Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard: A Guiding Flame of Spiritual Discipline and Divine Poetry in an Age of Unrest

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 18 October 2025 Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard (1721-1785 CE), scion of the illustrious Naqshbandi lineage from Bukhara, transformed 18th-century Delhi's spiritual landscape through his revolutionary Tariqa-e-Muhammadiyya. A mystic-poet of unparalleled depth, he harmonised divine love with orthodox Islamic practice, creating a unique path that attracted emperors and commoners alike whilst opposing the pantheistic interpretations of his era. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard was born in 1721 CE into a noble Bukharan Naqshbandi family. 2. Hazrat became the first devoted disciple of the Tariqa Muhammadiyya’s revered founder. 3. He authored timeless mystical works like Ilm al-Kitab and Chahar Risala. 4. He emphasized strict Sharia compliance as the foundation of true divine realization. 5. Hazrat’s legacy endures, inspiring seekers toward sincerity, discipline, and divine truth. ---- Introduction In the fading light of Mughal Delhi, when the empire’s grandeur gave way to chaos, one radiant soul kept the spirit of faith alive. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard saint, poet, and reformer stood as a calm light amid the city’s turmoil. He was born in 1721 into a noble Naqshbandi family from Bukharan roots, he inherited not just a spiritual legacy but a sacred duty to revive the essence of Islam in an age of uncertainty. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard never left Delhi. He witnessed the invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali, yet his heart remained anchored in divine remembrance. Guided by his father, Hazrat Muhammad Nasir Andlib, Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard helped shape the Tariqa-e- Muhammadiyya—a path guiding believers back to the Prophet’s pure example through inner awakening and disciplined devotion. His poetry, gentle yet piercing, carried the fragrance of divine love and longing. Counted among the greats of Delhi’s literary age alongside Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Rafi Sauda, Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard used verse ji for faith. He stood apart as a saint who balanced Shariah with mysticism, passion with restraint—reminding seekers that true love of God blooms only within the garden of obedience. Early Life and Noble Heritage Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard was born on 19 Dhul Qa'da 1133 AH, corresponding to 13 September 1721 CE, in Delhi during the reign of Emperor Muhammad Shah. His birth occurred into a family that embodied the highest traditions of Islamic scholarship and Naqshbandi spirituality, tracing their noble lineage back to the city of Bukhara in Central Asia. His father, Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Nasir Andalib, was a man of spiritual distinction who had served as an officer in the Mughal administration before renouncing worldly pursuits for the path of divine realisation. The family's migration from Bukhara to India had occurred during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, when Hazrat Mir Dard's grandfather, Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Tahir Naqshbandi, brought with him the pristine spiritual traditions of the Central Asian homeland. The spiritual credentials of the family extended even further back, with their lineage connecting to Hazrat Baha Uddin in Naqshband himself, the founder of the Naqshbandi order. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard's early childhood was suffused with an atmosphere of learning and devotion. His father's house became a centre of spiritual and intellectual activity, where qawwals regularly performed and scholars engaged in theological discussions. The young Mir Dard absorbed this environment with exceptional receptivity, displaying from his earliest years an unusual depth of spiritual insight combined with literary brilliance. His education began under his father's direct supervision, encompassing the traditional Islamic sciences of Quranic studies, Hadith, Fiqh, Arabic grammar, and Persian literature. For Persian language and literature, he studied under the renowned scholar Hazrat Siraj al-Din Khan Arzu, one of Delhi's most distinguished literary figures. This comprehensive education laid the foundation for his later achievements in both mystical realisation and poetic expression. Spiritual Awakening and the Tariqa-e- Muhammadiyya Around 1735 CE, Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard’s father, Hazrat Naser-Moḥammad ʿAndalib, experienced a profound vision of Hazrat Imam Hasan. This vision inspired the foundation of the Tariqa-e-Muhammadiyya, or “Muhammadan Path,” aimed at reviving the pristine spirituality of the Prophet’s era. Hazrat Mir Dard became his father’s first disciple, earning the title Awwal al-Muhammadin (First of the Muhammadans), while his father was known as Amir al-Muhammadin (Leader of the Muhammadans). Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard elaborated the path with devotion and insight, emphasizing direct connection with the Prophet’s spiritual presence alongside strict adherence to Shariah. He described mystical stations surpassing traditional Fanaʾ Fi’llah (annihilation in God) and Baqaʾ Bi’llah (remaining in God), including the extraordinary stages of remaining in the Prophet and remaining in the spiritual guide. These experiences, he claimed, were unique to him and his father, blending profound spiritual realization with familial guidance. Literary Genius and Mystical Expression At the age of fifteen, Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard composed his first work, Asrar al-Salat, demonstrating early mastery of religious insight. Following the passing of his father’s spiritual guide, Hazrat Pir Mohammad Zobayr, in 1740 CE, Hazrat Mir Dard’s father, Hazrat Naser-Moḥammad ʿAndalib, sought to console his circle of friends through a mystical allegory in Hindi. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard later rendered this allegory into Persian as Nala-ye ʿAndalib (“Lament of the Nightingale”). After his father’s death, Hazrat Mir Dard completed the monumental work—an allegorical epic of about 1,600 pages depicting the journey of a nightingale that ultimately symbolises the Prophet. His prose masterpiece, ʿElm ul-Ketab, spanning over six hundred pages, presented the philosophy and methodology of the Tariqa Muhammadiyya. Composed after 1748 CE, it combined 111 Persian quatrains with extensive commentary on mystical experiences, interpretations of classical texts Hazrat Jalaluddin Rumi and stages of spiritual absorption culminating in his claim of being the Prophet’s true Khalifa. In the Cahar Risala (Four Treatises), Dard organized 341 aphorisms in each collection, numerically reflecting his father’s name, Naser. These works explored the entire spectrum of spiritual experience, emphasizing inner transformation, divine realization, and moral cultivation. His Urdu and Persian poetry further expressed mystical insight with simplicity, naturalness, and musical beauty. Dard claimed his verses were inspired by kashf (mystical unveiling) rather than intellectual composition, establishing him as a spiritual poet par excellence in the Delhi tradition alongside Hazrat Mir Taqi Mir and Hazrat Mirza Rafi Sauda. Theological Reform and Spiritual Principles Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard strongly critiqued the Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Existence) doctrine of Ibn Arabi, viewing it as a deviation from orthodox Sunni theology. Instead, he promoted the Naqshbandi principle of Hama Az Ust (“everything is from Him”), preserving Allah’s transcendence while acknowledging His creative and sustaining power. He emphasised Qorb Al-Faraʾez (proximity through religious duties) over mystical intoxication or supererogatory acts, rejecting the excesses of “shopkeeper shaykhs” and declining the label of “Sufi.” Yet, his writings incorporated terminology reminiscent of Ibn Arabi, seeking to describe humans as mirrors of divine names while pursuing the permanent essence behind transient manifestations. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard’s works reveal intricate symbolic depth. For instance, in the Cahar Risala, the repeated use of his father’s name, Naser, connected spiritual, prophetic, and divine themes. Even domestic life reflected this devotion, with servants bearing variations of the name, highlighting his holistic approach to spirituality. Cultural Engagement and Musical Patronage Though rooted in sober Naqshbandi discipline, Hazrat Mir Dard valued music and cultural refinement. He authored Ḥormat Al- Gena (The Dignity of Music) and hosted musical sessions at home, attended even by Emperor Shah ʿAlam II. These gatherings combined aesthetic enjoyment with spiritual reflection, including Qawwali performances that complemented mystical contemplation. He actively participated in literary circles at Zinat al-Masajed mosque, guiding poets and preserving high standards of classical Urdu and Persian poetry. His home became a vibrant hub for poets, scholars, musicians, and seekers from all social classes, reflecting his commitment to making spiritual and cultural pursuits accessible to everyone. Even during the devastating invasions of Nadir Shah (1739 CE) and repeated attacks by Ahmad Shah Abdali, Hazrat Mir Dard remained in Delhi, offering spiritual consolation and guidance, earning widespread respect and cementing his role as a pillar of the community. Death and Enduring Legacy Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard passed away on 29 Safar 1199 AH / 11 January 1785 CE at the age of sixty-six. He was buried in a modest graveyard outside Turkoman Gate, Delhi, reflecting his preference for inner spiritual focus over external display. His younger brother, Hazrat Athar, succeeded him in guiding the Tariqa-e-Muhammadiyya, ensuring continuity of both spiritual and literary traditions. The movement later inspired broader political and social engagement among followers, though Dard himself emphasized Prophetic guidance, Shariah observance, and inner realization over worldly influence. Hazrat Khwaja Mir Dard’s poetry and prose continue to be celebrated across the Urdu-speaking world. His couplet from Ilm al-Ketab reflects his outlook on life: دوستو، دیکها تماشا یاں کا بس تُم رہو خوش ہم تو اپنے گھر چلے ۔ My friends, we have seen enough of this play. We are going home, you can stay. This enduring message embodies his philosophy of detachment, devotion, and return to the eternal truth of the Prophet’s path. ------ Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-khwaja-mir-dard-spiritual-divine/d/137289 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