The Holy Saint History

The Holy Saint History
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Name : Nizamuddin Aulia
Period : 1236 - 1325
Biographical detail : The founder of Silsila-e-Nizamia.

Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia was the founder of Silsila-e-Nizamia a branch of Chistiya order. Nizamuddin Aulia was one of the most famous Sufi saints of India and was a follower of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti (1141 – 1236), one of the most outstanding figures in the annals of Islamic mysticism and founder of the Chistiyya order in Ajmer, India and whose firm faith in wahdat al-wajud (Unity of Being) provided the necessary ideological support to his mystic mission to bring about emotional integration of the people amongst whom he lived.

The central principles that became characteristics of the Chistiyya order are based on Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti’s many teachings and practices. They lay stress on renunciation of material goods; strict regime of self-discipline and personal prayer; participation in sama as a legitimate means to spiritual transformation; reliance on either cultivation or unsolicited offerings as means of basic subsistence; independence from rulers and the state, including rejection of monetary and land grants; generosity to others, particularly, through sharing of food and wealth, and tolerance and respect for religious differences.

Moinuddin Chisti, in other words, interpreted religion in terms of human service and exhorted his disciples “to develop river-like generosity, sun-like affection and earth-like hospitality.” The highest form of devotion, according to him, was “to redress the misery of those in distress – to fulfil the needs of the helpless and to feed the hungry.”

Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia was a disciple of Khawaja Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakir, and was known as the Sultan of all the Sufis. Amir Khusro and Hasan Sajzi were his favourite disciples.

Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia was born Syed Muhammad at Badiyun and lies buried in Delhi whose tomb is visited by millions of Muslims, Hindus and people of others faiths of the Indian sub-continent, round the year, even to this day.

www.salaam.co.uk/knowledge/biography/viewentry.php?id=1297


March 18th, 2007