Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) is considered among the most prominent Sufi saints and revered spiritual leaders of the Indian subcontinent. He was a master of the Chishtiya order and resided in Shahjahanabad (present-day Old Delhi).
Birth of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi
Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) was born on the 24th of Jumada al-Awwal in 1060 Hijri in Delhi. This was a period when Emperor Shah Jahan had made Delhi his new capital, and Shahjahanabad had become a hub of intellectual and academic activities, teeming with scholars and intellectuals. His esteemed father, Hazrat Sheikh Noorullah Siddiqui, was a renowned scholar and an expert in Indian sciences, geometry, and architecture. He was also a master calligrapher, and the inscriptions on the gates and arches of the Jama Masjid Delhi stand as timeless testaments to his artistry. The lineage of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) traces back to the first Caliph, Hazrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.).
His Early Education
Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) received his early education and upbringing under the supervision of his respected father. From childhood, he was exceptionally intelligent and sharp. Such was his brilliance that he would master lessons in just a few months that ordinary students took years to learn. This extraordinary intelligence and love for knowledge led him to be counted among the senior scholars at a young age. After completing his studies in Fiqh, Hadith, and other exoteric sciences, he turned his attention to esoteric knowledge for the awakening of his heart and soul. Consequently, he became constantly engaged in worship and spiritual exercises, and developed a special passion and love for the Divine.
Pledge of Allegiance to Hazrat Sheikh Yahya Madani
When Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) was overcome by inner restlessness and spiritual agitation, he sought a perfect spiritual guide who could lead him to the lofty stages of spirituality. In this quest, he traveled to Makkah Al-Mukarramah. There, a spiritually enlightened mystic guided him and advised him to pledge allegiance to the blessed hand of Hazrat Sheikh Yahya Madani (R.A.). He subsequently pledged allegiance to him and entered the path of Sufism.
Hazrat Sheikh Yahya Madani (R.A.), observing his potential and spiritual inclination, not only guided him through the inner spiritual stages in a short period but also, impressed by his spiritual perfections, bestowed upon him the mantle of Khilafat (spiritual succession). Furthermore, he granted him the high spiritual rank of Qutbiyat (Pole of the Age). After this, scholars and spiritual luminaries not only recognized him as a Sheikh and Murshid (spiritual guide) but also referred to him with titles such as "Alim-e-Rabbani" (Divine Scholar) and "Qutb-e-Waqt" (Pole of the Time).
Return to India
After being enriched with both exoteric and esoteric knowledge, and having received Khilafat and spiritual permission, when Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) set off for Delhi, his spiritual guide, Hazrat Sheikh Yahya Madani (R.A.), instructed him:
"A person residing in Old Delhi, named Sheikh Acha, has pledged allegiance to us in the spiritual realm. When you reach Delhi, meet him with sincerity and love, for he is also our follower and spiritual son, just like you. And deliver this Shajra (spiritual lineage) and Kullah (cap) to him from us."
Consequently, when he arrived in Delhi, Sheikh Acha, the other disciple of his Murshid, welcomed him with great respect and love, and treated him with profound sincerity. In this way, a center of his spiritual blessings was established in Delhi, and a large number of disciples and seekers began to associate with him.
Hazrat Sheikh's Spiritual Influence
The residence of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) was located between the Delhi Fort and the Jama Masjid, an area now known as Parade Ground. His blessed shrine is also a place of pilgrimage for many today. From this very spot, he initiated a river of exoteric and esoteric knowledge that benefited not only Delhi but also seekers and students of knowledge throughout the Indian subcontinent.
The impact of his exoteric knowledge was such that a vast system of teaching and instruction was established. Thirsty seekers of knowledge would come from far and wide to gain expertise in religious sciences. Along with his academic and spiritual services, he also bestowed several valuable literary works upon the Ummah. Some of these include:
Tafsir Quran (Commentary on the Quran)
Surat al-Sabil al-Kaleemi – a precious treasure of Sufism and gnosis.
Al-Ashara al-Kamila – an important Sufi book.
Kashkol-e-Kaleemi
Murqa-e-Kaleemi
Maktubat-e-Kaleemi (Letters of Kaleemi)
Tasneem
In addition to these, he authored countless treatises and books in which gnosis, Sufism, and spiritual journey hold a special distinguished place. His academic and spiritual legacy continues to be a guiding light for seekers of truth today.
Some Incidents from the Life of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi
He lived a very simple and humble life. His sole source of personal income was the rent from a house, which amounted to only two and a half rupees per month. The Khanqah's (Sufi lodge) kitchen was also sustained by the ideological offerings of his lovers and disciples. Emperor Farrukhsiyar repeatedly wished for him to accept a jagir (land grant) or a stipend, but he always refused, avoiding worldly entanglements and positions of power.
He avoided the company of kings and nobles and spent his time only in the gatherings of his sincere devotees and disciples. He had an immense fondness for Sama' (spiritual music), yet he did not allow anyone other than his disciples to enter his Sama' gatherings.
Once, while he was engaged in a Sama' gathering, the doorkeeper informed him that a young man named Nizamuddin was present and sought permission to enter. The doorkeeper respectfully stated, "You do not allow any stranger to enter." Hazrat replied:
"He is not a stranger; call him in."
Consequently, the same young Nizamuddin, who was considered among the influential scholars of that era, pledged allegiance to Hazrat's truthful hand and became his disciple. Later, this very Hazrat Nizamuddin attained the position of his chief Caliph. Hazrat Sheikh also bestowed upon his chief Caliph the Wilayat (spiritual governorship) of Deccan and sent him to Aurangabad. His blessed shrine there remains a center of spiritual blessings for people of heart even today.
His Caliphs
Although his circle of Caliphs was very wide, some names among them are more famous, such as Hazrat Maulana Nizamuddin Aurangabadi, Hazrat Muhammad Hashim, and Hazrat Maulana Shah Jamaluddin Ji Puri. Additionally, Shah Nano, whose shrine is in Masjid Fatehpuri, Delhi, and the shrines of Hazrat Maulana Abdul Majeed, Khwaja Yusuf, and Khwaja Sharif are in Hyderabad Deccan.
Demise of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi
When Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (R.A.) reached the age of 81, he passed away in Delhi on the 24th of Rabi' al-Awwal 1142 Hijri, corresponding to 1730 CE, after a brief illness. His blessed body was buried in the courtyard of his Khanqah. This Khanqah was located between the Jama Masjid Delhi and Shahjahanabad Fort, which remains a place of pilgrimage for both common people and devotees today.
Annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi
The annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Kaleemullah Shahjahanabadi (may Allah have mercy on him) is observed every year on the 24th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal at his blessed shrine in Delhi with great reverence and devotion. On this occasion, devotees, scholars, spiritual guides, and general visitors from near and far gather to participate in Qur’an recitation, gatherings of remembrance (dhikr), recitation of na‘at, and assemblies of sama‘. Through these blessed gatherings, people receive spiritual peace and benefit from his divine grace and blessings.