Life of Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani: A Devoted Disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 10 July 2025 Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani, a revered disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, renounced worldly comforts for spiritual purity, earning Khilafat through unwavering devotion, overcoming trials to achieve divine closeness. Main Points: 1. Renowned scholar and ascetic, mastered Tafsir and hadith. 2. Burned judgeship decree, embracing poverty for spiritual growth. 3. Faced trials when reappointed as Qazi by Sultan Alauddin. 4. Restored Khilafat after a year of spiritual refinement. 5. Passed away in 790 AH, leaving a legacy of piety. ----- Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani holds a distinguished place as the most eminent successor (Khalifa) of Sheikh-ul-Mashaikh Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (may his soul be sanctified). Renowned for his unparalleled asceticism and piety, he was celebrated for his miraculous deeds and spiritual feats. A master in the sciences of Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) and hadith, he was a beacon of knowledge for the entire city of Delhi, where people flocked to him to acquire religious wisdom. His life was marked by a profound commitment to spiritual purity and detachment from worldly desires, a testament to his unwavering devotion to his spiritual guide, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. From the moment Qazi Muhyiddin became a disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin, he renounced all worldly comforts and luxuries. The reigning king had issued him a decree appointing him as a judge (Qazi), a position of significant prestige and authority. However, in a remarkable display of spiritual resolve, Qazi Muhyiddin brought this decree before his revered mentor and burned it, choosing instead the path of poverty and spiritual struggle (mujahada). Through this dedication, he attained the mantle of spiritual succession (Khilafat) from his Sheikh, embodying the ideals of humility and divine surrender. It is narrated that when Qazi Muhyiddin embraced a life of poverty and hardship, turning away from all worldly pleasures, his dependents and family, who were accustomed to a life of ease and luxury, faced severe financial difficulties. One of their acquaintances, concerned about their plight, brought this matter to the attention of Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the reigning monarch. Moved by their situation, the Sultan reappointed Qazi Muhyiddin as the judge of Awadh, a position that was hereditary in his family. When this news reached Qazi Muhyiddin, he hastened to the presence of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya and submitted, “This matter has occurred without my consent and in my absence. What is your guidance in this regard?” Hazrat Nizamuddin responded with profound insight, stating, “It seems that even after adopting poverty and hardship, memories of the position of qazi lingered in your heart, which is why the king has reappointed you.” Genealogical Lineage (Silsila-e-Nasab): The genealogical lineage of Qazi Muhiyuddin is as follows: Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani, son of Qazi Jalaluddin Kashani, son of Qazi Qutbuddin Kashani, from the lineage of Hazrat Zaid Aswad, son of Sayyid Ibrahim, son of Sayyid Muhammad Asi, son of Imam Qasim Asi, son of Hazrat Ibrahim Taba Taba, Sultan of Tabaristan, son of Hazrat Ismail, son of Hazrat Ibrahim, son of Hazrat Hasan Muthanna, son of Hazrat Imam Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him), son of Hazrat Maulana Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). (Fawa'id al-Fu'ad, page 192) This response deeply troubled Qazi Muhyiddin, as it suggested a lapse in his spiritual resolve. Hazrat Nizamuddin, in his wisdom, withdrew the certificate of khilafat from Qazi Muhyiddin and set it aside, marking a period of trial for the disciple. For a full year, Qazi Muhyiddin grappled with this challenging phase, his heart and mind undergoing a transformation. After this period of introspection and spiritual refinement, he returned to the presence of Hazrat Nizamuddin, who, out of compassion, reinstated him as a disciple and restored the Khilafat certificate. Through this renewed bond, Qazi Muhyiddin was elevated to the highest spiritual stations, achieving the pinnacle of divine closeness and enlightenment. A poetic tribute to him reads: Muhyiddin, Dono Jahaan Ka Rahnuma, Jab Duniya Se Chala, Jannat Mein Pahuncha, Uska Wasl Hai, Haq Ka Sache Dil Se Talabgaar, Aur Chandni Jaisa Noor, Muhyiddin Ka Husn-E-Kamaal. “Muhyiddin, the guide of both worlds, When he left this world, he reached paradise, His union is with the truth, a sincere seeker, And like moonlight, the radiant beauty of Muhyiddin’s perfection.” The revered scholar Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani was renowned among the highest companions for his vast knowledge, forbearance, asceticism, piety, caution, and righteousness. Hailing from a distinguished family of scholars and saints, he was the grandson of Qazi Qutbuddin Kashani and a revered teacher of Delhi. Despite possessing exceptional virtues, he sought the treasure of devotion to Hazrat Sultan-ul-Mashaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, which he considered the root of all blessings. In the blessed sight of Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Qazi Muhyiddin held complete and utmost respect, always regarded with reverence. Whenever he arrived in the presence of Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, the latter would stand in his honour, a rare privilege granted to few among the Sheikh’s companions. His presence infused immense vibrancy into Sultan-ul-Mashaikh’s gatherings, which remained lively and engaging for hours. Whenever Qazi Muhyiddin faced scholarly challenges, he sought solutions from Sultan-ul-Mashaikh. The gatherings were enriched with stories of saints, secrets of divine love, questions and answers, and various anecdotes and pearls of wisdom, keeping the sacred assembly warm and spiritually uplifting. Some of these accounts are recorded in their appropriate place in the book Siyar-ul-Auliya, to be presented before the enlightened hearts of the world. Those who lacked the capacity to sit in Sultan-ul-Mashaikh’s gatherings would eagerly await Qazi Muhyiddin Kashani’s arrival, as his presence allowed them to secure a place in the assembly and partake in its spiritual delight. Qazi Muhyiddin was entirely free of pretence and artificiality, and his conduct mirrored that of the righteous predecessors (Ahl-E-Salaf). From the outset of his spiritual journey, he detached himself from worldly ties and bid farewell to material luxuries. He brought the decree of judgeship, which was a badge of honour and a means of livelihood for scholars, to Sultan-ul-Mashaikh and tore it to pieces, embracing the path of poverty and spiritual struggle. After observing Qazi Muhyiddin’s virtuous deeds over time, Sultan-ul-Mashaikh decided to honour him with the mantle of Khilafat. He wrote the following words on a piece of paper with his blessed hands and bestowed it upon Qazi Muhyiddin: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. You must abandon the world and its fleeting adornments and turn towards Allah. Do not pay any attention to the world or its people. If you are offered an estate or wealth, do not accept it. Do not look upon the gifts of kings with favour. If a traveller comes to you and you have nothing to offer, consider it one of Allah’s blessings and cherish it. If you act upon these instructions, as I believe you will, then you are my Khalifa. But if you fail to follow my command, then my Khalifa is Allah, the Lord of all Muslims.” It is narrated that when Qazi Muhyiddin's most recent commitment to memory faced the severity of poverty and financial hardship, his followers and servants, accustomed to luxury and fine clothing, began to trouble him. One of his devotees, without his request, presented his virtues and accomplishments before Sultan Alauddin Khilji. The Sultan declared that the judgeship of Awadh, Qazi Muhyiddin’s hereditary position, along with several villages and estates, be assigned to him. Upon hearing this, Qazi Kashani traveled to Delhi to consult Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, explaining that the royal decree was issued without his consent. He sought guidance, stating he would act according to his master’s instructions. Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, displeased, remarked, “It must be that such a thought crossed your heart, which is why this decree was issued.” He withdrew his favor, and some narrators mention that the khilafat certificate was taken back and hidden away. For a full year, Qazi Muhyiddin faced hardships and distress. After this period, his mindset transformed, and he returned to Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, who renewed his allegiance and restored the khilafat, elevating him to great spiritual heights. Qazi Muhyiddin passed away during the Sheikh’s lifetime. He passed away on 15 Rabi' al-Awwal 719 Hijri, which corresponds approximately to 8 May 1319 CE. ----- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/qazi-muhyiddin-kashani-disciple-nizamuddin-auliya/d/136133 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism