Thursday, June 26, 2025
Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi: The Scholar Who Anchored the Chishti Flame in Hansi, Haryana
By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam
26 June 2025
Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi also known as Qutb Jamal was a prominent 13th-century Chishti saint, khalifa of Hazrat Baba Fareed and one of the most revered spiritual figures of Haryana. His teachings, silence and literary depth left a lasting mark on the Chishti silsila.
Main Points:
1. Born in Ghazni, migrated to Hansi, from the lineage of Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa.
2. Preacher of Hansi, took bay‘ah at age of fifty from Hazrat Baba Fareed.
3. Hazrat Baba Fareed stayed with him for twelve years and appointed him as his khalifa.
4. Authored Mulhimaat and a Persian Diwan; emphasised silence, purity and spiritual discipline.
5. Passed away in 659 AH in Hansi; Hazrat's dargah is part of the Char Qutub shrine.
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Introduction
Among the early saints of the Chishti tradition in India, Hazrat Shaykh Jamaluddin Ahmad Hanswi widely known as Qutb-e-Jamal, played a quiet yet towering role in shaping the spiritual geography of north India. Born in Ghazni in 583 AH (1187 CE), he migrated to Hansi in his childhood. A wealthy scholar and preacher before embracing Sufism, he later became the khalifa of Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin Ganjshakar and one of his closest companions. His life, marked by silence, wisdom, and literary brilliance, continues to inspire seekers across the subcontinent.
Early Life and Family Background
Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi was born in Ghazni, Khorasan, around 583 AH (1187 CE). His family traced their ancestry to Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa. Around the age of five, his family migrated to Hansi (in present-day Haryana, India), where they became landowners and respected religious figures. Though the names of his father and grandfather are not well recorded, their social and spiritual influence is acknowledged in oral histories. Hazrat Jamal received a refined Islamic education early in life, becoming proficient in Arabic, Persian, fiqh, tafsir, and hadith.
He gained fame as a Khateeb (preacher) in Hansi and lived a prosperous life. His eloquence, intellect, and command over religious sciences were widely respected. In his early years, there was no visible inclination towards the Sufi path his spiritual transformation came later in life.
Spiritual Turning Point and Bay‘ah
At approximately the age of fifty, Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi travelled to Pakpattan to seek out Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin Ganjshakar, the then-head of the Chishtiyya silsila. After a brief but deepening interaction, he offered his bay‘ah (spiritual allegiance) to Hazrat Baba Fareed. This proved to be a pivotal moment in his life. The wealthy preacher renounced his property and titles, choosing instead a path of rigorous asceticism and spiritual seclusion.
So deep was his sincerity and discipline that Hazrat Baba Fareed not only accepted him as a Mureed but travelled to Hansi and stayed under Hazrat Jamal’s spiritual company for twelve years. Hazrat Baba Fareed eventually conferred Khilafat (spiritual succession) upon him, making him one of his top Khulafa.
Teaching Style, Literature, and Disciples
Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi’s Sufi style was deeply rooted in silence (samt), renunciation (Zuhd), and discipline (Riyada). He followed the Chishti principles strictly—“Kam Bol, Kam Kha, Kam So” (speak little, eat little, sleep little). His life was a living embodiment of the Chishti message of simplicity and internal illumination.
He authored the Arabic treatise Mulhimaat, a compilation of spiritual aphorisms and reflective sayings. He also composed a Persian Diwan in two volumes, though rare today. Other attributed works like Pandnama Farsi and Umdat-ul-Waizeen are considered lost.
His disciples included his own son Hazrat Burhanuddin, who later became a Khalifa of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and his grandson Hazrat Qutbuddin Munawwar. His great-grandson Hazrat Nooruddin also followed in the Sufi path. His cousin is believed to be the famous saint Hazrat Bu Ali Shah Qalandar of Panipath, highlighting a family deeply immersed in spiritual traditions.
Notable Incidents and Relationships
One of the most famous spiritual anecdotes involving Hazrat Jamaluddin was when Hazrat Shaykh Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, a leading Suhrawardiyya saint, asked Hazrat Baba Fareed to send him Hazrat Jamal. Hazrat Baba Fareed responded:
“Tabdeel Maal Mein Hoti Hai, Jamaal Mein Nahin.”
(Exchange happens in material goods, not in beauty.)
This deeply poetic refusal became iconic, reflecting Hazrat Jamal’s unmatched value in Hazrat Baba Fareed’s eyes.
He was also closely respected by Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, with many of his judgments and teachings circulating within the broader Chishti network. He once tore a Khilafat letter he found unworthy and Hazrat Baba Fareed supported the action, showing his spiritual maturity and judgment.
Death and Continued Legacy
Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi passed away on 12 Shaban 659 AH (1261 CE) in Hansi. His Mazar (Dargah), known as the Char Qutub Complex, houses not only his grave but also those of his son, grandson, and great-grandson, making it a significant site for followers of the Chishtiyya Silsila.
Post-Partition, the shrine was neglected for some time. In 1961, it was revived by Hazrat Shah Waliur Rehman Jamali, and the annual Urs was reinstated. To this day, thousands of devotees attend his Urs, held in the month of Shaban, with Qawwalis, Mehfils, and special prayers in his honour.
His descendants have continued to hold spiritual and social positions of importance. Among them is Justice Jamali, former Chief Justice of Pakistan, who is said to be from his line.
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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-hanswi-scholar-anchored-chishti-flame/d/135990
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