Khwaja Gharib Nawaz: A Beacon of Divine Love and Compassion

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.), revered as HabibAllah (the Beloved of Allah), was born into a noble and radiant lineage, tracing directly to the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through both his maternal (Hassani) and paternal (Hussaini) lines. His father, Khwaja Ghiyasuddin Hasan (R.A.), was a direct descendant of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.), the beloved son of Hazrat Ali (K.W.K.). His mother, Umm-ul-Warah (R.A.), affectionately known as Bibi Mah Noor, connected his lineage to Hazrat Imam Hasan (A.S.). This profound ancestry underscores his spiritual eminence and the divine blessings bestowed upon him.

Born in the region of Sistan, a land often gripped by unrest due to invasions, his family migrated to the spiritually vibrant and intellectually rich lands of Khorasan, seeking peace and knowledge. From a tender age, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) radiated compassion and divine sensitivity. His innate generosity was evident even as a child; on Eid, he would give his own clothes to a blind child and accompany him to prayer. He preferred sharing meals with others over play, foreshadowing his future as a profound giver of divine love and a patron of the poor.

His early education began within the sacred confines of his home, where he memorized the Holy Qur’an by the age of nine. He later immersed himself in Hadith and Fiqh at a maktab, completing his studies with remarkable intellectual brilliance and divine blessing. At the age of fifteen, he experienced the heart-wrenching loss of his father during the Tatar invasions in Khorasan. This sorrow deeply etched into his soul, planting the seed of spiritual yearning that would ultimately shape his entire life and mission.

One fateful day, in the sacred season between Sha_aban and Zul-Hijjah of 544 AH / 1150 AD, while tending to his orchard, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) received an unexpected guest: the noble mystic, Hazrat Ibrahim Qandoozi (R.A.). With the warmth of a true host, Khwaja Sahib offered him a bunch of grapes. Moved by this affection, Hazrat Qandoozi (R.A.) offered him a simple piece of oil cake. That humble offering, given in divine silence, awakened in Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) an intense yearning for truth—a pivotal moment that irrevocably altered the course of history and set him on his unparalleled spiritual path.

After his father_s passing, he inherited only a grindstone and a small orchard. Yet, these modest possessions held no attachment for him. Driven by an overwhelming love for the Divine, he sold them and distributed all proceeds to the poor, orphans, and the destitute. This act of profound selflessness symbolized his detachment from worldly possessions and his complete surrender to the Divine Will, setting ablaze his ego and firmly placing him on the path of spiritual asceticism.

Thirsting for deeper wisdom, he embarked on extensive journeys to the sacred cities of Baghdad, Samarkand, and Bukhara—luminous centers of Islamic learning. For five years, he diligently studied under esteemed scholars such as Maulana Hisamuddin of Bukhara (R.A.) and Maulana Sharfuddin (R.A.), meticulously polishing both his intellect and spirit. His soul, however, continued to yearn for a deeper connection.

His quest led him farther, from Iraq to the blessed lands of Arabia and Iran, until he reached Haroon. There, Divine Providence orchestrated his meeting with Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (Q.S.A.)—the revered master whose spiritual gaze had the power to transform hearts. Entrusting him with the profound secrets of the Path, Hazrat Usman Harooni (Q.S.A.) accepted him as a devoted disciple. For two and a half years, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) remained under his rigorous care, undergoing intensive spiritual training and ascetic discipline. This period culminated in him being granted Khilafat—the spiritual license to guide seekers on the Sufi path.

His spiritual journey continued, taking him through Baghdad, Syria, Kerman, Multan, Lahore, and beyond. At every step, he visited sacred shrines, met with renowned saints, and drank deeply from the fountains of Divine gnosis. Upon returning to Baghdad, he bowed in reverence at the feet of his beloved master, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (Q.S.A.), who was now radiantly present there.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) himself recounts the luminous details of his second spiritual initiation, a testament to his profound spiritual experiences:

“I, Moinuddin Hasan of Sanjar, a well-wisher of the faithful, had the honor of meeting His Holiness Hazrat Khwaja Usman of Haroon in the mosque of Khwaja Junaid in Baghdad. He was surrounded by divinely inspired dervishes. When this humble soul bowed in reverence, my master and guide asked me to offer two rak’ats. I obeyed. Then he instructed me to face the Ka’ba and recite Surah Baqarah. I did so. Next, he told me to send salutations upon the Beloved Prophet ﷺ twenty-one times. I obeyed. He then rose, held my hand, lifted his gaze towards the heavens and said, ‘Come, let me cause thee to reach God.’ Taking out a miqraz, he passed it over my head and placed upon me the four-edged cap and bestowed the blessed robe of the path. Then he said, ‘It is our tradition that a seeker must undergo a day and night of spiritual abstinence. You shall complete this now.’ I obeyed. The following day, he asked me to sit and recite Surah Ikhlas four thousand times. I complied. He then said, ‘Look to the sky.’ I did. ‘How far dost thou see?’ he asked. I replied, ‘Up to the Great Throne.’ Then he said, ‘Look to the earth.’ I did. ‘How far dost thou see?’ he asked. I replied, ‘Up to the Antipodes.’ Then he asked me to recite Surah Ikhlas again — a thousand times. I obeyed. He then said, ‘Look again to the sky.’ ‘What dost thou see now?’ he asked. I replied, ‘Up to the Great Hidden.’ He told me to close my eyes — I did. Then to open them — I did. He raised two fingers and asked, ‘What dost thou see therein?’ I replied, ‘Eighteen thousand realms.’ Pointing to a brick nearby, he asked me to lift it. Beneath it lay a handful of gold dinars. He instructed me to distribute it among the poor. I obeyed. Later he said, ‘Live in our company for a time.’ I replied, ‘I am forever in your service.’

From that moment onward, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) accompanied his master wherever he went. Their journey led them from Baghdad to Makkah, pausing at Fallujah. Recounting his sacred journey to the Holy Sanctuary, he shares:

“When we reached Makkah, we were graced with the vision of the Holy Ka’ba and performed the sacred tawaf. My spiritual guide took my hand once more and entrusted it to Allah Almighty. As he prayed, a voice was heard from the unseen: ‘We have accepted Moinuddin.’ Then we arrived in Madina. We offered our reverence at the Court of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. My guide said, ‘Offer your salaams.’ I did so. From within the Radiant Presence came the voice: ‘Peace be upon you, O Leader of the Pious of Earth and Sea.’ Upon hearing this, my master turned to me and said, ‘Now indeed, thou hast reached perfection.’

They continued their journey through Osh, Badakhshan, and Bukhara, returning briefly to Baghdad, and then resumed their blessed travels through Siwistan and Damascus. 

 After twenty years of dedicated service to his revered spiritual guide and teacher, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) reached a profound turning point at the age of fifty-two in Baghdad. On this significant occasion, Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (Q.S.A.) honored him with the distinguished title of Sajjada Nashin, marking him as the spiritual successor. Along with this esteemed appointment, he was entrusted with the sacred relics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. 

 In his own blessed words, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) recalled that momentous day:

“My spiritual guide and teacher gave me the stick that was placed before him and then honored me by confiding to me the robe, sandals, stick, and the prayer carpet. Then, addressing me, he said: ‘These holy relics are the sacred possessions of our spiritual ancestors, which we have received from the Holy Prophet Muhammad 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, kissed my head and eyes, and said: ‘I have entrusted thee to God.’ Then he went into trance, and I departed.”

The divine spiritual chain (Silsila) of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) is a testament to the unbroken transmission of spiritual knowledge and blessings, tracing directly back to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This sacred lineage is as follows:

• Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti (H.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Usman-e-Harooni (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Haji Sharif Zindani (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Qutubuddin Modood Chishti (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yousuf Chishti (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Abu Mohammed Chishti (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmed Abdal Chishti (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaque Shami Chishti (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Mumshad Uluvi Deenwari (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Aminuddin Habeera (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Huzaefa Marashi (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Ibrahim Adham Balkhi (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Fuzail Ibne Ayaz (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Abdul Wahid Bin Zaid (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Khwaja Imam Hassan Basri (R.A.) ← disciple of
• Hazrat Imamul Auliya Sayyiduna Hazrat Ali (K.W.K.), son-in-law of
• Hazrat Imamul Ambiya Sarwar e Qayenaat Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

After receiving the robe of caliphate from his spiritual guide and teacher, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) embarked once more on a journey of sacred travels. He first reached Osh and then moved towards Isfahan, where he met Sheikh Mahmud of Isfahan. It was here that he gave the clothes he was wearing to Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (R.A.), symbolizing his spiritual acceptance of him as a devoted disciple. From that moment in 583 AH / 1187 AD, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (R.A.) became his inseparable companion and spiritual heir.That same year, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) left Isfahan for Makkah. While absorbed in prayer at the Holy Ka’ba, a divine voice resonated:

“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.”

With profound humility, he responded:

“O, Great God! Grant salvation to the followers and disciples of Moinuddin.”

The reply came, confirming his exalted status:

“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 completing Hajj and offering his heartfelt salutations at the Ka’ba, he traveled to Medina and immersed himself in prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque. There, he received a direct spiritual mandate from the Court of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

“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.”

Deeply honored yet initially unsure of where Ajmer lay, he was soon enveloped in a spiritual dream in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ revealed to him the city, its fort, and the surrounding landscape of Ajmer. Before departing, he was presented with a pomegranate from Heaven, a symbol of divine blessing and abundance for his mission.Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (H.A.) then reached Baghdad, and from there passed through Chisht on his way to Herat. Continuing his sacred mission, he traveled to Sabzevar, where even the ruler of the region became his spiritual disciple. From Sabzevar, he journeyed to Shadman Fort, then proceeded to Lahore via Multan. Eventually, he reached Delhi, pausing briefly at Samana in the Patiala district, and finally arrived in Ajmer for the first time in 587 AH / 1191 AD, accompanied by forty devoted followers, marking the beginning of a new spiritual era in India. 

Upon his arrival in Ajmer, then under the rule of a powerful king, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) sought to reside at the location where the Auliya Mosque now stands. However, the king_s attendants objected, claiming it was a resting place for the royal camels. In response, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may Allah be pleased with him) fearlessly stated, "If the camels sit there, let them sit." He instead settled on a nearby hill, now famously known as Chillah Khwaja Sahib. Miraculously, the camels, upon returning to their usual spot, 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 Chishti (may his blessings be upon him) said, "Very well, go ahead, the camels can now stand." Upon their return, the camels were found standing, a testament to his spiritual power and divine favor.News of the arrival of this deeply pious dervish spread rapidly, attracting an increasing number of people to him. Whoever approached him was greeted with profound kindness and bestowed with blessings. Inspired by his divine teachings, his simple yet profound wisdom, and his compassionate demeanor, many embraced Islam and became his devoted disciples, transforming the spiritual landscape of the region.During Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’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 the local king. Upon learning of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s (may his soul be sanctified) presence in Ajmer, Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori personally visited him and received his blessings, acknowledging the saint_s spiritual authority.Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) left Ajmer for brief periods, returning 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 Chishti (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, signifying the passing of spiritual authority.On a visit to Delhi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) had initially 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, a testament to their widespread influence.Once more, in 621 AH/1224 AD, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) visited Delhi at the request of a farmer, who sought his intervention to overturn an unjust order of confiscation of his land_s produce by a certain officer, demonstrating his commitment to justice and aiding the oppressed.Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (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 heartfelt pleas of both the elite and commoners of Delhi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his blessings be upon him) allowed Qutb Sahab to remain in Delhi, entrusting the city to his spiritual care, while he himself returned to Ajmer. In Ajmer, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (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 Chishti (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." Following this divine guidance, he married Bibi Ummat-ullah, and from this blessed union, they were blessed with three children:

• Khwaja Fakhruddin (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Khwaja Husamuddin (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Bibi Hafiza Jamal (may Allah be pleased with her)

Later, in his second marriage, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (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 Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) passed away peacefully on Monday, the sixth of Rajab in 627 AH (21 May 1230 AD). 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, "Haaza Habib-Allah Mata Fee Hubb-Allah" (He is God’s beloved, and he died in God’s love), a profound testament to his life of divine love and devotion. 

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) is adorned with a myriad of titles, each reflecting his exalted spiritual status and profound impact on humanity. These include:

• Qutb-ul-Mashaikh Barro Behr (Lord of the land and the sea)
• Habib Allah (Beloved of God)
• Ata-e-Rasul (Gift of the Prophet)
• Khwaja-e-Ajmer (Khwaja of Ajmer)
• Khwaja-e-Buzurg (Great Khwaja)
• Hind-ul-Wali (Saint of India)
• Gharib Nawaz (Patron of the poor)
• Sultan-ul-Hind (Spiritual Sovereign of India)
• Naib-e-Rasul-fil-Hind (Deputy of the Prophet in India)
• Aftab-e-Jahan (Sun of the World)
• Panah-e-Bekasan (Shelter of the Helpless)
• Daleel-ul-Arefeen (Argument of the Enlightened)

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) had an ardent fondness for Sama (spiritual 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 Chishti (may his soul be sanctified) possessed a profoundly forgiving nature and treated all with boundless love, respect, and regard, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion. He exhibited a truly cosmopolitan outlook and a remarkably generous disposition, finding immense joy in assisting the poor and the needy. His hospitality was legendary, 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, embodying true asceticism. 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, reflecting his unwavering commitment to spiritual purity.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 profound asceticism and devotion, setting an unparalleled example for all seekers of truth. Following his departure, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (may his soul be sanctified) of Osh became his distinguished spiritual caliph and Sajjada Nashin (spiritual successor), carrying forward his luminous legacy. Among his other prominent caliphs, who spread the light of the Chishti Order across the subcontinent, we find:

• Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Abul Khair
• Hazrat Sufi Hamiduddin of Nagore
• Sheikh Moinuddin
• Sheikh Wajihuddin
• Sheikh Burhanuddin
• Sheikh Ahmad
• Sheikh Shamsuddin Faqari
• Abdullah Biyabani
• Shaikh Nizamuddin of Nagore
• Shaikh Mujadduddin of Sanjar
• Shaikh Ali of Sanjar (May Allah’s mercy be upon them all)