Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (d. 1325 A.D.) is among the best saints in the Chishti Order of Sufism. His guru, Hazrat Baba Farid, used to say this to him, too: \"You should always strive to be like a broad tree that shelters and nurtures Allah's creation.\" This philosophy is why Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya adopted dozens of disciples into the Chishti fold and then sent them throughout India, from UP to Bengal, to spread the teachings of Sufism and serve humanity.
Key Teachings of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia
While addressing his disciples, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya asked them to remember three virtues, an essential quality of every Sufi disciple: Ishq (love), Aql (intelligence), and Ilm (knowledge). His spirituality is represented in these values:
Love (Ishq):e Sufism encompasses love in its reigns. Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia is known as a holy person for giving him the title of Mehboob-e-Elahi, the One loved by Allah. According to him, love can metamorphose a person by elevating them from their animalistic traits to higher worlds of spirituality.
Wisdom (Aql): His wisdom was kind and practical. Instead of performing breathtaking miracles, he preferred to aid people through empathy. The kind of compassion that told him all they needed to hear was a handful of heartfelt words.
He knew he wanted to become a scholar and initially tried pursuing a career as a Qazi. However, most of his life was spent searching for self-realization and a more profound inner journey, so he gave that up instead. Along with his studies in the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic law, he focused intensely on self-knowledge, which made him one of the best scholars of his time.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
The birth of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia is documented as the 27th of Safar, 636 AH or 1238 AD. He faced quite a lot during his childhood, most notably the fact that his father died when he was five years old. With his mother raising him, Nizam mastered the Qur’an and other Islamic sciences during his teenage years and was remarkably intelligent. His intelligence earned him the title “the Debater, who can defeat the congregation."
With growing age, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia found himself more attracted towards spirituality than worldly matters. So when he turned 18, he decided to journey to Delhi, where he met the well-known Sufi Hazrat Baba Farid. He became highly devoted to Baba Farid, which enabled him to transform into a self-realized disciple and undergo a self-realizing journey.
Spiritual Transformation and Service to Humanity
Nizamuddin Aulia had spent his lifetime serving people selflessly. He was a generous person who would give everything he had to those who needed it the most. His langar (free kitchen) in Delhi fed thousands daily, claiming that feeding those in need was the most accurate form of dua zikr.
Though he lived a life of poverty, he owned a heart rich with love for Allah. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya owned very little but ensured that whatever little he did went to people with low incomes. His methods of selflessness made him gain praise and admiration from people belonging to all classes.
Spiritual Legacy and Influence
With time, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya spread his knowledge regarding the teachings of the Chishti Order all over the subcontinent, and his impact on people was remarkable. Unsurprisingly, many disciples had established Sufi centres in other regions of India apart from Delhi.
Another thing that made him different in his form of spirituality is his love of sama (spiritual music). The moment he listened to qawwalis, he'd go into a trance, and all the animals around him would also gather.
Miracles and Stories
Despite not actively trying to showcase his miracles, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia is well known for many miraculous feats. His spiritual presence has been so intense that people say he could heal the sick just by looking at them or touching them. One great story mentions how Sultan Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah invited Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia to an event he decided to attend. However, upon attending, he promptly rejected it and instead said that all of the affairs of the kings were of no concern to him. His refusal resulted in the king dying shortly after, which illustrates how dominating his spiritual power was.
There is another story regarding his engagement to Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. During his reign, the Sultan ordered Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia to leave his house before he visited Delhi, to which he replied, "Delhi is still far away." Before he could get to Delhi, the Sultan's palace crumbled to the ground. Thus, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia was spared from the confrontation.
Final Years and Passing
For over six decades, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia lived in the village of Ghiyaspur, which is now a well-known place for pilgrimages and where he spent his last days. After suffering from chronic illness, he died during the year of 725 AH (1324 AD). Before he passed away, he had built immense spiritual influence that still inspires millions of people today.
Sayings and Wisdom
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia's works contain several sayings, one of which is:
"Compassion's wilayat (domain) has no limit, for it remains forever."
"Real Sultanship can only be attained through integrating Knowledge, Intelligence, and Love."
A good Muslim's heart is Allah's divine realm and, thus, must be kept free from harm.
Like many great scholars throughout the history of humanity, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia's life was full of love, wisdom, and devoted service for the selfless cause of humanity. His remarkable works and sayings serve the purpose of his teachings to guide others, and he shall forever be a source of tranquillity and inspiration to those in need.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah in India is one of the most revered spiritual sites, attracting millions of devotees every year. It is the final resting place of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose teachings of love, peace, and humanity continue to inspire. For those seeking blessings and tranquility, Ajmer Sharif Dargah remains a place of deep reverence and spiritual solace.