Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, revered as "Mahboob-e-Ilahi" (the Beloved of God), stands as a towering figure among the saints of India. His humble abode was a sanctuary where even the greatest emperors of Hindustan sought solace and guidance. Such was his eminence and popularity that rulers of this land often envied his widespread acceptance. Indeed, he played a pivotal role in spreading the light of spiritual guidance and illuminating the subcontinent with divine grace. History frequently remembers him alongside his devoted disciple, Amir Khusro.
Birth of Nizamuddin Auliya (RA)
Nizamuddin Auliya belonged to a Syed family that migrated from Bukhara during the reign of Shamsuddin and settled in Badaun. He was born into this noble family in 632 AH, during the reign of the Mamluk Sultanate. His esteemed father, Maulana Syed Ahmad, was a great scholar of his time. Although named Syed Muhammad at birth, he became renowned globally as Nizamuddin.Childhood of Nizamuddin Auliya
Tragedy struck early in his life; at the tender age of five, he lost his father. The sole responsibility of his education, upbringing, and care fell upon his mother, Syeda Zulaikha. With no other means of livelihood, Syeda Zulaikha supported her son by spinning cotton. However, the meager income from spinning was often insufficient to meet their expenses, leading to frequent periods of starvation.Nizamuddin Auliya's Intelligence
From childhood, he possessed extraordinary intelligence and a remarkable simplicity. His sharp intellect surpassed that of ordinary people, as evidenced by his accomplishments. By the age of sixteen, he was already counted among the leading scholars of his era. Upon completing his mastery of external sciences at sixteen, his mother gathered all the scholars of the city and personally tied a turban made from her own spun cotton on his head as a mark of his scholarly achievement. After attaining this distinction, he moved to Delhi with his mother and sister, continuing his studies in external sciences under Maulana Shams Malik, the teacher of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Within a short period, he attained further accolades in Delhi.Nizamuddin Auliya's Allegiance to Fariduddin
After acquiring proficiency in external knowledge, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya pledged allegiance to Hazrat Fariduddin Ganjshakar to quench his inner thirst for spiritual wisdom. Under his tutelage, he purified his soul and heart, delving into esoteric knowledge. Through extraordinary spiritual exercises and unwavering obedience, he achieved a high status with his spiritual master and was counted among his special disciples.
Khirqa-e-Khilafat and Arrival in Delhi
Upon the completion of his spiritual education, Baba Farid bestowed upon him the "Khirqa-e-Khilafat" (robe of succession) and sent him to Delhi. When he arrived in Delhi after receiving the Khirqa-e-Khilafat, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban was on the throne. Although some devotees tried to persuade him to reside within the city of Delhi, he chose to live in seclusion, three miles away from the city. However, within a few days, his popularity and widespread acceptance grew to such an extent that a continuous line of visitors stretched from the city to his residence. His Khanqah (hospice) became a bustling center, resembling a fair, attracting people from all walks of life, from the rich to the poor, who joined his circle of followers.Worship, Asceticism, and Teaching
Hazrat Nizamuddin's piety, spiritual greatness, and devotion can be gauged from the fact that he spent his entire nights in prayer and vigil, dedicating his days to teaching and instructing. Those who attended his lessons were imparted not only external knowledge but also inner spiritual secrets, making him a master of both exoteric and esoteric sciences. In a short span, his caliphs (spiritual successors) and devotees spread across the Indian subcontinent, from north to south and east to west, numbering in the thousands. Millions of Indians became followers of the Nizamia order.Nizamuddin Auliya's Dining Table
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya maintained an exceptionally vast dining table. Thousands of people would partake in meals at his Khanqah at a single time. On occasion, the influx of guests was so immense that thousands of maunds of salt would be consumed. His generosity was not limited to feeding Muslims and travelers; the poor, the disabled, and people of all faiths regularly ate their fill from his public kitchen and received monthly stipends.After feeding thousands, his routine was to eat barley bread and boiled vegetables. He did not abstain from fine food out of aversion but remarked, "When thousands of God's servants are starving on the streets, how can Nizamuddin eat delicious and elaborate meals?" This practice vividly illustrates his deep concern and compassion for the poor and needy.
Nizamuddin Auliya's Princely Expenses
The expanse of his dining table was so immense that even overflowing treasuries would have been insufficient to sustain it. Yet, despite the lack of a consistent income, his princely expenses never diminished until his last breath. The secret of where this immeasurable wealth came from remained veiled until the very end.There is no doubt that his devotees also presented large offerings to him, but he would spend more than he received while simply sitting. Once, Sultan Alauddin Khalji sent him 500 gold coins as an offering, which he immediately gave to a فقیر (mendicant) while sitting.
Not only his devotees and servants, but even his opponents received offerings from him. A man named Chhajju had a habit of insulting him every time he came, and in return, Hazrat would give him two gold coins as compensation. One day, he stopped insulting him and asked for his compensation, to which Hazrat replied, "Brother, you ask for your right, then give me my right too. Why did you forget it today?" In this manner, hundreds of people, even his adversaries, consistently benefited from his generosity.
His Dislike for Kings
Such was the awe and reverence surrounding Mahboob-e-Ilahi Nizamuddin that even mighty kings dared not approach his threshold. The reason for this was his profound dislike for the proximity of rulers. A poor person could visit his threshold and service whenever they wished, even holding his hand, but no king possessed such courage. Sultan Ghiyasuddin yearned for his sight but his wish remained unfulfilled. King Muizzuddin had immense devotion to Hazrat, but he was also not granted permission to visit. Consequently, he built a palace in the village of Kilokhari, near Hazrat's Khanqah, hoping to at least be in his proximity. Hazrat Nizamuddin would attend Friday prayers in the newly built mosque by the king but would not approach the king.When Jalaluddin Khalji became the king of Delhi, he also attempted to meet him but was denied permission. Alauddin Khalji was also an ardent devotee of Hazrat Mahboob-e-Ilahi. His devotion was such that he would have the poems recited that brought Hazrat Nizamuddin into a state of ecstasy during Qawwali. He persistently sought permission for an audience but was never granted it. This king even made his heir, Khizr Khan, and his younger son, Shadi Khan, disciples of Hazrat Nizamuddin. Although Hazrat Nizamuddin did not grant Alauddin an audience, he sincerely wished for Alauddin's well-being. Consequently, through Hazrat's prayers, Alauddin Khalji's reign was the most prosperous and glorious among the Khalji kings.
Kings' Animosity Towards Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA)
After the death of Sultan Alauddin Khalji, his third son, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, blinded and imprisoned Hazrat's disciple, Khizr Khan, the heir apparent, and then had him killed. Following this, Mubarak Shah became an opponent of Hazrat Mahboob-e-Ilahi simply because he was Khizr Khan's spiritual guide. Mubarak Shah initially ordered Hazrat to present himself at court for salutations. When Hazrat did not comply, it was decided to forcibly bring him to court. An order was issued that if he did not come on a certain date, he would be forcibly brought to court. However, on that very date, Mubarak Shah was killed by his beloved slave, Khusro Khan, who then seized the throne of Delhi.Later, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq killed Khusro Khan and ascended the throne of Delhi. At the instigation of others, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq convened a religious assembly to debate the permissibility of "sama" (spiritual music) with the intention of humiliating Hazrat Nizamuddin through the external scholars present. Hazrat Nizamuddin also attended this gathering and presented such compelling evidence and answers that all the king's scholars were left speechless.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's Miracle
Following this, King Ghiyasuddin had to embark on a campaign to Bengal. After completing the campaign, as he was returning, he sent a message through his servants to Hazrat Nizamuddin, ordering him to vacate Delhi before his arrival. Upon hearing the king's message, Hazrat said, "Delhi is still far away." The king continued to send similar messages until he reached Delhi, and Hazrat consistently gave the same response: "Delhi is still far away." When the king arrived within two to three miles of Delhi and settled in a palace, the palace suddenly collapsed, and the king met his demise.Demise of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya
In Rabi' al-Thani 725 AH, when Hazrat Mahboob Ilahi (Him) illness intensified, and he became certain of his impending passing. He commanded that all assets in his home and Khanqah be distributed among the poor and needy, which was promptly carried out. He then instructed the manager of the public kitchen to distribute the thousand maunds of grain accumulated there, leaving not a single grain behind. As the time of his demise neared, he would often fall into a state of unconsciousness. When he regained consciousness, he would ask if it was time for prayer, and if so, to be helped up to perform it. He would also inquire if any traveler had arrived, ensuring they were taken care of and fed.Thus, on Wednesday, 18 Rabi' al-Thani 725 AH, this beloved servant of God, dedicated to aiding the poor and remembering the Almighty, departed from this mortal world. Since he had not married, he had no children of his own, but he raised his sister's children as if they were his own.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Urs Date (Death anniversary of Nizamuddin Auliya)
The annual Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA) is observed with deep devotion and reverence at his dargah in Delhi every year on the 18th of Rabi‘ al-Thani. This Urs, marking his passing, continues for several days and draws countless devotees from across India and abroad. During the celebrations, visitors recite the Holy Qur’an, offer special prayers, and take part in soul-stirring qawwali gatherings that echo the Sufi message of love, peace, and humanity. The dargah is adorned with lights and flowers, while langar is generously distributed. The spiritual atmosphere of the Urs serves as a living reminder of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s enduring teachings of compassion, humility, and service to humanity