had departed from this world. ‘In-naa lil-laa-hi wa in-naa-i-lai-hir-raa-ji-un’ (to Allah we belong and to Him is our return).

On the night of 6th Rahab, Monday 627 AH, 21st May 1229 AD, Hazarat Khwaja Sahib after Isha Nazaaz, retired to his room , leaving instructions not to be disturbed and busied himself in worship and meditation. During the night, mystic sounds were heard and by morning they stopped. When the door remained closed during dawn prayers, the devotees and Khadims and other darveshes thought it unusual and broke open the door., They were grief sricken to see that the great saint, Hazarat Khwaja Sahib hat left this world. They perceived rediant letters written in Arabic on his forehead : ‘Haaza Habibbullah wa matafi hubbullah’ (He is a beloved of Allah and he died in the love of Allah). That very night some saints saw in the dream Allah’s Messenger saying that Hazarat Khwaja Sahib is a friend of Allah and he (Allah's Mercy be on him) Messenger) had come to welcome him (Hazarat Khwaja Sahib).

Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaqi writes in his book that when he came to know about Hazarat Khwaja Sahib’s departure from this world he was praying. Whilst sitting on the prayer-carpet he dozed off and saw that Hazarat Khwaja Sahib was standing underneath the Throne of Allah. Hazarat Khwaja Sahib said that Allah had with His Mercy showered His Blessings upon him and allotted him a place near the angels beneath His Throne.

The funeral prayers were led by his eldest son Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Abdul Khair (Allah's Mercy be on him). He was buried in the same room which he occupied in his lifetime and where he breathed his last. His funeral was largely attended by all class and caste of people. The annual Urs of Hazarat Khwaja Sahib is celebrated during the first six days of Rajab.