Reviving Tawhid

Image credit: Times of India   Sultan -ul- Masha'ikh Khawaja Nizamuddin Awliya:- P opularly known by his surname Nizamuddin, he was named by his father Ahmad ibn Ali. Descending from a family of Sayed's which had migrated from Arabia to central Asia then had come down to Lahore and finally settled in Badaun (it is situated in the eastern bank of Sot river in Uttar Pradesh). Khawaja was born in Badaun in 636 AH. When he was only five years of age his father died. His mother who was known for her fervent  piety, took pains for his proper education and guidance despite extreme poverty. Impulsive Attraction towards the Shaykh:   Khawaja Nizamuddin says: When I was only twelve years of age, still studying under Abu Bakr Kharrata, a man who had been to Multan came to see my teacher. he began to narrate the virtues and excellence of Shaykh Baha Uddin Zakariya Multani , the atmosphere of sanctity and Godliness prevailing in his monastery and the enthusiasm and...

  K hawaja's father was Jamaluddin, the maternal cousin of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi. The first name of  Khawaja was Masood, the surname was Farid Uddin, but he was commonly known by the appellation of Ganjshakar. he was born in the year 584 Hijri in Kohtwaal which is in the district of Multan. Khawaja belonged to the descendent of Hadhrat Umar Ibn Khattab (Ra), his grandfather migrated from his homeland, Kabul during the era of Halaku, the Mongol and went to Lahore.  Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti was indisputably the founder of Chishtiya order in India, but it was promoted by Khawaja Farid Uddin whose two disciples Khawaja  Nizamuddin and Shaykh Alauddin Kalyar spread it far and wide in the country. In Multan he studied under different teachers among whom was also Maulana Minhajuddin who taught him An Nafeh, the  renowned  book on juristic sciences. It was here in Multan where  Khawaja   Farid Uddin  met  Khawaja   Bakhtiyar  Kaki a...

  K hawaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki was born in the town of Aush in the year 582 hijra (1173 AD) in present day Tajikistan. Khawaja became orphan at a very tender age, his mother took special care for his education and got him admitted in a primary school. After completing primary education at a Aush Khawaja took road to Baghdad for further education. he was endowed with the robe of spiritual succession in the Chishtiyah order by none other than Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in the sacred mosque of Faqih Abul laith Samarkandi , in the presence of a large number of scholars and celebrated saints. It is said that the Prophet of Islam (may peace and blessings be upon him) directed Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (ra) to confer the mantle of succession  to him and the spiritual kingdom of Delhi was also assigned to Khawaja Qutubuddin kaki by the command of God. Khawaja directed his course to India at the bidding of his mentor and stayed over at Delhi...

                                                                      Image credit: Times of India Sultan ul Hind Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti: A ccording to the consensus of historians Khawaja was born in the year 537AH (1143 AD) in the town of Sanjar which is in the Irani province of Seetaan. Khawaja had inherited an orchard from his father. initially after getting inspired by one Ibrahim Quhanzari who was a dervish, a profound transformation took place in Khawaja's heart which made him completely turn away from the word and a strong yearning of Allah's loved consumed him.  Khawaja sold the orchard and distributed the money to the poor and left on a journey to Samarqand were he bade the Qur'an to his memory and gained the academic shariah knowledge. Thereafter he travelled to Iraq to benefit in the company of H...

  I qbal was born in Sialkot in the Punjab on February 22, 1877. His ancestors, who were Kashmiri Brahman, had embraced Islam 200 years earlier. Iqbal received his early education in Sialkot then graduated in English literature, philosophy and Arabic from the Government college of Lahore. From 1908 to 1934 he practiced as a lawyer until his health forced him to give up. however due to his varied activities he could not give complete attention to law and he began to devote more time to philosophy and literature and stated regularly attending the meetings of Anjuman Himayat-i-Islam at Lahore. It was at one of its annual function that Iqbal read the groundbreaking  poem Shikwa ("The complaint") and followed it up, a year later with Jawab-i-Shikwa ("The Answer"). Both of these poem made Iqbal famous and even become national song of the millet. thereafter all poems of Allama Iqbal during that period started bearing the spirit of change and revolt. 1.)  Waqt-e-Fursat Ha...

Is Sufism against Shari'ah: T here is a difference of opinion among scholars of Islam regarding origin of the root word Sufi as the word Sufi was not known till the third century AH.  After quoting various opinion scholars say that it is derived from Suf (woolen garment) some say that, it is extracted from the word 'Safa' (cleaning of impurity). The first Sufi group arose in Basra (Iraq) and the founders of the first Khanqah (Sufi Seminary) were the students of Abdul Wahid bin Zayd, who was a disciple of the famous Hasan Basri.  Sufism and Tasawwuf as a term were coined in later years but words such as Tazkia and Ahsan appear in the Qur'an and Hadith respectively.  The word Tazkia which means to purify oneself appear several times in the Quran. For example: Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify (tazkia) them . Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise." —...

The Wisdom of this world brings increase of supposition and doubt; the wisdom of Religion soars above the sky . {The Mathnawi Vol. II p.387 (Book II, 3201-3)}   R umi's quotes are widely shared on the internet as words of wisdom particularly for those who battle with depression and anxiety and for some Rumi has helped them travel their 'spiritual journeys'.    There are hundreds of books and articles written on Rumi but unfortunately none speak about his religious zeal and vigor to serve religion and particularly in following the tradition of the holy Prophet of Islam (may peace and blessings be upon him).    Somehow it seems there is a plot stirred by few western poets and self proclaimed spiritual gurus/masters of today who claim to follow Rumi's path of love but through their vague translations and apprehensions are trying to give Rumi's work a secular color by removing Islamic belief and conviction from Rumi's heart.    This particular notion has ...

  Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal " I have never considered myself a poet. Therefore, I am not a rival of anyone, and I do not consider anybody my rival. I have no interest in poetic artistry. But, yes, I have a special goal in mind for whose expression I use the medium of poetry considering the condition and the customs of this country." - Allama Iqbal O ne of the greatest Muslim thinker, poet and philosopher of the present era, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was not only an eloquent poet but also a spiritual guide who gave the Muslim millet a road map suffering from an identity crisis then and now. Allama Iqbal was of the opinion that the youth alone can bring about a difference in the society but was often disappointed seeing the youth dwell upon materialistic western culture and get attracted to its glamour.   Today the condition of the community has deteriorated to such an extent that hesitation, doubt and despondency has become an intrinsic character of a Muslim, the Muslim today ta...

  Assalamu’alaikum , Today our journey begins,  The purpose of creating this blog is to revive the spirit of peace and love in the mind’s of today’s youth. The same shall be carried forward by this platform by posting views and opinions of exemplary Islamic role models. See you soon Insha’Allah…