The purpose of this website is to serve as a knowledge base and propagate the life and teachings of the famous South Asian Sufi saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishty (R.A), also known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz ("Benefactor of the Poor") and Sultan-ul-Hind ("Ruler of India"). Revered as a "Friend of Allah" (Aulia-Allah), we believe this site will be useful and informative for all who intend to visit Ajmer Sharif.
Additionally, the site aims to provide a basic insight into Sufi healing, which may benefit individuals considering this form of treatment for various ailments, regardless of race, religion, or gender.
Radiya'llaahu 'anh (R.A.) "May Allah be well pleased with him!" This benediction is customarily pronounced—and spelled out in writing—after mentioning the name of a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
About Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishty (R.A.)
Khwaja Sahib was born in 1141 or 1142 CE in Sistan, Iran. His paternal lineage traces back to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.), and his maternal lineage to Hazrat Imam Hassan (A.S.), making him a Sayyid—a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He grew up in Persia, and his father, Sayyid Ghiyasuddin, a pious man of some means, passed away when Khwaja Sahib was in his teens. Inheriting a windmill and an orchard, he was known for his piety and devotion from a young age.
One day, while tending to his orchard, a revered Sufi mystic named Sheikh Ibrahim Qundoozi visited. Khwaja Sahib offered him some fruits, and in return, the sheikh gave him a piece of bread to eat. Upon consuming it, Khwaja Sahib experienced spiritual enlightenment. He then sold his property, distributed the proceeds to the poor, and set off for Bukhara and Baghdad in search of knowledge and higher education.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty became the disciple (murid) of Sheikh Usman Harooni (R.A.). For twenty years, he accompanied his spiritual guide on arduous journeys, performing all sorts of personal services. He once told his own disciples, “I did not give myself a moment’s rest from the service of my Pir-o-Murshid (spiritual guide), carrying his night clothes during our journeys and stays.”
Pilgrimage and Divine Command
After achieving spiritual perfection, Khwaja Sahib was honored with his master's robe and accompanied him to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. They then proceeded to Medina to receive blessings from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). One night, in a spiritual vision, Khwaja Sahib received a command from the Prophet: “O Moinuddin! You are a prop of our faith. Proceed to India and show the path of truth to the people there.”
Journey to India and Spreading the Message
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty arrived in Lahore, where he meditated at the shrine of the prominent Sufi saint Sheikh Ali Hajweri (Data Ganj Bakhsh). He composed a couplet paying tribute to him:
"Ganj Bakhsh-e Faiz-e Alam, Mazhar-e Noor-e Khuda,
Naqisan ra Pir-e Kamil, Kamilan ra Rahnuma."
Translation: "He is a treasure-bestowing saint in this world and hereafter, an embodiment of divine light; a perfect spiritual guide for the imperfect and a leader for the perfect."
He then settled in Ajmer, India, where he attracted a substantial following and earned great respect among the residents. Khwaja Sahib practiced the Sufi concept of Sulh-e-Kul (peace to all) to promote understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Embracing Indian traditions, he introduced Qawwali (Sama) to convey his message, recognizing the local inclination toward music and singing.
Passing and Legacy
Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) passed away on 6th Rajab 633 A.H. (16th March 1236 CE) at the age of 97. He was buried in the same prayer room (hujra) where he spent his time in divine activities during his stay in Ajmer.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Located in the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah attracts a vast number of pilgrims from India and around the world. Dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (R.A.), the shrine is considered holy by people of all faiths, and visitors come with the belief that their wishes will be fulfilled.
If you visit the shrine, you will see an endless flow of visitors from all religions—the sick, the troubled, and the childless—seeking blessings or peace of mind. The central belief is that the saint is still conscious and attentive, capable of conferring blessings by acting as a channel for God's grace.
Emperor Akbar is known to have visited the dargah seeking blessings for a son. The shrine stands as a symbol of communal harmony, with people from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and other communities paying homage alongside Muslims.
Teachings and Philosophy
Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) exemplified the true spirit of Islam. Unlike orthodox theologians, he did not engage in vain metaphysics but strived to save human sympathy from narrow confines, striking at the roots of parochialism, casteism, and religious exclusiveness. According to him, religion is not merely based on rituals and formalities but on the "service of humanity" as its sole purpose.
He described the qualities that endear a person to God:
- Generosity like a river
- Kindness like the sun
- Humility like the earth
When asked about the highest devotion to God, he replied:
"To relieve the misery of those in distress, to fulfill the needs of the helpless, and to feed the hungry."
Khwaja Sahib loved humanity in general and the people of India in particular. His mission was to bring about a social and spiritual revolution. The concepts of national integration and composite culture originated from his lifestyle and teachings and were further spread by his disciples.
Perhaps in no other country were the effects of this social and cultural revolution so marked and far-reaching as in India. Sufism reached India during its most significant phase, organizing various denominations like Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Suhrawardi, and Chishti orders. Among these, the Chishti order has been supremely successful in the pluralistic society of India, based on cultural, religious, and social differences.