The Preaching of Islam in India! Part 2 (KHAWAJA NIZAMUDDIN AWLIYA part-1)

Image credit: Times of India

 Sultan -ul- Masha'ikh Khawaja Nizamuddin Awliya:-

Popularly 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 eagerness of the people around him for prayers and vigils which had made even the maidservants to pass their time in recollection of God. He went on with his narration praising the shaykh but nothing of the description given by him had awakened any response in my heart. thereafter he told that from Multan he also went to Ajodhan where he met Shaykh ul Islam Khawaja Farid Uddin, who could really be called a king of the saints. At once I felt a strong and absorbing attraction towards Khawaja Farid Uddin. (Siar-ul-Aulia p.100)

First visit to Ajodhan:

Shaykh Najibuddin Matwakkil was the brother of Khawaja Farid Uddin. Nizamuddin had already developed a feeling of great reverence for Khawaja Farid Uddin while still a boy at Badaun. His introduction to shaykh Najibuddin, with whom he spent some of his time, inflamed his fascination for Khawaja Farid. He made up his mind to visit Ajodhan. 

        Khawaja Nizamuddin has himself given an account of his first meeting with his spiritual mentor. He says that no sooner than was he ushered in the presence of Khawaja Farid, he recited a Persian couplet which said:

         "Thy separation set my heart in flames blazing,

           And the soul was ravaged by the flood of thy longing".

Khawaja Nizamuddin wanted to express his keen desire to meet the shaykh but he found his tongue chained to his pallet by the awe of Khawaja Farid Uddin. Finding him overwhelmed with emotion, Khawaja Farid Uddin remarked: "Every newcomer is overtaken by awe".

   Nizamuddin took the oath of fealty to Khawaja Farid Uddin. He was then 20 years of age.

When Nizamuddin sought permission from Khawaja Farid Uddin to terminate his studies in order to devote himself exclusively to devotional exercises, he replied, "I do not like anybody to terminate his studies. Do both, continue your studies as well as recitations and prayers and see which engages your attention more". He also said, "The mendicant has to have some knowledge too."

He considered it necessary that every traveler seeking the path of mysticism should acquire a certain degree of formal education, for he had himself been instructed by his spiritual mentor in that wise.

As a mark of special favor to Nizamuddin, Khawaja himself started teaching him. "Nizam, you would have to study certain books under me," said he. Six chapters of Shaykh Shahab Uddin's 'Awarif-ul- Ma'rif, and the Tamhid of Abu Shakur Salmi were taught by him to Nizamuddin. He also instructed his disciple about the rules of recitations of the Qur'an and guided him in the recital of the first six parts of the Holy scripture. (Siar-ul-Aulia p.107)

Blessings by the Khawaja:

Once the Khawaja called for Nizamuddin after Friday prayers. thereafter he said, "God has bestowed upon you the good of this world and the world beyond. this is what one can obtain here." The Khawaja then asked him to go to Delhi. He said "Go and capture Hindustan."

 It has been stated in Siar-ul-Aulia that Khawaja wrote a khilafat- nama in favour of Nizamuddin and asked him to show it to Maulana Jamaluddin in Hansi and Qazi Muntajab in Delhi. The Khawaja also remarked; "You would be like a shade-tree beneath which the people would get rest and repose. Give yourself to prayer and fasting in order to lead your soul on the pathway of purity."

                                                To be continued...