Heir of the Silence: Hazrat Burhanuddin Chishti Hanswi and the Jamali Legacy

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 17 July 2025 Hazrat Burhanuddin Chishti Hanswi was the son of Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi and the second Qutb of the Chishti-Jamali Silsila in Hansi, Haryana. A khalifa of Hazrat Baba Fareed, he continued the spiritual discipline, humility, and independence of his Silsila. Main Points: 1. Son of Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi, born in Hansi, Haryana 2. Received Khilafat from Hazrat Fareeduddin Ganjshakar (Baba Fareed) 3. Served as second Qutb of the Chishti-Jamali Silsila after father’s demise 4. Played a vital role in shaping early Chishti practices in northern India 5. Buried at Dargah-e-Char Qutub, Hansi, alongside family lineage saints ---- Introduction In the small town of Hansi in present-day Haryana, the Chishti-Jamali Silsila was shaped by four generations of saints. Among them, Hazrat Burhanuddin Chishti Hanswi stands as the modest bridge between the towering figure of his father, Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi, and his own accomplished son, Hazrat Qutbuddin Munawwar. As the second Qutb of the line, he ensured that the inner values of Khidmah (service), Ikhlas (sincerity), and detachment were preserved and transmitted quietly to the next generation. Early Life Hazrat Burhanuddin Chishti Hanswi was born in Hansi during the early 13th century. His father, Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi ( 659 AH / 1261 CE), was a Khalifa of Hazrat Baba Fareed and one of the earliest Chishti saints to establish a strong spiritual centre in Hansi. Hazrat Burhanuddin grew up within this Khanqah, surrounded by seekers, scholars, and visiting Sufi. His early education was steeped in Qur’anic studies, Fiqh, Adab, and the ethos of Chishti humility. Family Background He was the son and spiritual successor of Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi and part of a family revered across Haryana for its spiritual stature. While details about his mother and wife remain undocumented in any written source, his known descendants include Hazrat Qutbuddin Munawwar (third Qutb) and Hazrat Nooruddin (fourth Qutb). Together, they formed the spiritual lineage of the Chishti-Jamali chain, whose graves lie in Dargah-e-Char Qutub. Clarification on Name Similarity Hazrat Burhanuddin Chishti Hanswi should not be confused with Hazrat Burhanuddin Ghareeb Daulatabadi, who was the nephew of Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi, means related to him through his sister. While both were connected to Hansi and bore the same name, they were distinct individuals with separate Silsila. Bay‘ah and Khilafat Hazrat Burhanuddin pledged Bay’Ah to Hazrat Fareeduddin Ganjshakar (Baba Fareed), under whom he completed his spiritual training. Upon receiving Khilafat, he remained in Hansi to strengthen the Khanqah system founded by his father. His Khilafat is mentioned in oral Tazkiras and preserved in local Dargah traditions, where he is referred to as a "silent Qutb" who never sought courtly recognition. Hazrat Baba Fareed is known to have acknowledged the Hanswi Khanqah as a dependable spiritual outpost. After Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanswi’s demise, he is said to have remarked, “The garden shall bear more fruit,” in reference to Hazrat Burhanuddin, symbolizing trust in his quiet firmness. Teachings and Role Hazrat Burhanuddin was not a prolific speaker, nor did he leave any Maktubat or writings. His influence was exercised through presence, Adab, and continuation of Chishti practice. He emphasized humility, silence, and Khidmat as daily forms of Ibadah (worship). His leadership at the Khanqah ensured the values of non-alignment with political powers and self-reliance. He nurtured his son, Hazrat Qutbuddin Munawwar, in the same Silsila and sent him to Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya for higher spiritual training. The Khanqah under Hazrat Burhanuddin functioned not just as a retreat for ascetics but as a space of social healing. Travelers, orphans, and faqirs regularly received food and care. While Hazrat Burhanuddin himself did not seek publicity, the khidmat-based work made the Hansi Khanqah respected across the region. His emphasis on serving without expecting return reflected the core of Chishti thought. Death and Legacy Hazrat Burhanuddin passed away in 699 AH (1299–1300 CE) and was buried in the sacred Chishti compound now known as Dargah-e-Char Qutub in Hansi. His grave lies beside his father, son, and grandson, making the compound a symbol of uninterrupted Chishti legacy. Though less known than his predecessors and successors, his quiet tenure ensured the survival of the Jamali branch through changing dynasties. The annual Urs of the compound is held in Muharram, though no separate Urs date is recorded for him individually. Today, the shrine of Hazrat Burhanuddin lies alongside those of his father, son, and grandson in Hansi’s Char Qutub complex. Though not widely publicized, the compound draws local devotion. During Muharram, especially around 7th to 10th, simple gatherings of zikr and langar are held to honor the saints, reflecting the simplicity they themselves lived by. His legacy survives not only in books or political engagement, but in the Silsila he preserved with utmost humility. The line of saints that followed, especially Hazrat Qutbuddin and Hazrat Nooruddin, reflect his success in transmitting the Chishti light without deviation. ---- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. 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