Death of Khwaja Nizamuddin

Khwaja Nizamuddin, more popularly remembered as Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya, was the most revered and influential saint in the Indian Subcontinent. He holds the legacy of the renowned Chishti Order of Sufism. His predecessors in Sufism were the likes of Fareeduddin Ganjshakar (popularly remembered as “Baba Fareed”), Qutbuddin Bakhriar Kaki, and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. His disciples and followers had adopted the title of Chishti-Nizami for his order of Sufism.

Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya was one of the most renowned, loved, and massively followed Sufi Saints of the Indian Subcontinent of the late 13^th and early 14^th Century. He died in 1325 CE (725AH) in Delhi. His passing marks the end of a spiritual journey that transformed the lives of thousands of people, not only the Muslims but also the non-Muslims. Among his followers were both Muslims and non-Muslims. His teachings distinguished him from contemporary saints and scholars, as they encompassed an ethic of love, modesty, humbleness, and inclusivity, grounded in service and respect for all, regardless of their social status, faith, caste, and creed. Even centuries after his death, his shrine in Delhi, India, remains a center of attraction for devotees seeking guidance from his teachings to follow the righteous path and ultimately seek closeness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.

Who Was Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya?

Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya was born in Badayun, in the Sultanate of Delhi, India, in 1238 CE (635AH). He is also remembered by titles such as “Sultan al-Mashaikh”, which translates to “Lord of the Pious”. Sometimes he is also called “Mehbub-e-Ellahi" (Beloved of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These titles are the recognition of his higher status in piety and love for Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It also speaks of his status among the Sufi Saints. The name of his father is Syed Abdullah Bin Ahmad al-Hussainin Badayuni, whereas Mai Sahiba Bibi Zulekha was his mother. His father passed away earlier, when he was just five years old. At that stage, he, along with his mother, shifted to Delhi.

At the age of around 20 years, he became a student of the famous Sufi Saint, Fareedudin Ganjshakar (Baba Fareed). For this purpose, he traveled to Pakpattan Sharif (then called Ajodhan), now a renowned town in Punjab, Pakistan. From here, he adopted the path of Sufism. Instead of staying at Ajodhan, he used to spend the month of Ramadan here, while returning to Delhi after that. During this time, he continued his studies in Delhi but at the same time, started to follow the practices of Sufism, under the supervision of his Master, Baba Fareed. When he visited Ajodhan for the third time, Baba Fareed elevated his status as his successor. Soon after that, while he had returned to Delhi, Baba Fareed passed away.

Finally, he settled in Ghiyaspur, which was situated in the suburbs of Delhi. He founded his Khanqah (Sufi Lodge) here. Sooner or later, this lodge became a central place where people from all walks of life, across the subcontinent and even beyond, started coming for spiritual education. It was the place where people experiencing poverty were fed. Within a short span of time, this Sufi Lodge was filled with devotees, irrespective of their status, including rich, poor, higher officials, and the general public.

Khwaja Nizamuddin is remembered as the most prominent Saint of the Chishti Sufi Order. He is highly revered for his humility, compassion, and extreme devotion to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. While he is known for being a successor of Baba Fareed, he was also a spiritual successor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, following the Sufi Order Chishti. Later on, his disciples adopted the title “Chishti-Nizami," honoring him as the founder of his own Sufi Order.     

Date and Place of Death

• The exact date of his birth is not reported in any historical account. However, the year of his birth is confirmed as 1238 CE, corresponding to 625AH.
• He passed away on the 18^th of Rabi At-Thani, in 725 AH, which corresponds to 3^rd of April 1325 CE. Accordingly, his age at the time of his death was around 87 or 88 years.
• He was buried in Delhi, in his Khanqah (Sufi Lodge), which is popularly called “Dargha Nizamuddin". Dargah translates to Shrine. This shrine is visited by hundreds and thousands of people every year, including the followers of Islam and other religions as well. Despite a lapse of more than seven centuries, the Dargah is still a popular site for the followers of the Chishti Sufi Order.

Legacy and Spiritual Contributions

Being the most prominent Sufi figure of the Indian Subcontinent, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya is massively followed. He is the most respected among the Sufis of the Chishti Order. He has left a profoundly significant spiritual legacy and has contributed a lot to Islam and Muslims, particularly the Muslims of South Asia.

His legacy and spiritual contributions are enormous, but let's try to summarize them here:

• Spreading Sufism – One of the significant contributions of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya is the propagation of Sufism, especially the Chishti Order. Being a most prominent successor of Baba Fareed (Fareeduddin Ganjshakar), he played a central role in spreading and popularizing the Chishti Sufi Order. Dargah Nizamuddin, situated in Delhi, has been transformed into the main center of learning the spiritualism and Sufi practices, popular among all walks of life. His followers include scholars, higher Government Officials, and Commoners. His teachings are based on love, humility, service to humanity, and devotion to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• Influence on Islamic Culture – The Qawwali tradition gained popularity during his era, though he was particularly against the use of musical instruments and dancing. The culture of Qawwali was popularized by his famous student Amir Khusro, who was a renowned Poet and Musician of his time.
• Social Reforms – On the social front, he played a vital role in bridging the gap between the ruling class and the commoners. He often mediated their conflicts, justly and compassionately. His shrine is still visited by people of all segments of life, which symbolizes spiritual unity. His dargah is still a central place where people experiencing poverty are fed generously.
• Disciples – It is reported that the number of his direct disciples (Khalifas) is more than 600, which is unprecedented in the history of Sufism in the Indian Subcontinent. Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlvi, Amir Khusro, Qazi Qawamuddin Siddiqui, Akhi Siraj Ainae Hind, and Burhanuddin Gharib are among the most famous students of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. 

Commemoration and Urs (Death Anniversary)

The term Urs is used in Sufism, which translates to Death Anniversary. Every year, in the month of Rabi At-Thani, his Urs is celebrated with religious passion at his Dargah in Delhi, India. It is attended by millions of his followers from across the world, including people from all segments of society. The highlights of Urs include recitation of the Quran, supplications, and, more prominently, the tradition of Qawwali.

Apart from it, special arrangements are made for poor feeding, traditionally referred to as “langar”, which is managed by his name. As part of devotion and seeking blessings, everyone would like to have their share in managing this langar. People, irrespective of being poor or rich, eat this langar as a gesture of love and followership of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya.

The annual Urs lasts for several days at his Dargah. Apart from the days of his annual Urs, the traditional langar continues uninterrupted round the year. Similarly, the devotees continue to pour in throughout the year, from all around the world.

Teachings and Values

The teachings of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya are based on high moral values of religious compassion and adherence to the norms and practices of Islamic teachings, combined with the Sufi Practices.

Some of his teachings and philosophy are summarized here:

• Love for Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ (Ishq-e-Ellahi) – One of the core teachings of Khwaja Nizamuddin is based on the pure love for Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, termed as “Ishq-e-Ellahi" in Sufism. It is based on the concept that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ also loves those who love Him and His Servants.
• Service to Humanity – Another essential component of his teachings includes “Khidmat", which can be described as serving Humanity. It involves poor feeding. It also points to providing relief to those in distress. He teaches his students and followers that serving humanity is a form of worship, perhaps even higher in value.
• Adoption of Humility – Referred to as “Fakr”, adopting humility voluntarily is yet another core teaching of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. It points to adopting simplicity in one's life, which negates personal ego and worldly attractions.
• Maintain Distance from the Powerful – Throughout his life, Khwaja Nizamuddin has maintained a distance from those who hold power and are influential. He taught his disciples to follow this practice so that they should remain free of any pressures in the performance of their religious and Sufistic duties. It provides moral independence for an individual.
• Inclusivity – His teachings were based on inclusivity; welcoming everyone from all walks of life, from different religions and from different sects within Islam. Everyone was accepted by him compassionately, reflecting the Quranic teachings of Justice and Mercy for all.
• Spiritual Music (Qawwali/Sama’) – Although he was very particular about the prohibition of Music and Musical instruments, he allowed spiritual music in the form of Qawwali or Sama. This was allowed by him with strictly regulated parameters, which unfortunately are perhaps not being followed these days. Moreover, the poetry was also selective, adhering to the Islamic teachings.

FAQs: