Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya: A Beacon of Love and Humanity

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 24 October 2024 The Article Explores the Life and Teachings of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, A Revered Sufi Saint Known for His Messages of Love, Compassion, And Service. His Legacy Continues to Inspire Spiritual and Cultural Practices in Contemporary Society Main Points: 1. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, orphaned at a young age, was nurtured in spirituality by his mother and later became a disciple of Baba Farid. 2. He established a community centre in Delhi, promoting love, service, and social justice for all. 3. His philosophy emphasized divine love, compassion, and religious pluralism. 4. Prominent followers, like Amir Khusro, continued his legacy in Sufi literature. 5. Hazrat Nizamuddin’s teachings influence various art forms and contemporary narratives, highlighting their relevance in today’s society. ----- Wikimedia Commons ----- Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was born in 1238 in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, into one of the most respected Chishti Order Sufi saints. The life and teachings of the great saint had such an impact on the Indian subcontinent that can be seen for centuries. Best known for his message on love, compassion, and service, Nizamuddin Auliya's impact was not confined to only spirituality but touched the socio-political and cultural texture of Delhi in his days and even later. Early Life: Base Ground of Spiritualism Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was born in a Sayyid family. His father was Syed Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Hussaini Badayuni. Nizamuddin was a very young child of only five years when he was left orphaned by his father's death. This was an early loss, which was the beginning of a pivotal spiritual journey that shaped his outlook. His mother, Bibi Zulekha, raised him, and it is said that young Nizamuddin was highly inclined towards spirituality and religious studies. His mother played a critical role in his development simultaneously building up in him values of compassion and humility. Hazrat Nizamuddin left for Ajodhan, which is today Pakpattan in Pakistan, at the age of 20. There, he became a disciple of the great Sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar, popularly known as Baba Farid. His association with Baba Farid would prove to be a major turning point for Nizamuddin in his spiritual life. He started visiting Baba Farid every year, especially in the sacred month of Ramadan. It was during his third visit to Ajodhan that Baba Farid realized Hazrat Nizamuddin and proclaimed him as his successor, a destiny in itself that was to change the course of his life. All this Hazrat Nizamuddin found on coming back to Delhi only to discover that Baba Farid had left for his maker, thus turning him to dedicate his whole life to spreading the ideology of his master and to serve the world as an embodiment of love and devotion. Setting up the Khanqah: An Abode for All He returned to Delhi on being declared the successor of Baba Farid. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya settled in Ghiyaspur, a peaceful neighbourhood in Delhi that avoided the noise of city life. There, he established a Khanqah, which became a shelter for people from all segments of society. It was more than just a place of worship; it was a popular community center for the dissemination of spiritual education, social justice, and humanitarian efforts. It became an important place as the people, whatever their status in society or economy, could gather here. Hazrat Nizamuddin believed that "One who serves becomes the master." This philosophy not only led the acts of his life but also inspired countless disciples and followers toward acts of kindness and service. The Khanqah of Nizamuddin became established through the act of food delivery for the starving, their shelter for those in need, and bonding as brothers for all who visited. Preaching: The Heart of Nizamuddin's Spirituality Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's teachings revolved strongly around the idea of divine love. He made it apparent that the capability to love is realized only in the realization of love for humanity, where the thought of man is intertwined with God. His radical thought was not one of disjoining the relationship we have with God from the relationships we have with mankind. Compassion, humility, and service are all based on his principles. Hazrat Nizamuddin's philosophy advocated religious pluralism and coexistence. He thought different ways lead to the same divine truth and asked his followers to respect, understand, and appreciate the diverse religious traditions prevailing around them. This view was revolutionary for its time, when sectarian differences were pronounced. Moreover, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya emphasized renunciation and absolute reliance on God. He taught one that material accumulation and positions of society should not describe the worth of a man. He promoted the life centred on spiritual values when inviting his disciples to dive deeper into an inner life of yearning and sincerity. His renunciation of worldly aspirations touched the hearts of all who sought a greater state of connection to the divine. Discipleship: Developing Spiritual Legacy Several disciples followed Nizamuddin Auliya throughout his life; many of them attained high spiritual degrees and also wrote important works on Sufi literature, poetry, and music. The most important among them was a great poet Amir Khusro, whose style still inspires generations today. The bonds between them were marked by profound mutual respect and affection. It is said that Nizamuddin once requested to be buried next to Khusro, a confession of the deep bond that existed between them. A prominent disciple was Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag Dehlavi who was given the responsibility to take lead of the Chishti Nizami order after Nizamuddin. He continued the work initiated by Hazrat Nizamuddin. The essence of Hazrat Nizamuddin's teachings is seen in the works of his disciples: those themes where acts of love, bhakti, and social justice are reported. Hazrat Nizamuddin was also very liberal in accepting any individual who showed interest in getting his teachings and the result was that people from all sections of social life used to gather around. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of a society which looked forward for spiritual development as well as shared sacraments and hence, the notion of attaining spiritual enlightenment would not be out of anyone's reach. The Dargah: A Spiritual as Well as Cultural Epicentre Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya died on April 3, 1325. Long after his death, his influence kept playing out through the shrine he had bequeathed, Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, which had first been established in 1562 and became a sort of spiritual hub in the cosmopolitan capital Delhi. Every week, the Dargah welcomes thousands of visitors, showing that Hazrat Nizamuddin remains extremely relevant in modern society. The architecture of the Dargah is an elegant fusion of Indo-Islamic styles, boasting a magnificent white dome that has become a key landmark in the area. The complex is replete with exquisite Jalis-venues adorned with decorative lattice screens-and is circumscribed by an idyllic courtyard where devotees congregate for prayer and contemplation. Above all, the Dargah is known for its evening qawwali sessions, where religious music fills the air, filling all present with an ecstasy of spirits. The complex of Dargah houses the shrine of Amir Khusro and represents an eternal union between the lover and his ardent disciple. Though the Urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is celebrated with great fanfare, one can see followers of all walks of life, which shows that his message has reached out to the entire world. Cultural Value and Heritage The teachings of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya have survived the different campaigns of Muslim and Christian orthodoxy in transcending the boundaries of religion that went across to influence not only Sufism but the cultural ethos of India in all its arts: music, poetry, and literature. His teaching has had an emphasis on love, compassion, and selfless service, resonating through various art forms, such as Qawwali, wherein this great tradition originated in the Sufi context. Even today, the very interesting aspect is that the Dargah remains an important centre of this form of singing and expression, which is a means of reaching God. Contemporary Indian cinema has not been an exception either. His life and teachings inspire many modern cinema films, such as "Delhi 6," that include songs in his honor and show how significantly he is present in the very narratives of the contemporary collective psyche. In fact, "Kun Faya Kun" from "Rockstar," which praises Nizamuddin's spiritual philosophy, became a cult, thereby strengthening his ideas in the minds of the people of today. Relevance of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Today In a world that the trend increasingly reveals as segmented and rife with internal strife, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's message remains profoundly applicable even today. The importance of love and service in building a harmonious society, his teachings remind us, constitute the man's great bequest. That unity-spirit among people from different backgrounds he fostered continues to inspire movements for peace and social justice. In the global context in which communal tensions are so oftentimes surfacing, Hazrat Nizamuddin's call for compassion and understanding presents one with a road map toward reconciliation. His life would epitomize the vision that spiritual growth is not a purely individual pursuit but a journey that is collectively towards awakening and embracing our shared humanity. Conclusion Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya remains such a pious Sufi saint, teacher, and humanitarian figure who inspires millions around the world today. His life and teachings illuminate the transformative power of love and service and challenge us to transcend our differences to embrace common humanity. His philosophy is encapsulated in the feeling that "One who serves becomes the master"- inviting each of us to follow acts of kindness and compassion. As we struggle with this world that we are living in, so much can be derived from Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, guiding us as truly as we needed, forever into finding deeper understanding through love, humility, and service. His legacy teaches that by serving others, we not only enrich their lives but also embark on a journey toward our own spiritual mastery. ----- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and a Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam.He is currently working on a book based on Sufism in Bihar. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/nizamuddin-auliya-beacon-love-humanity/d/133527 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