Muhammad Nizammudin Auliya (RA) also known as Khwaja Nizammudin Auliya (RA) is one of the most famous saints of the subcontinent. He was born on 27th Safar 636 AH, although different writers have different opinions on his birth years. 626,631 and 636 are considered his birth years by different writers but 636 and 634 are said to be more accurate. Nizamuddin Auliya (RA) was born in Badayun, Uttar Pardesh which is located near the Ganges River in the center of Western Uttar Pardesh. He was the Sufi saint of Chisti’s order and his predecessors were Fariduddin Ganjshakar, Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, and Moinuddin Chishti. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA) was also known as Mahbub e Ilahi which means Beloved of God.

Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (RA) spent his whole life serving human beings and his sole objective was to seek the pleasure of ALLAH (SWT) by leading his life according to Islamic teachings.

EDUCATION:

Bibi Zuleikha was mother of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin (RA).She was a devout and learned woman. She was so concerned about his son’s education hence she chose Maulana Allauddin Usooli of Badaun for schooling his son. The boy soon received his “Dastar-e-Fazilat” from Hazrat Ali Moula Buzurg Badayuni, a Khalifa of Hazrat Jalaluddin Tabrizi, along with his blessings in front of a distinguished gathering of Ulema and dervishes. Everyone present there was so sure that this boy will always be faithful to God and will not bow his head in front of anyone except ALLAH (SWT).

DESIRE TO MEET HAZRAT BABA FARID (RA):

Hazrat Nizamuddin was always fond of getting spiritual knowledge and wanted to learn things from different spiritual personalities. When he got to know about the fame and reputation of the great Islamic saint Hazrat Baba Farid, he wanted to meet him and wanted to benefit from his wisdom. Soon, he left Badaun to meet Hazrat Baba Farid.

Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin (RA) first reached Delhi at the age of 20 along with his sister and mother because Delhi was considered a place of knowledge at that time. Hazrat Nizamuddin attained the Sanad of Fazilat and also got knowledge about hadith under the teachings of Maulana Kamaluddin Zahid. In Delhi, he was living in a house that was close to Hazrat Khwaja Najibuddin Mutawakkil. Hazrat Nizamuddin (RA) became his student and there he found more about Hazrat Baba Farid (RA) and his knowledge, his desire to meet Hazrat Baba Farid (RA) increased like fire in the woods, and then he left for Ajdohan (Pakpattan) to meet Hazrat Baba Farid. When he reached Ajdohan and met Hazrat Baba Farid welcomed him wholeheartedly and said

“O Nizamuddin, I have been seriously thinking about handing over the responsibility of India’s ‘Qutubship’. Divinity has guided and informed me of your arrival.”

After that he accepted him as his Mureed, Hazrat Nizamuddin (RA) stayed with Hazrat Baba (RA) from 15th Rajab 655 AH to 3rd Rabi Ul Awwal 656 AH and received spiritual guidance from him. After completing his education and receiving from Hazrat Baba Farid (RA) he then left for Delhi again.

KHANQAH BUILT BY HAZRAT KHWAJA NIZAMUDDIN (RA)

Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin (RA) used to spend his whole day and night in prayers and spirituality. He used to fast daily and used to pray 200 to 300 rakats daily. He also built a Khanqah in Ghasyapur for praying and carrying out Sufi rituals. Khanqah was the place where the rich and poor were treated equally.

The kitchen of Khanqah remained open for everyone and food was given to lots of poor people so that no one remains hungry. Every guest in Khanqah was treated equally with warmth and was provided everything they needed.

It was the rule that no food will be stored for the next day and every food item will be distributed among the needy and poor. Other than that clothes and money were also provided to those who were in need. Hazrat Khwaja Nizammudin (RA) used to stay in his hujra which was on the rooftop of Khanqah but he used to come down daily to perform prayers even at the age of 80. After performing his morning prayers he used to teach Islamic teachings to his aspirants.

SUCCESSORS OF HAZRAT KHWAJA NIZAMUDDIN (RA)

A huge number of Khalifas continued the spirituality and teachings of Khwaja Nizamuddin (RA) after his death. There is a long list of Hazrat Nizamuddin’s Khalifas who bravely upheld the Sufi flame throughout India for more than four centuries in a row after his passing. Some of the names include:

  • Hazrat Akhi Siraj
  • Hazrat Qutubuddin Munawwar
  • Hazrat Burhanuddin Gharib
  • Hazrat Maulana Wajihuddin Yusuf
  • Hazrat Shamsuddin Yahya
  • Hazrat Allauddin Neeli
  • Hazrat Muntakhibuddin Zari Zar Baksh
  • Hazrat Shihabuddin Imam
  • Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Imam
  • Hazrat Maulana Khwaja Moosa
  • Hazrat Khwaja Abu Bakr Chishti etc.

 

LOVE FOR THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH)

Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin saw Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) during his holy communion where the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to him: “Nizam, I am very eager to meet you.”

This increased his eagerness and he wanted to meet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) desperately. It is also said that Hazrat Khwaja left eating before his death. He said: “How can one relish any food when one is fond of meeting the Prophet?” 

 

DEATH OF HAZRAT KHWAJA NIZAMMUDIN AULIYA (RA)

Hazrat Khwaja Nizammudin (RA) breathed his last on 3 April 1325 AD/ 18 Rabi Al-Thani 725 AH. His shrine is situated in Delhi which is famously known as “Nizamuddin Dargah” where thousands of believers pay visits.

Every year the URS (death anniversary) of Khwaja is celebrated from the 17th of Rabi Al-Thani with devotion and enthusiasm. where people from different places visit his shrine and pray Fatihas.