Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya

by Sidi Nawab Gudri Shah Baba
 

"In GOD's garden you gather roses,
Being drunk with Divine mysteries:
 Sidi Mehboob-e-Elahi (my lord beloved of GOD),
O, how I long for the attar (perfume) of your company

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya (d. 1325 A.D.) represents in many ways the pinnacle of the Chishti Order of the Sufis. Sidi Baba Farid, his spiritual guide, said to him on appointing him as his successor: "Be like a big tree, so that Allah's creation, the human beings in their vast multitudes, may find rest and solace under your shadow." This partly explains why he admitted so many (according to some, including Barani, too many) men into the Chishti order as his disciples. Another reason has been clearly formulated in this way: "History, nonetheless, bears out the wisdom of his open-ended policy . . . To far-flung areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan, Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal and the Deccan, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya sent able disciples well versed in the Chishti practices, yet sensitive to the needs of the local populace."

With regard to the Sufi path, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya taught the following: "For a dervish, three things are necessary. They all begin with an 'ain' (an Arabic letter), i.e., Ishq (love), Aql (intelligence) and Ilm (knowledge). Let us discuss these three qualities one by one.

Sufism is, in its essence, the way of love. Love is considered to be a spiritual alchemy by means of which the baser qualities of a human being are transformed into higher ones. In this respect it suffices to say that Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya is known as Mehboob-e-Elahi, the beloved of Allah. Of course the spiritual status of a beloved is much higher than that of a lover.

'Intelligence' changed in the hands of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya into wisdom. His wisdom manifested itself in the shape of service to humanity. About him it has been said: "He was not a miracle-monger of the ordinary sort. He never flew in the air or walked on water with dry and motionless feet. His greatness was the greatness of a loving heart; his miracles were the miracles of a deeply sympathetic soul. He could read a man's inner heart by a glance at his face and spoke the words that brought consolation to a tortured heart."

About 'knowledge', the third faculty of a dervish, it can be said that Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was one of the greatest scholars of his day. He wanted to become a Qazi, but gave it all up in his pursuit of inner knowledge. After becoming a Murid (spiritual disciple) of Sidi Baba Farid, he lived in extremely poor circumstances. Seeing him, a former friend expressed great surprise as he remembered Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya as one who had begun a very promising career as a scholar. When Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya told all of this to Sidi Baba Farid, his murshid (spiritual guide) suggested that he should recite the following couplet to his friend:

You are not my fellow traveller.
Tread your own path
May you be affluent.
And I downtrodden.

Then Sidi Baba Farid ordered him to take a tray of food from the kitchen and carry it on his head to his friend. After doing so, he recited the verse. This deeply moved his friend.

One day, someone told a story of a certain saint who expired while slowly repeating the name of Allah. The eyes of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya, who was listening to this story, filled with tears and he recited this quatrain:

I come running to the end of Your street,
Tears are washing and washing my cheek.
Union with You -- what else can I seek?
My soul I surrender as Your name I repeat.

1. Early Years

After leaving their homeland the city of Bokhara, the paternal grandfather of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya -- Khwaja Ali -- and the maternal grandfather of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya -- Khwaja Arab -- along with their family, came to India. At first they lived in Lahore, but later they took up their residence in Badayun (East of Delhi). Khwaja Arab married his daughter Bibi Zulaitaikha to Khwaja Ali's son Khwaja Ahmad.

The birth of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya took place on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar, i.e., the 27th of Safar 636 A.H. (1238 A.D.) Up to this day, his birthday celebration takes place. His shrine is bathed and the water thereof is distributed among the visitors.

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya' s father expired when Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was five years old. His mother brought him to a school where he learned to recite the Holy Qur'an. In a short time he mastered the seven ways of recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Then he studied Arabic grammar, Ahadith (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), commentary of the Qur'an and logic. At the age of twelve, he received the "turban of excellence." He was so sharp-witted, wise and understanding that he was given the title "Debater, capable of defeating the congregation." He became distinguished in the science of Tafsir (commentary on the Qur'an), in the knowledge of Ahadith, in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), mathematics and astronomy. Khwaja Shamsul Malik was among his most learned teachers. He received a testimony of knowledge of Ahadith from Maulana Kamaluddin. [2]

Although in that period, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya used to sit among the ulama (the scholars of Islam), he was more interested in the inner life. He often used to say: "In the days of youth, I used to live in the company of the ulama, but in my heart the thought used to come that I should go away from their company and turn my face to the Divine Teacher." [3]

II. Baba Farid

One day a certain Qawwal (Sufi musician), with the name of Abu Bakr, came from Multan (Pakistan) to Sidi Nizamuddin's teacher. The teacher asked for information about the Sufi Shaykhs of Multan. Abu Bakr answered thus: "I have lived in the company of Sidi Shaykh Bahauddin Zakaria of Multan and I have sung mystical couplets for him. In his Khanqah (Sufi monastery) the worship of Allah is very devoted, so much so that even the girls who knead the flour, while doing so, are occupied with the Zikr (remembrance of Allah). From there I went to Ajodhan (the present Pak Pattan in Pakistan). There I got the privilege of meeting Sidi Baba Fariduddin Gang-e-Shakar," That sovereign of love of GOD has conquered the world and the light of his moon has illuminated that area."

"When I heard these words of praise in regard to Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar," Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya says, I developed a sudden and intense love for him and I began to repeat his name after every Salah (prayer)."

The Qawwal (Sufi musician) had started his concert with this line: "The living serpent of love has bitten my heart." But then Abu Bakr could not recollect the second line. Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya helped him to do so, and seeing this, the Qawwal (Sufi musician) became very attentive towards him. From that day, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya became very much attached to Baba Farid.

III. Coming to Delhi

"When my eighteenth year began," Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya tells, "I travelled from Badayun to Delhi." Musamma Ayuz accompanied him in this journey. Ayuz was a staunch believer in the spiritual greatness of Baba Farid. Whenever he saw the slightest danger because of robbers or wild beasts, he would cry out: "O, Master-Guide! Come! I need your protection." "I asked him the name of that Master-Guide and Ayuz said: "It is the one who has caught your heart and got you enamoured," meaning Baba Farid. Thus from that day my faith in the Shaykh increased."

"When in Delhi, I stayed by chance near Sidi Baba Fariduddin's brother and caliph Sidi Shaykh Najibuddin Mutawakkil. My mother and sister were also with me. We rented a house in the neighbourhood of the great Shaykh, whose company was very valuable to me. In his presence, the qualities of Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar used to be described. On hearing them, I felt the desire of kissing his feet. For approximately three years I stayed in Delhi." [4]

IV. Meeting Baba Farid

One day Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya said to Shaykh Najibuddin Mutawakkil that he should pray to GOD, so that he (Nizamuddin) might become a Qazi. Then he would be able to spread justice among the creatures of GOD. The Shaykh remained silent. When Sidi Nizamuddin repeated his question, he answered thus: "GOD forbid that you be a Qazi; be something else!"

In those days, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya used to spend the nights at the Jama Masjid. One morning, the muezzin (the one who calls to the prayer) recited the following verse from the minaret:

"Is not the time ripe for the hearts
of those who believe to
submit to the remembrance of Allah"
[Qur'an 57:16]

Hearing this, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya's condition changed. It was as if he received spiritual illumination from every direction. And, without any food, he left Delhi in order to present himself to Baba Farid. At the age of twenty, on Wednesday the 11th of Rajab 655 A.H. (1257 A.D.), he reached Ajodhan. Coming before Sidi Baba Farid, he unsuccessfully tried to summon up courage to tell in detail how eager he was to see him. He could not do so, because of awe. Baba Farid then said: "Every newcomer is nervous." Thereafter Baba Farid recited this verse:

"O, the fire of separation of Thee,
Has made the hearts like roasted meat;
The flood of the fondness of Thee,
Has made the lives morose."

Then Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was honoured to be accepted as the mureed (spiritual disciple) of Baba Farid. Then Baba Farid remarked: "O, Nizamuddin! I wanted to entrust the domain of Delhi to someone else. When you were on the way I heard a voice to the effect that I should wait as Nizamuddin is coming. He is fit for this domain. It should be entrusted to him. So stay in our company so that after completing your inner training, we will appoint you as our successor and as the Wali-e-Hindustan (the Saint of India)."

Sidi Nizamuddin lived in the company of his murshid (spiritual guide) for seven months and a few days. In this short period, he became deserving of the succession of the great mystic Baba Farid. On the second of Rabi'ul Awwal 656 A.H. (1258 A.D.), Baba Farid bestowed succession and wilayat (Saint-hood) to Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya by giving him the special turban, which came to Baba Sahib from Chisht (Afghanistan). After coming to Delhi, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya ascended the throne of khilafat-e-piran-e-Chisht[5], i.e., he became a caliph of the Chishti Shaykhs. Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya came ten times to Ajodhan: three times in the life of Baba Farid and seven times after his death [6].

After residing in Delhi for a few days, he disdained the crowds of people and desired to withdraw himself to the desert. He then received a Divine inspiration that his place of residence should be Ghiyaspur, a small village outside the city of Delhi. First he had raised a temporary shed with a straw roof for himself and all his companions. After some time, a better place was constructed for him by one of his disciples, Ziauddin Wakil Mulk. Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya lived here for more than sixty years and never changed his place of residence. The khanaqah is still there and is visited by many people up to this day.

V. Death

After an illness of about four months he expired in 725 A.H. (1324 A.D.) and realized seclusion (i.e., was buried) in Ghiyaspur. The locality is named after him today.

VI. Nature

After passing the spiritual status of ghousiat and farwaniyat, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya reached the status of Mehboob (beloved). His personality was the container of divine secrets and his intentions were in harmony with those of Allah. He spread a very fine fragrance. Qazi Hamiduddin Kashani also became fragrant with this scent and unsuccessfully tried to wash it way. He narrated the incident to Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya, who explained it thus: "Qazi, this fragrance is of the love of Allah, which He gives to His lovers."

In the early period of his life he experienced great poverty. Although in Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban's time one could buy melons for very little money, the greater part of the season would pass without Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya eating a single slice. One day a pious woman brought some barley flour and presented it to him. He asked Shaykh Kamaluddin Yaqub to boil it in a cauldron. At that moment a faqir with a patched frock arrived and with a loud voice said: "O, Nizamuddin! bring whatever is present." Then Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya gave all the food to him. The faqir ate it all and then broke the cauldron. Hereafter he said: "O, Nizamuddin! You have received the bounties of the invisible world from Baba Farid and the bowl of visible poverty I have broken. Now you have become the sultan of both the visible and invisible world." From that day on, countless gifts started coming and free food was distributed to hundreds of visitors every day.

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was very generous as can be seen in the following narration, which can be found in Jami's "Nafhatul Uns." A merchant of Multan lost all his possessions to a band of thieves. He told Shaykh Sadruddin, the son of the famous Suhrawardy saint (Shaykh Bahauddin Zakaria of Multan), that he intended to go to Delhi and asked for a letter of recommendation to Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya. Then he was told by the great saint that he would receive all the gifts that would be given from the morning to the chasht (forenoon) prayers. About 12,000 golden and silver coins were received. All these were given to the merchant.

Every day large numbers of gifts used to be received, but they were distributed before the evening. More than three thousand needy people used to live on the langar (free feeding).

Shortly before his death, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya called Khadim Iqbal and said: "Whatever cash is present, bring it so that I may distribute it to the deserving." Iqbal replied: "Whatever gifts come, they are spent on the same day. But there are a few thousand tons of grain in our storeroom." Bring it out and distribute it to the deserving," said Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya.

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya had great love of sama (Sufi music). His friends, disciples and students used to perform such Qawwali (music) in his presence, that even animals used to stop and listen to it [7]. One day he was out for a walk, when he saw a person who was pulling water out of a well and was saying in a loud voice to his companions: "Remain outside today, brother!" Sidi Nizamuddin, after hearing this, started weeping, and his khuddam (servants) repeated that line until they reached home again.

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya remained a bachelor all his life. Once his kamarband (a rope used to fasten a pair of trousers) got away from his hand. Baba Farid then said: "Tighten the kamarband properly." Sidi Nizamuddin asked: "How should I do it? Baba Sahib answered: "Tighten it in such a way that except the houris of heaven, nobody is capable of opening it." Hearing that Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya put his head on the floor and did not marry . [8]

VII. Writing and sayings

Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya collected the discourses of his Pir-o-murshid in a book called "Rahat-ul-Qulodo."

Some of the sayings of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya:

1. The wilayat (domain) of gnosis and faith can suffer decay. The wilayat of compassion can not.

2. The love of Awliya (saints) is stronger than their reason.

3. The lock of spiritual perfection has very many keys. All those keys are to be possessed. If one does not open it, others can.

4. He who has knowledge, reason, and love, is deserving to become a caliph of the Sufi Shaykhs.

5. So long as is possible, give relief to your heart, because the heart of a good Muslim is the palace of the manifestations of Allah.

VIII. Miracles

Sultan Alauddin had the fear in his heart that Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya wished to rule the kingdom himself and that he was only waiting for the proper time and chance to overthrow him. As a test, he sent some complicated matters related to state affairs to Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya and asked for its solution. Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya reacted thus: "What have the dervishes, seated on rugs, to do with the affairs of kings seated on thrones? It is better that the time of the dervish is not wasted and conscience of the faqura is not put to test." When the king respectfully invited Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya to visit him, the latter answered thus: "The affections of a dervish should be seen as a bird to which distress is caused by the hawk of kingly shows. It is better and enough to keep acquaintance through greetings."

Khwaja Hasan, who had lived in the company of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya when he was much younger, along with all his friends, was involved in the drinking of wine. One day, near the mausoleum of Sidi Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Khaki, they met again. Khwaja Hasan then recited this verse:

"For years we have been in each others' company,
But your company did me no good.
Your piety could not correct my sinful life.
My sinful life is therefore stronger than your piety."

After hearing this verse, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya simply said: "There are different effects of company on different men." At once, Khwaja Hasan fell down at the feet of Sidi Nizamuddin and along with his friends became a murid (spiritual disciple) of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya.

One day a murid of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya prepared a feast for his Shaykh. Qawwals (Sufi musician) were also called and food was prepared. But when the same (music) started, thousands of people joined in. The host became worried because of the shortage of food. Feeling this, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya said to his khadim (servant): "Wash the hands of the people and let ten people sit at one place. Start giving the food after saying 'Bismillah' (In the Name of Allah)." It so happened that everyone had enough food and there was a great deal of food left over. [11]

It is narrated that a certain Shamsuddin was a very rich man and had no faith in the spirituality of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya. Instead he used to speak ill of him in his absence. One day, he was drinking wine with his friends and suddenly he saw Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya appear in front of him, who made a prohibiting sign with his finger. Shamsuddin then threw the wine in the water and started towards the house of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya after performing the ritual ablutions. Seeing him, Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya said: "Whoever is blessed by Allah, he abstains from sins like this." Hearing this, Shamsuddin became very astonished and with complete faith became his murid. He distributed all his money to the dervishes and in a short time became a Wali (saint) himself.

IX. A story

One day Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was listening to Qawwali (Sufi music) and in ecstasy, waving his handkerchief, said: "We regret, we have not become equal to the washermans' son even." At that moment no one dared to ask what he meant, but some days afterwards he was asked about it by Sidi Amir Khusru. The explanation of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya was like this: "The son of the washerman of the king, without seeing the princess, was in love with her. He used to wash her clothes with utmost care, and even mended and improved them by various means. Without seeing her, he used to moan and weep in the memory of her beauty. His parents became very worried. To speak about it is a problem and not to speak about it is a problem. We are washers and she is a princess. How can the dust of the earth be compared with the sky?

So they tricked him in order to try and change their son's ideas. One day his mother came to him with a grief-stricken face. He asked what was the matter with her. Then she explained "Today was the soyam (the third day after the death) of the princess whose clothes you used to wash. The boy three times asked: "Has she died?" -- and then with a shriek died.

On the fourth day, the washerwoman brought the clothes back to the princess. She asked: "Who has washed these clothes today? They do not look as clean as they used to be. Their neatness used to look as if love has been involved." Hearing this, the washerwoman became sad and started weeping. On being forced by the princess, she explained everything. The princess then wished to visit his grave. At once, when she was there, the grave cracked and the princess said: "It cracked at places. Ah! Whose grave is this? Probably a restless heart is buried in it." Then the princess fell down and died. [12]

X. Poetry

The following is a translation of Sidi Nizamuddin Awliya's famous poem in honour of the Prophet:

O breeze! turn towards Medina (and) from this well-wisher recite the Salaam (salutation of Peace).
Turn round the king of the Prophets (and) with the utmost humility recite the Salaam (salutation of Peace).
Sometimes pass the gate of mercy (and) with the gate of Gabriel rule the forehead.
Salaam (salutation of Peace) to the prophet of GOD (and) sometimes recite Salaam (salutation of Peace) at the gate of peace.
Put with all respect the head of faith on the dust there.
Be one with the sweet melody of Prophet David and be acquainted with the cry of anguish.
In the assembly of the Prophets recite verses from the humble being 'Nizam'.

Notes:
1. Astrabadi, Mohammed Qasim Hindu Shah: "Tarikh-e-Farishta."
2. Sijzi, Amir Hasan: "Fawwai 'du'l-Fu'ad."
3. Khrd, Amier: "Siyaru 'l-Auliya."
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Bulaq, Mohammed: "Roza-e-Aqtab."
7. Ibid.
8. Same as note 1.
9. Ibid.
10Ibid.
11Ibid.
12 the "Tazkara-e-Ghousiya."