Bahadur Shah Zafar’s Spiritual Anchor: Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan of the Chishti Order

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 18 August 2025 Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan, the Chishti mystic of Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Delhi, guided Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, spreading love, service, and unity, leaving behind a shrine that still inspires seekers today. Main points: 1. Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan was born in Aurangabad in 1711, son of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aurangabadi, inheriting a profound Chishti lineage. 2. He later migrated to Delhi, arriving at the heart of Sufi culture during a time of Mughal decline and political uncertainty. 3. His Khanqah in Delhi became a spiritual refuge for nobles, poets, commoners, and even Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. 4. His teachings centred on love, selfless service, and remembrance of God, with Sama and Qawwali nurturing communal harmony. 5. His Dargah in Delhi still thrives today, preserving the inclusive legacy of the Chishti order. ------ Aye Zafar Kya Bataun Tujh Se Ke Jo Kuch Hoon So Hoon Lekin Apne Fakhr-e-Dee'n Ke Kafsh-Bardaron Mein Hoon — Bahadur Shah Zafar Introduction Aurangabad, the cultural heart of the Deccan, witnessed in 1711 CE the birth of a child who would later shine as Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan, one of the most luminous names in the Chishti Silsila. He was the son of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aurangabadi, a revered Sufi master, known for his deep attachment to the spiritual traditions of the Chishti order. This lineage was no ordinary one: the Chishti Silsila stretches back to Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami Chishti of Syria, whose spiritual fragrance travelled from Central Asia to India, and whose teachings inspired centuries of seekers. Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan’s ancestors themselves had migrated from Central Asia, bringing with them an inherited treasure of mystic wisdom. Growing up in a household steeped in Zikr (remembrance of the Divine), and Khidmat (service to others), the young Hazrat Fakhruddin’s soul was nurtured in an atmosphere where love, humility, and selflessness were not just preached but lived. His father not only ensured that he gained mastery over the formal sciences of Islam but also guided him on the subtle path of Sulook (the inner spiritual journey). From a tender age, Hazrat Fakhruddin absorbed the balance of scholarship and mysticism that would later define his saintly personality. His Silsila-e-Bai't is as follows: Hazrat Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz Moinuddin Hasan Chishti to Hazrat Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki to Hazrat Khwaja Baba Farid Ganj Shakar to Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya to Hazrat Khwaja Naseeruddin Chirag Dehlvi to Hazrat Allamah Kamaluddin to Hazrat Khwaja Siraajuddin to Hazrat Khwaja Ilm-ul-Haq-Waddin to Hazrat Khwaja Mahmood Raajan to Hazrat Khwaja Jamaluddin to Hazrat Khwaja Shaikh Hasan to Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Chishti to Hazrat Shaikh Yahya Madani to Hazrat Khwaja Shah Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi to Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Aurangabadi to Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan Dehlvi. Journey Towards Delhi Aurangabad of the 18th century was a vibrant centre of Sufi activity, yet the shifting fortunes of the Mughal empire and political unrest made the times uncertain. It was against this backdrop that Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan turned his steps towards Delhi, the heart of Indo-Islamic culture, scholarship, and spirituality. Delhi was then teeming with Khanqahs (Sufi lodges), where the fragrance of Chishti teachings still lingered in the air, echoing the legacy of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti Ajmeri. It was here that Hazrat Fakhruddin found his true arena. His presence soon transformed him into a central figure in the city’s spiritual landscape. His khanqah became a sanctuary for nobles and commoners alike, poets and peasants, rulers and the destitute, all drawn to the calm radiance of his presence. In a time when Delhi was witnessing both political decline and the early tremors of colonial intrusion, his khanqah stood as an island of spiritual assurance. Teachings and Influence At the heart of Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan’s message lay the timeless principles of the Chishti Silsila: love towards all, malice towards none, and service as the highest form of devotion. His discourses revolved around the purification of the heart, detachment from greed, and remembrance of the Divine as the only path to true closeness with God. Music and poetry were not merely tolerated but celebrated in his khanqah. Qawwals would render verses that melted barriers of caste, creed, and class, drawing people into a shared circle of divine love. Unlike ascetics who withdrew from the world, Fakhruddin believed in living amidst society and transforming it with compassion. He urged his disciples to feed the hungry, console the distressed, and treat service to humanity as worship itself. Stories passed down in oral traditions recount how Fakhruddin himself distributed food to the poor, mediated disputes with fairness, and even offered guidance to rulers of the day. His strength lay not in displays of miraculous power but in embodying compassion so completely that those who came to him felt the presence of God through his very being. Legacy in Delhi and Beyond By the later years of his life, Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan had become a name revered far beyond Delhi. His dargah grew into a pilgrimage site where devotees came from Aurangabad, the Deccan, and distant parts of North India, seeking blessings and spiritual comfort. To this day, his shrine continues to attract seekers who bring flowers, prayers, and their burdens of the heart, hoping to find Barakah (blessings) in his presence. His life and work symbolised a spiritual bridge, connecting the mystic traditions of Central Asia, the Deccan, and North India. In him, one can trace the flow of Sufism across geographies and centuries, carrying with it the unifying message of the Chishti saints. Relations with the Mughals and Bahadur Shah Zafar One of the most captivating dimensions of Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan’s life was his deep connection with the Mughal court. At a time when the Mughal Empire was waning, his spiritual presence offered comfort and inspiration to emperors, nobles, and soldiers alike. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar—himself a poet with a mystical heart—held Fakhruddin in profound reverence, proudly counting himself among his devoted admirers (Mutaqid Aqeedatmand). He often sought the saint’s blessings and guidance, drawing strength from his wisdom in an age of uncertainty. Beyond Zafar, other Mughal figures such as Shah Alam, Nawab Zabta Khan, and many senior courtiers were closely linked with Fakhruddin. Even military leaders and commanders from Mughal regiments were among his disciples, demonstrating how his influence extended across the corridors of power. For a crumbling empire, this bond between Sufi devotion and imperial authority acted as a spiritual lifeline, providing both legitimacy and hope. Remarkably, his appeal was not limited to Muslims. People of different faiths were drawn to his Khanqah, captivated by the universality of his message of love, peace, and service. His Delhi khanqah became a sanctuary where kings and nobles mingled with soldiers and common folk, all seeking the same solace under his compassionate gaze. Historical Significance The 18th century was a period of upheaval, the Mughal empire was fracturing, regional powers were asserting themselves, and European colonisers were beginning to cast long shadows over India. In this turbulent environment, the role of Sufi saints like Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan was not only to provide personal solace but also to anchor communities in an inclusive spiritual ethos. His Khanqah in Delhi became a living space of tolerance and unity, a counterpoint to the anxieties of the age. For historians and researchers, Fakhruddin’s life is a window into how Chishti ideals sustained their vibrancy during a time of uncertainty. He was not simply a mystic in retreat but a guide, a mediator, and a community leader whose influence reached beyond the walls of his Khanqah. Conclusion Hazrat Fakhruddin Fakhr-e-Jahan stands today as a luminous figure in the grand mosaic of Indian Sufism. From his birth in Aurangabad, nurtured under the saintly gaze of his father Hazrat Nizamuddin Aurangabadi, to his later years in Delhi as a beacon of the Chishti order, his life journey tells the story of love lived in service, and faith expressed through compassion. His dargah remains not just a historical monument but a living centre of devotion where qawwali still resounds, where seekers still gather, and where the timeless soul of Chishti Sufism continues to beat. In remembering him, one does not simply recall the past, but touches a tradition of love and inclusivity that still offers light in the present. References: 1. Takammlah Seerul Auliya 2. Khalas-tul-Fawaid 3. Manaqib Fakhriya 4. Risala Ain-ul-Yaqeen 5. Fakhr-ut-Talibeen 6. Tazkira-e-Auliya-e-Hind-o-Paak 7. Fakhr-e-Jahan Dehlvi 8. The Lost Sufis of Delhi: Forgotten Sufis & Heritage Encyclopedia ----- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is the author of 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', a bestselling research book based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/shah-zafar-spiritual-a-hazrat-fakhr-jahan-chishti/d/136534 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