Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi (may Allah have mercy on him) was one of the greatest spiritual masters (Akābir Mashā’ikh). He was a saint who perfectly combined the beauty of the spiritual path (Jamāl-e-Tarīqat) with the perfection of divine reality (Kamāl-e-Haqīqat). He is counted among the earliest masters of the Chishti spiritual order (Silsila). His blessed lineage connects back to Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.). He was the nephew, Caliph, and successor of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.).
Birth
According to biographers, Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf was born in the year 375 Hijri.
- Father's Name: Syed Muhammad Sam’an, who belonged to a respected family of Syeds (descendants of the Prophet).
- Mother's Name: She was the sister of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.), which meant Khwaja Abu Muhammad was his maternal uncle (Mamoo).
The Divine Dream: One night, his uncle, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti, received a divine indication in a dream to marry his sister to a very pious and noble man named Sam’an. Following this instruction, he arranged the marriage. Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi was born from this blessed union.
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti loved his nephew deeply, treating him like his own son and personally ensuring his spiritual training and upbringing.
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Marriage
The event of his marriage is considered very blessed and spiritually significant. It is narrated that when his uncle, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti, passed away, Khwaja Nasiruddin was about thirty-six (36) years old.
Some time after the passing of his uncle, he set out towards Herat. On the way, he reached a place called Kunk, where a very pious, ascetic, and God-fearing Dervish lived. This Dervish had a daughter who was virtuous, pure, and beautiful.
The Vision: One night, the Dervish’s daughter dreamt that the full moon descended from the sky, came near her, and said:
“You are my wife; I have asked for you from God.”
In the morning, she told the dream to her father. The father then went to Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi and asked for the dream's meaning.
The Khwaja smiled and replied:
“That moon is me, and your daughter’s destiny is with me. I have also asked for her from God.”
Hearing this, the Dervish was extremely happy and married his daughter to Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti.
The Khwaja took his noble wife and returned to his homeland, Chisht.
Blessed Progeny: Two illustrious sons were born from this pious lady:
- Hazrat Khwaja Mawdud Chishti (R.A.)
- Hazrat Khwaja Tajuddin Abul Fatah (R.A.)
Both of these great men later became shining stars of the Chishti order.
Miracles (Karāmāt) of Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti
One of the most famous miracles of Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi is as follows:
1. The Spring of Water:
One day in the summer season, he went for an excursion towards the jungle with a few loyal friends. When the intense heat and sunlight exhausted everyone, his companions felt severely thirsty. They requested the Khwaja, saying, "O Hazrat! We urgently need water."
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti calmly placed his staff on the ground, then struck a large stone with it. As soon as the staff hit the stone, a stream of clean and clear water gushed out. He drank from the spring himself and satisfied all his companions.
- This spring continues to flow as a blessing (Tabarruk) to this day. Its special feature is that the water is warm in winter and extremely cold in summer.
- Pious people say that if a person suffering from a fever drinks this water with faith and devotion, they receive healing by the grace of Allah.
2. Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Second Miracle (Lengthening the Beam):
On another occasion, Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi was traveling. Along the way, he saw some people busy constructing a mosque. When he got closer, he noticed that a wooden beam (Bīm) meant for the roof was one yard too short, preventing the roof from being completed.
Seeing this, he dismounted from his horse, calmly picked up the beam, and placed it over the wall. The people present saw that as soon as the Khwaja placed the wood, it miraculously lengthened by one yard, and the roof was completed perfectly.
Everyone present was amazed by this sight and offered thanks to God.
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Seclusion (Khilwat Nashīnī)
When Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi reached the age of fifty, he built a cell (Hujra) near the blessed tomb of Hazrat Khwaja Haji (a Caliph of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami). This cell was built in an underground room (Tay Khana), so he could engage in seclusion and devotion to God.
He remained in continuous spiritual retreat (I'tikaf) in this cell for approximately twelve years. During this period, he was constantly busy with the remembrance of God, worship, spiritual struggle (Mujāhida), and meditation (Murāqaba). His spiritual state reached such a high level that fairies, Jinn, and the 'Men of the Unseen' (Rijāl-ul-Ghaib) often came to visit him.
It is narrated that Hazrat Khwaja Abdullah Ansari (R.A.) also frequently visited him for spiritual discussions.
The number of his disciples reached thousands, including humans, fairies, and Jinn.
It is also mentioned that two of his Jinn disciples would stay in the form of snakes in front of his chamber door, guarding him. No unauthorized person could approach without permission.
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Love for Sama' (Spiritual Music)
Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi had a profound love for Sama' (spiritual music), as he believed it was not merely spiritual songs but a means to access divine secrets (Asrār-e-Ilāhī).
It is narrated that when he experienced a state of ecstasy (Wajd), rays of light would emanate from his forehead, showing the light of his heart.
Addressing the Controversy: Once, someone asked him why Hazrat Junayd Baghdadi (R.A.) denied Sama' if it contained divine secrets. The Khwaja replied with great wisdom:
- He said that Hazrat Junayd Baghdadi's Caliph, Hazrat Shibli, attended his gatherings and listened to Sama' because he knew the reality of Sama' and the purity of the intention.
- He explained that Junayd Baghdadi repented because he could not find the true Sama' combined with sincere intention (Ikhlās-e-Niyyat). Anyone who listens to Sama' without sincerity and true knowledge must repent, as such Sama' becomes a pleasure for the ego rather than a spiritual upliftment.
- He further stated that had Hazrat Junayd been present in his Sama' gathering, he would never have repented, because the Sama' in his assembly was wholly immersed in the remembrance of God, love, and divine passion.
Finally, he stated:
"The reality and divine knowledge achieved in a moment of Sama' cannot be gained even through one hundred years of worship."
This saying is a testament to his high level of knowledge, divine love, and spirituality.
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Death
When the time of Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti Sarmadi’s passing approached, he appointed his elder son, Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Mawdud Chishti (R.A.), as his successor (Jānashīn) and representative. He advised him to always follow the path of sincerity, humility, and service to humanity (Khidmat-e-Khalq).
He passed away on 3rd Rajab, 459 Hijri. At that time, the Abbasid Caliph Abu Ja’far Abdullah Al-Qaim bin Al-Qadir was the ruler. His blessed tomb (Mazār-e-Mubārak) is located in Chisht Sharif, Herat (Afghanistan), and remains a source for spiritual blessings and grace for visitors today.
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Urs Date
Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti's Urs is celebrated every year at his resting place herat , afghanistan at 13 Rajab islamic Month . Loves and seeker of divine love come at this ceramony to get their hearts awakened and lightened.