Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi, the first successor of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin, is one of India's most respected saints. He represented a vast ocean of both Islamic law (Sharia) and the spiritual path (Tariqa). He guided those seeking spiritual growth and also provided honest direction to ordinary people on matters of Islamic law. Through his blessings, the light of the Prophet's message spread widely across the subcontinent, bringing immense spiritual benefits to countless individuals. His noble personality is a source of pride not only for Delhi but for the entire Islamic world.
Birth of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi
His grandfather, Syed Abdul Latif, was a descendant of Imam Hasan (peace be upon him). After coming to India, he settled in Lahore, where his respected father, Syed Yahya, was born. Later, his ancestors moved from Lahore to Awadh. Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi was born to Syed Yahya in Awadh.Early Life of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi
Hazrat was very young when he began to show signs that clearly indicated he would one day become a shining star of the spiritual path. At just nine years old, he lost his father, and the full responsibility of his education and upbringing fell on his mother's shoulders. His mother faced many difficulties but never neglected his education. Under her guidance, he began to learn worldly sciences from Maulana Abdul Karim and Maulana Fakhruddin Jilani during his youth. Such was his devotion and piety in his early years that he never missed his congregational prayers. Most of his time was spent either in spiritual practices and striving or in acquiring worldly knowledge.Allegiance of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi
After completing his worldly education and going through the initial stages of spiritual practices, he felt the need for a spiritual guide. So, in search of a guide, he traveled from his home region of Awadh to Delhi. At that time, Hazrat Mehboob-e-Ilahi Nizamuddin was living in Kilokhari. When he met Hazrat Nizamuddin, Hazrat immediately recognized his inner qualities and allowed him to stay. From then on, he pledged allegiance to Hazrat Nizamuddin and began to receive spiritual blessings from him. He stayed with him day and night, and Hazrat Nizamuddin also showed him special attention. He spent his days and nights in the worship of Allah, becoming so absorbed in spiritual practices that he would sometimes go eight to ten days without eating or drinking.Desire to Live in the Wilderness
When Hazrat Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi began to feel a special joy and state in his worship and spiritual practices, his heart became troubled by the distractions of the world. He wished to separate himself from the noise of the world and sit peacefully in the wilderness to worship Allah. He shared this with Hazrat Amir Khusro, explaining that when he returned to his homeland of Awadh, he couldn't worship properly due to people's interference. He asked if the Sheikh would allow him to go into the wilderness to worship God. When Hazrat Amir Khusro conveyed Sheikh Naseeruddin's wish to Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Nizamuddin replied, "Tell him that he should remain among the people and endure their difficulties." After this command from his spiritual guide, he never again expressed a desire to go into the wilderness to worship.Some Incidents from the Life of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi
On one occasion, there was a Qawwali gathering at the home of one of Hazrat Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi's spiritual brothers, and he was present. When singing with musical instruments began, he got up and left. When his spiritual brothers asked him to stay, he replied, "I will not stay because listening to music with instruments is against the Sunnah (the Prophet's practice)." His spiritual brothers asked if he denied Sama (spiritual music) and if he had strayed from the path of his spiritual guides. He replied that the Book of Allah (Quran) and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah are most important. When this incident was told to Hazrat Mehboob-e-Ilahi Nizamuddin, he remarked, "His piety is great."Another incident happened when he was deep in meditation with his head bowed. A Qalandar named Turab, who had been his enemy for years, found an opportunity to enter his room and wounded him with sticks. When Turab thought he had killed him, he fled. The disciples caught him and brought him before Hazrat. The disciples wanted to punish him severely, but Hazrat Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi told them not to quarrel with him. Instead, he gave the Qalandar a generous amount of money and sent him away. Due to these wounds, he suffered severe pain. This incident shows his compassion and forgiveness.
Sayings and Teachings of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi
He spoke various words on different occasions, offering guidance for both ordinary and special people.He stated that he heard from his Sheikh that repentance has six types: repentance of the tongue, repentance of the eye, repentance of the ear, repentance of the hand, and repentance of the self. He then explained that the repentance of the tongue means to stop the tongue from all inappropriate talk and to avoid useless conversation.
He also stated that Khwaja Usman Harooni wrote in his book that every human organ has a desire and greed. Until a person purifies these organs from these desires, they cannot reach any spiritual level. For example, the eye desires to see, the hand enjoys touching and grasping, the ear has a greed for hearing, the nose has the ability to smell, the throat desires to taste, the tongue has the urge to speak, and the body desires comfort and luxury.
He also said that nothing is better than bringing comfort to someone's heart; this is superior to all other forms of worship.
Demise of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi and Shrine
Because he was often engaged in spiritual practices and worship, his absorption was so deep that he would sometimes go eight to ten days without eating or drinking. Due to excessive spiritual exercises, his health declined, and after a short illness, he passed away from this world on the 17th of Ramadan al-Mubarak, 757 Hijri. His blessed tomb, known as Dargah Chiragh Dehlvi, is famous near Delhi and is a pilgrimage site for everyone. Thousands of his devotees visit daily to seek fulfillment for their worldly and spiritual needs.
Urs of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi (RA) (Urs , death anniversary of Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi)
The annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi (RA), the celebrated Sufi saint and spiritual successor of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, is observed every year in Delhi on the 18th of Rabi‘ al-Thani. Devotees from across India and abroad gather at his shrine to recite the Qur’an, offer prayers, and participate in qawwali gatherings that highlight the Chishti message of love, humility, and service to humanity. The dargah is adorned with lights and flowers, while langar is distributed among visitors, creating an atmosphere of generosity and spiritual unity. The Urs of Hazrat Naseeruddin Chiragh Dehlvi serves as a reminder of his enduring role as the “last lamp of Delhi,” preserving the Sufi tradition of compassion, peace, and guidance