Chiragh-e-Dehli Hazrat Khwaja Naseeruddin Mahmood: The Illuminated Saint Who Upheld the Chishti Flame in Delhi

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 23 June 2025 A saint who carried light when Delhi lost its soul, Hazrat Khwaja Naseeruddin Mahmood Chiragh Dehlvi was the last great Chishti saint to carry forward the legacy of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Revered as the "Chirag-e-Delhi" (Lamp of Delhi), his life was a blend of rigorous spiritual discipline, humility, devotion, and quiet resistance. From Uttar Pradesh to Delhi, and through trials under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, he remained the embodiment of Chishti values. Main Points: 1. Born in Uttar Pradesh into a respected family of spiritual heritage. 2. Last Disciple and successor of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. 3. Spent years in jungles fasting, practicing deep spiritual austerity. 4. Suffered trials under Sultan Tughlaq but upheld Sufi dignity. 5. Passed away in 757 AH, buried with relics in Hazrat Chirag Dehli Dargah. ---- Introduction Hazrat Khwaja Naseeruddin Mahmood Chiragh Dehlvi was one of the revered elders Sufis in the Chishtiyya silsila and the last spiritual head of the Delhi-based central Chishtiyya leadership. A mureed and khalifa of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, he was bestowed the title "Roshan Chiragh-e-Dehli." He witnessed the collapse of Delhi and the disintegration of the silsila, yet remained resolute in preserving its true essence. His teachings, celibacy, sama, silent perseverance, and reverence for adab (spiritual etiquette) still echo through the spiritual practices of Chishti khanqahs across India. Early Life and Family Background Hazrat Khwaja Naseeruddin was born around 672 AH (1274 AD) in Ayodhya (some sources mention Barabanki), Uttar Pradesh. His lineage is subject to historical debate. According to Khazinat-ul-Auliya, he was a descendant of Hazrat Imam Hussain ibn Maula Ali, while other sources claim descent from Khaleefa Hazrat Umar ibn Khattab. His grandfather, Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Latif Yazdi, migrated from Khorasan (northeast Iran) to Lahore. There, Hazrat Khwaja’s father, Hazrat Shaykh Mahmood Yahya, was born. Eventually, the family moved to Ayodhya where they became known for their prosperous trade in woollen goods. The family was both affluent and spiritually inclined. Hazrat Naseeruddin lost his father at the tender age of 9. His mother, known for her piety, supervised his upbringing and education. She instilled in him deep religiosity, punctuality in salah, and a yearning for divine closeness. Education and Spiritual Discipline Hazrat studied classical Islamic sciences, including Bazoodi and Hidayah in fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). According to Khair-ul-Majalis, he studied under Hazrat Qazi Mohiuddin Kashaani. According to Siyar-ul-Auliya, he was taught by Hazrat Maulana Abdul Kareem Sherwaani, and after his death, completed his learning under Hazrat Maulana Iftikharuddin Gilani. At 25, Hazrat Naseeruddin renounced the materialistic world and entered deep mujahidah (spiritual struggle). For 8 years, he lived in the forests of Awadh with a dervish companion, maintaining fasts, and dedicating himself to worship. Bay‘ah and Devotion to Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya At age 43, Hazrat Naseeruddin travelled to Delhi and joined the circle of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Upon seeing him standing in humility offering to help dervishes wear their shoes, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya accepted him as a mureed. Hazrat Naseeruddin’s devotion was unmatched. Once, when a guest mureed lost his clothes, Hazrat Naseeruddin offered his own without hesitation. Hazrat Nizamuddin, upon hearing this, blessed him and gifted him new cloth. Though he once sought solitude in the jungle, Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya advised him to live among people and practice patience and service. Hazrat obeyed and continued his riyazat while serving society. After his mother passed away, he remained permanently in Delhi near his Peer-o-Murshid. Khilafat and Leadership of the Chishti Silsila As the final moments of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Naseeruddin was chosen as his khalifa. Despite Hazrat Ameer Khusro’s stature, Hazrat Nizamuddin famously said, “My heart desires Amir, but Allah desires Naseeruddin.” He handed over the sacred tabarrukaat (relics) to Hazrat Naseeruddin. He led the silsila with grace and sincerity. Even when starving, he wore his Pir’s jubbah mubarak (cloak) and fasted daily. He offered the best food to his guests, served them himself, and advised, “Eat for Allah’s sake, and expend your energy in His devotion.” Persecution by Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq Hazrat faced immense persecution under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who mistrusted the Chishtiyya influence. The Sultan appointed Hazrat as a royal attendant, tested him with luxury, and even imprisoned him for refusing royal duty. Once, food was served in golden dishes. Hazrat Naseeruddin poured the soup into his palm and consumed it—upholding simplicity. He accepted temporary service only to fulfil Hazrat Nizamuddin’s will. Later, when Sultan died in Thath, Hazrat Naseeruddin urged Prince Feroz Shah Tughlaq to rule with justice. He predicted a 40-year rule, which came true. This encounter, recorded in Tarikh-e-Firoz Shahi, marks his role in advising spiritual justice in statecraft. Title of Chiragh-e-Dehli Hazrat received the title "Chiragh" (lamp) due to his luminous presence: During the building of a water tank, oil was banned by the Sultan. Hazrat turned water into oil to keep lamps burning. Once, he didn’t want to turn his back in a mehfil. Hazrat Nizamuddin said, “A lamp has no back. It gives light in every direction.” Teachings and Malfoozat Hazrat continued to guide thousands through knowledge and example. Two main malfoozat collections remain: Khair-ul-Majalis by Hazrat Maulana Hamid Qalandar Shaair – 100 discourses (755–756 AH) Miftah-ul-Aashiqeen by Hazrat Maulana Muhibullah – covering tajalli, love, nafs, haal and qaal, and jazb Hazrat Naseeruddin emphasised internal purification (sehut-e-nafs), the balance between haal (state) and qaal (speech), and jazb (attraction to divine love). Death and Burial Hazrat Naseeruddin passed away on 18th Ramadan 757 AH (1356 AD), in Delhi. He appointed no Khalifa-e-Azam, stating no one could bear the silsila’s weight after Delhi’s fall. He ordered his tabarrukat to be buried with him: Khirqa of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya on his chest Asa (staff) at his side Tasbih on his right forefinger Kaasa (wooden bowl) under his head His Pir’s shoes under his arm Hazrat Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gaisu Daraz performed the ghusl and preserved the charpoy strings as a sacred relic. Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq built his mausoleum in 1358, later adding two gateways. Today, his dargah in Delhi remains a site of peace, where people from all backgrounds gather in prayer. Prominent Khalifas Hazrat did not name a single main successor but trained many khalifas who spread Chishti teachings far and wide: Hazrat Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gaisu Daraz – Gulbarga Hazrat Shaykh Danyaal – Satrikh, Barabanki Hazrat Shaykh Sadruddin Tabib – Delhi Hazrat Khwaja Sirajuddin – Firan Patan, Gujarat Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Muqtadir – Mehrauli, Delhi Hazrat Maulana Khwajgi – Kalpi, Bundelkhand Hazrat Shaykh Ahmad Thanesari – Kalpi Hazrat Shaykh Mutawakkal Kantoori – Bahraich Hazrat Qazi Shaykh Qawamuddin – Lucknow Hazrat Qutb-e-Alam – Bantwa, Junagadh Hazrat Shaykh Zainuddin Ali – Delhi Hazrat Shaykh Masood – Lado Sarai, Delhi Hazrat Mir Syed Jalaluddin Jahanian – Uch, Multan Hazrat Shaykh Suleman – Radauli, Barabanki Hazrat Syed Muhammad bin Jafar Makki – Sirhind Hazrat Syed Alauddin – Sandila, Hardoi Legacy Hazrat Naseeruddin foresight saved the Chishti ethos even after Delhi’s spiritual heart fell. He upheld the silsila’s core values independence from politics, service, and compassion. After his death, though the central Chishti leadership faded, the provincial khanqahs kept the flame alive. He remains one of the most respected saints in Indian Sufism. His dargah in Delhi is visited by seekers of all backgrounds. His light, teachings, and fragrance continue to guide hearts. Every year, during his Urs, dervishes gather for zikr, sama, and remembrance. ----- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/chiragh-dehli-hazrat-khwaja-naseeruddin-saint-chishti/d/135951 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