Khwaja Gharib Nawaz

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty HabibAllah possessed a distinguished lineage, being both a Hassani (maternal) and Hussaini (paternal) Syed, directly descended from the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Through his father, Khwaja Ghayasuddin Hasan (ra), he traced his ancestry back to Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS), the son of Hazrat Ali (KWK). Similarly, through his mother, Umm-ul-Warah (ra), also known as Bibi Mah Noor, he had a lineage that traced back to Hazrat Imam Hasan (AS).

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) was born in the region of Sistan, which was fraught with turmoil and violence caused by Tatars and rebels. Due to the unrest, his father, Khwaja Ghiyasuddin Hasan (ra), migrated with his family to the thriving region of Khorasan, known for its intellectual and economic activity, and settled there.

Even in his early years, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) displayed remarkable piety and compassion for others. On one Eid, as a child, he selflessly gave his own clothes to a blind child in need and accompanied him to offer prayers. He continued to exhibit a selfless and generous nature throughout his childhood, inviting other children to share meals with him instead of playing.

His education began at home, where he memorized the Holy Quran at the young age of nine. Subsequently, he attended a Maktab, where he focused on studying hadith and jurisprudence and completed his education early.

Tragically, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) lost his father when he was about fifteen years old, during a time of devastating Tatar invasions in Khorasan. The scenes of destruction and devastation deeply saddened him.

One day, while tending to his garden between Sha'aban and Zul-Hijjah in the year 544 AH/1150 AD, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (HA) received an unexpected visit from the mystic Ibrahim Qandoozi (ra). The gracious host welcomed him warmly and offered him a bunch of grapes, impressing the mystic with his hospitality. In return, Ibrahim Qandoozi (ra) gave Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) a piece of oil cake to eat. This simple act had a profound impact on Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA), sparking a desire to seek higher virtues and pursue the truth.

Following the passing of his father, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) inherited a grindstone and an orchard, which were his sources of income. However, driven by his newfound spiritual calling, he sold them and distributed the proceeds among the needy, the indigent, and the poor.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) then embarked on a quest for inner knowledge, traveling to renowned centers of Islamic learning like Baghdad, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Over the next five years, he studied under prominent scholars, Maulana Hisamuddin of Bukhara (ra) and Maulana Sharfuddin (ra).

Seeking spiritual guidance, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) journeyed to various places, starting from Iraq and reaching Arabia and Iran. It was in Haroon that he had the privilege of meeting the revered saint Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (QSA), who became his spiritual guide and accepted him as his disciple. Under Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni's (QSA) mentorship, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) spent two and a half years, gaining spiritual insights and practicing asceticism. Eventually, he received his spiritual caliphate and was granted permission to accept disciples.

His travels continued, taking him to Baghdad, Syria, Kerman, Multan, Lahore, and various other places. During his journey, he visited significant shrines and met other saints, enriching his spiritual experiences. On returning to Baghdad, he paid respects to his esteemed spiritual guide Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (QSA), who was then residing there.

Khwaja MoinuddinChishty (HA) himself describes the details of his being initiated as a spiritual disciple a second time in the following words:

I, Moin-ud-din Hasan of Sanjar, well-wisher of all the faithful, had the honour of meeting His Holiness Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Haroon in the mosque of Khwaja Junaid in Baghdad. His Holiness was surrounded by inspired dervishes.
When this humble being bowed low in due deference, my spiritual guide and teacher Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Haroon asked me to offer two genuflections. I did.
Then His Holiness asked me to sit with my face towards the Ka’ba. He asked me, next, to recite Sura Baqara. I did as I was asked to do.
Further, His Holiness commanded me to recite benedictions to the Holy Prophet Mohammed twenty-one times. I obeyed.
Then His Holiness stood up and, holding my hand in his, lifted his face towards the sky and said to me: ‘Come, let me cause thee to reach God.’
Subsequently, taking out a miqraz, turned it around on the head of this humble being and placed on my head the four-edged cap and bestowed on me the robe. Then he asked me to sit. I sat. He addressed me thus: ‘It is the custom with us that a new entrant has to go through asceticism for one day and one night. Thou shouldst complete it in this one day and night.’ I obeyed. Next day, when I attended upon him, His Holiness asked me to sit down and recite Surah Ikhlas (Purity of Faith verse in Holy Quran) four thousand times. I did that.
He asked me, next, to look towards the sky. I did. His Holiness asked me: ‘How far dost thou see?’ I replied: ‘Up to the Great Throne.’
Next, he asked me to look towards the ground. I did, He asked me ‘How far dost thou see?’ I replied: ‘Up to the Antipodes.’
Next, he asked me to recite Surah Ikhlas, again, a thousand times. I did. He asked me to look towards the sky again. I did. He asked me: ‘How far dost thou see now?’ I replied: ‘Up to the Great Hidden.’
He asked me next to close my eyes. I did. He asked me to open my eyes. I did.
Then, showing his two fingers, he asked me:’ What dost thou see therein?’
I replied: ‘Eighteen thousand realms.’
Later, pointing towards a brick ahead, he asked me to pick it up. When I did, I found a handful of dinars therein. He said to me: ‘Go and distribute them amongst the needy and the poor.’ I complied. When I went to him subsequently, he said to me: ‘Live in our company for some time.’ I replied: ‘I am at your service'

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) accompanied his spiritual guide and teacher wherever he went. They left Baghdad for Makkah, and on their way, they stayed for sometime in Fallujah. About the visit to Mecca, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) himself says:

Having reached Mecca, we were honoured by the glorious vision of the Ka’ba and by going around it. My spiritual guide and teacher here, too, took my hand in his and entrusted it to God Almighty. He prayed for my humble self in Ka’ba. A voice was heard to the effect that: ‘We have accepted Moin-uddin.’
Then we reached Medina. We offered our respects at the Court of the Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ. My spiritual guide and teacher said to me: ‘Make thy respectful salaams.’ I offered my reverential salaams.
A voice came out saying: ‘Peace be on you also, O Head of the Pious of the Earth and the Sea.’ On hearing this, my spiritual guide said to me: ‘Now indeed thou hast reached perfection.

Leaving Medina, they stopped in Osh, Badakhshan, and Bukhara on their way to Baghdad. After staying in Baghdad for some time, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) once again accompanied his spiritual guide and teacher on his tours and travels, visiting Osh, Siwistan, and Damascus.

Upon dedicating twenty years of devoted service to his esteemed spiritual guide and teacher, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) experienced a separation from him in Baghdad, reaching the age of fifty-two. On this significant occasion, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (QSA) bestowed upon him the distinguished position of "Sajjada nashin," designating him as the spiritual successor. In addition, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni entrusted him with the sacred relics of the Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ. In Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty's own words: 

My spiritual guide and teacher gave me the stick that was placed before him and then honoured me by confiding to me the robe, sandals, stick and the prayer carpet. Then addressing me said thus:

‘These holy relics are the sacred possessions of our spiritual ancestors, which we have received from the Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ and I have given them to thee. Thou should’st keep them with thee, as we have done. Whomsoever thou may’st find a real seeker, entrust them to him. Do not hold any hope from the people. Live far from the people and aloof from the public and do not demand or ask anything from anybody.’

Having said these words, my spiritual guide and teacher embraced me and kissed my head and eyes and said: ‘I have entrusted thee to God.’ Then he went into trance and I departed.

His spiritual chain is traced back to the Beloved Prophet ﷺ as follows:

Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chisti (HA), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Usman–e-Harooni (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Haji Sharif Zindani (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Qutubudin Modood Chisti (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Nasir Uddin Abu Yousuf Chisti (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Mohammed Chisti (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmed Abdal Chisti (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaque Shami Chisti (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Mumshad Uluvi Deenwari (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Aminuddin Habeera (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Huzaefa Marashi (ra), dsciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Ibrahim Adham Balkhi (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Fuzail Ibne Ayaz (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Abdul Wahid Bin Zaid (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Khwaja Imam Hassan Basri (ra), disciple of

Hazrat Imamul Auliya Sayedna Hazrat Ali (KWK), son-in law of

The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed Mustafa ﷺ

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA), after receiving the robe of caliphate from his spiritual guide and teacher, left on tours and travels again. He first reached Osh and then moved on to Isfahan where he met Sheikh Mahmud of Isfahan. He gave the clothes that he was wearing to Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (ra), implying that he had accepted him as his spiritual disciple. Thereafter, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (ra) accompanied him on tours and travels in the year 583 AH/1187 AH. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) left Isfahan for Makkah the same year. One day when he was absorbed in prayers in the Ka’ba, he heard a voice saying:

O, Moinuddin! We are greatly pleased with thee. Thou art given salvation. Ask for anything thou may’st like, so that we may grant that to thee.
He respectfully responded:
O, Great God! Grant salvation to the followers and disciples of Moinuddin.
He received the reply:
O, Moinuddin! Thou art our accepted one. I will give salvation to thy followers and disciples and also to those who may enter thy fold till the Day of Resurrection.

After paying respects to the Ka’ba and performing the hajj he reached Medina and devoted himself to prayers in the Ka’ba mosque. During his stay, he received a mandate from the Court of the Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ to the effect:

O, Moinuddin! Thou art a helper of my religion. I entrust to thee the country of Hindustan. There prevails darkness. Proceed to Ajmer and spread there the Gospel of Truth.

He was immensely pleased with this mandate but wondered where Ajmer was situated. In the meanwhile, he was consumed with drowsiness. He was blessed by seeing the Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ in a dream who showed him the city, the fort, and the situation of Ajmer. He was bid farewell and was given a pomegranate from heaven.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (HA) reached Baghdad and moved on to Chisht on his way to Herat. From Herat, he proceeded to Sabzevar, which was ruled by Yadgar Mohammed, who also became his spiritual disciple.

He left Sabzevar and reached Shadman Fort, and then left for Lahore via Multan. He then proceeded to Delhi and stopped on the way at Samana (in the Patiala district), and from there, reached Ajmer for the first time in 587AH/1191 AD. He had forty followers with him.

During that period, Ajmer was under the rule of the illustrious Rajput king, Prithvi Raj Chauhan. When Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) arrived in Ajmer, he sought to reside at the location where the Auliya Mosque now stands. However, the attendants of the King objected, as they claimed it was the resting place for the king's camels. In response, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may Allah be pleased with him) fearlessly stated, "If the camels sit there, let them sit." He instead settled on a nearby hill, now known as Chillah Khwaja Sahib. The camels, as usual, returned to their spot but were unable to rise after sitting down. Upon being informed, the king was summoned, and all camel-drivers humbly apologized. Accepting their repentance, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his blessings be upon him) said, "Very well, go ahead, the camels can now stand." Upon their return, the camels were found standing.

News of the arrival of a deeply pious dervish spread, attracting an increasing number of people to him. Whoever approached him was greeted with kindness and bestowed with blessings. Inspired by his divine teachings and simplicity, many embraced Islam and became his devoted disciples.

During the period of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty's (may Allah be pleased with him) stay in Ajmer, Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori launched another invasion of India in 1192 AD. In the famous Battle of Tarain, he emerged victorious over Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Upon learning of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty's (may his soul be sanctified) presence in Ajmer, Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori personally visited him and received his blessings.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) left Ajmer for a brief period and returned in 588 AH/1191 AD. He journeyed to Baghdad in 598 AH/1200 AD and, upon reaching Balkh, accepted Maulana Ziauddin (may Allah be pleased with him) as his spiritual disciple. Subsequently, he revisited Ajmer in 602 AH/1206 AD and again in 610 AH/1213 AD.

During the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) visited Delhi twice. In 611 AH/1214 AD, he resided in the Khanqah of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (may Allah be pleased with him) and granted Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar (may Allah be pleased with him) a robe during his stay.

On a visit to Delhi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) requested his spiritual guide and teacher, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (may Allah be pleased with him), to find a peaceful and secluded place for him to permanently reside. In response, His Holiness advised him to remain in his company for some time to acquire spiritual prowess through consistent training and guidance, before eventually settling in Ajmer. During this time, the renowned poet of Shiraz, Sheikh Sa'di (may his soul be sanctified), had the privilege of meeting both esteemed saints.

Once more, in 621 AH/1224 AD, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty(may his soul be sanctified) visited Delhi at the request of a farmer, who sought his intervention to overturn an order of confiscation of his land's produce by a certain officer.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) wished to take Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (may Allah be pleased with him) to Ajmer, as Sheikh Najmuddin Sughra (may Allah be pleased with him) had expressed concern that Qutb Sahab's presence in Delhi diminished his influence and prestige. However, upon the pleas of both high and commoners of Delhi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his blessings be upon him) allowed Qutb Sahab to remain in Delhi, entrusting the city to his care, while he himself returned to Ajmer. In Ajmer, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) continued his noble and grand mission, guiding people on the path of truth. He also dispatched his disciples and successors to various regions of the country, where they served the people and propagated the teachings of Truth. Among his notable successors were:

- Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (Delhi)

- Hazrat Sheikh Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Pakpattan)

- Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi)

- Hazrat Sheikh Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi (Delhi)

Upon settling in Ajmer, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (may his soul be sanctified) had a profound dream in 590 AH/1194 AD, during which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) appeared before him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke, saying, "O Moinuddin, you are a distinguished guide of our faith. You should not abstain from our 'sunnah' (practice), which includes marriage, as it is incumbent upon every Muslim under the laws of Shariat."

He then married Bibi Ummat-ullah, and from this blessed union, they were blessed with three children:

1. Khwaja Fakhruddin (may Allah be pleased with him)

2. Khwaja Husamuddin (may Allah be pleased with him)

3. Bibi Hafiza Jamal (may Allah be pleased with her)

Later, in his second marriage, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (may his soul be sanctified) wedded Bibi Asmat (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Syed Wajihuddin Mashhadi (may Allah be pleased with him), who served as the commissioner of Ajmer in 620 AH/1223 AD. This union bore the fruit of Hazrat Khwaja Ziauddin Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him).

The esteemed Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (may his soul be sanctified) passed away on Monday, the sixth of Rajab in 627 AH (21 May 1230 AH). On that night, he closed the door of his dwelling, instructing his devoted followers not to disturb him. Throughout the night, ecstatic sounds emanated from within. At the approach of dawn, silence enveloped the place.

When morning prayers approached, his devoted disciples found it unusual that the door remained closed. Upon opening it, they discovered him peacefully resting inside. On his radiant forehead, the following sentence in Arabic was beautifully inscribed, "He was a beloved of God, and he died in the love of God." "Haaza Habib-Allah Mata Fee Hoob-Allah" (He is God's beloved, and he died in God's love).

He is adorned with a myriad of titles, each reflecting his exalted spiritual status and profound impact on humanity, including:

1. Qutb-ul-Mashaikh Barro Behr (Lord of the land and the sea)

2. Habib Allah (Beloved of God)

3. Ata-e-Rasul (Gift of the Prophet)

4. Khwaja-e-Ajmer (Khwaja of Ajmer)

5. Khwaja-e-Buzurg (Great Khwaja)

6. Hind-ul-Wali (Saint of India)

7. Gharib Nawaz (Patron of the poor)

8. Sultan-ul-Hind (Spiritual Sovereign of India)

9. Naib-e-Rasul-fil-Hind (Deputy of the Prophet in India)

10. Aftab-e-Jahan (Sun of the World)

11. Panah-e-Bekasan (Shelter of the Helpless)

12. Daleel-ul-Arefeen (Argument of the Enlightened)

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (may his soul be sanctified) had an ardent fondness for music, often falling into a state of ecstatic rapture when listening to it. His demeanor was solemn and melancholic, and he held the utmost reverence for his esteemed spiritual guide and teacher. During moments of deep contemplation, he would close his eyes, but during prayer times, he would open them to devoutly worship. In his everyday life, he devoutly followed the precepts of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The fear of God would move him to tears, and the thought of the final resting place, the grave, preoccupied his thoughts. At times, he would reach an elevated state of meditation, becoming oblivious to his surroundings. In other moments, he would be immersed in pensive reflection, shutting the door of his dwelling to devote himself to contemplation.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (may his soul be sanctified) possessed a forgiving nature and treated all with love, respect, and regard, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion. He exhibited a cosmopolitan outlook and a generous disposition, finding joy in assisting the poor and the needy. His hospitality was renowned, and he tirelessly entertained countless people. Many residents of the city, without apparent means of sustenance, relied on his langar (free distribution of food). Despite his generous hospitality, he himself ate sparingly, observing fasts throughout the year, and wore humble patched clothes. His devotion to prayer was profound, reciting the Quran twice daily. For seventy long years, he took no rest or respite, and he maintained a meticulous observance of his ablutions.

The well-being of his spiritual disciples deeply concerned him, and he was greatly cherished by his spiritual guide and teacher, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (may his soul be sanctified), who spoke fondly of him, stating, "Our Moinuddin is a beloved of God, and I take pride in the fact that he is my disciple."

He embraced renunciation and self-abnegation, leading a life of asceticism and devotion.

Following his departure, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (may his soul be sanctified) of Osh became his distinguished spiritual caliph and Sajjada nashin (spiritual successor). Among his prominent caliphs, we find:

1. Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Abul Khair

2. Hazrat Sufi Hamiduddin of Nagore

3. Sheikh Moinuddin

4. Sheikh Wajihuddin

5. Sheikh Burhanuddin

6. Sheikh Ahmad

7. Sheikh Shamsuddin Faqari

8. Abdullah Biyabani

9. Shaikh Nizamuddin of Nagore

10. Shaikh Mujadduddin of Sanjar

11. Shaikh Ali of Sanjar (May Allah's mercy be upon them all)