Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was a very important elder and a highly respected figure among the great Sufis of the Chishti lineage. He was the son and successor (Khalifa) of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.). He was considered a perfect Saint (Wali), a dedicated worshipper (Zahid), a devout person (Abid), and an enlightened spiritual master of his time. He belonged to the region of Chisht in Afghanistan, from which the Chishti spiritual order (Silsila) gets its name.
He received education in Tasawwuf (Sufism), Fiqr (poverty/simplicity), and spiritual journey (Suluk) from his father. He spent his life in worship, remembrance of God (Zikr-e-Ilahi), serving humanity (Khidmat-e-Khalq), and loving the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) carried forward the spiritual blessings (Fuyooz-o-Barakat) of the Chishti Order. It was through his spiritual lineage that later great Saints like Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri (R.A.) spread this order in the Indian subcontinent.
The Birth of Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti
The events surrounding the birth of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) were strange and filled with blessings. It is narrated that when his respected mother was pregnant with him, she often heard the sound of 'Zikr-e-Ilahi' (remembrance of God) coming from her womb. His father, Hazrat Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.), also felt this spiritual presence. Whenever he would greet his wife with "Assalam-o-Alaikum," his wife would smile and say, "Do you know there is a son in my womb?" He would reply, "Yes, God has given me good news about him."
He was born on the first night of Muharram-ul-Haram in 331 Hijri. On the same night, his father had a vision of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a dream. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"O Abu Ahmad! God will bless you with a son. Name him Muhammad, after my name."
So, when he was born, he was still in the hands of the midwife when he clearly recited "Lā Ilāha Illallāh" (There is no god but Allah) seven times in a loud voice. This event is counted as one of the miracles (Karamat) of his birth and an early sign of his Sainthood (Wilayat).
It is also narrated that in the early days of Muharram, he would not drink milk during the day but only at night, as if he was fasting even in his childhood. This clearly showed his inner spiritual light, piety (Zuhd), and spiritual strength.
His Education and Training
The early life of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was full of knowledge and worship. It is narrated that when he was four and a half years old, his father, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.), sent him to a religious school (Madrasa) for education. He was naturally very intelligent, humble, and keen to learn. In a short time, he completely memorised the Holy Quran (Hafiz). Later, he achieved excellence in religious sciences, jurisprudence (Fiqh), the sayings of the Prophet (Hadith), commentary (Tafsir), and spiritual knowledge (Marifat).
When he was fourteen years old, he started to practice seclusion and intensive worship (Khilwat-o-Ibadat), spending most of his time in devotion and rigorous spiritual practice (Riyazat). There was a well at home, where he would sometimes hang upside down to worship, as a way of struggling against the desires of the lower self (Nafs). This spiritual struggle and rigorous practice proved to be the foundation of his high spiritual status and Sainthood.
Spiritual Education and His Murshid (Guide)
The father and perfect spiritual guide (Murshid-e-Kamil) of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.), who was one of the great elders of the Chishti Order. Hazrat Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) received his worldly (Zahiri) education under his guidance and also made his father the source of his inner spiritual training (Batini Tarbiyat) and blessings (Faiz).
His father had already received the divine good news before his birth that he would be blessed with a son who would become his successor and spiritual heir. Therefore, Hazrat Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.) paid special attention to his training from childhood. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) learned the essence of knowledge, piety, devotion, and recognition of God (Marifat-e-Ilahi) from his father. Through his father's blessings, he reached the highest levels of Sainthood and spiritual perfection (Kamal).
The Passing of Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti's Father
When Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was twenty-four years old, his father, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti (R.A.), passed away (Wisal). After his father's passing, he became his successor and sat on the seat of the spiritual Caliphate (Masnad-e-Khilafat). In fact, his father had already been given the good news by God that, "We shall give you a son who will sit on your Caliphate and carry forward your spiritual blessings."
Consequently, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) benefited fully from both his father's inner (Batini) and outer (Zahiri) spiritual grace. He often remained in the service and company of his father and held his teachings dear to his heart. Every word that came from his tongue was effective and accepted, and his prayers were accepted by God. As time passed, his spiritual grace spread far and wide, and people from distant areas came to him to gain spiritual and worldly knowledge.
The Event of Spiritual Music (Mahfil-e-Sama)
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) had a special interest in Sama (spiritual music and Qawwali), as he considered it an effective way to turn hearts towards the remembrance of God. It is narrated that once, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was present with his father in a gathering of Sama. When the singers (Qawwals) started reciting verses that caused spiritual ecstasy (Wajd), he entered a state of deep spiritual absorption and became unconscious (be-khud). He remained in this state for a long time.
When Hazrat Abu Ahmad Chishti (R.A.) saw this, he immediately stopped the Qawwali. A while later, when he regained consciousness, a few pure words came from his lips. Then he fell at his father's feet and submitted:
“Father dear! The station that cannot be achieved by a hundred years of worship is attained in a few moments of the Sama gathering.”
Hearing this, his respected father smiled and said:
"My son, you have spoken the truth. People do not realise the true worth of this Sama; it contains countless spiritual secrets that only people of heart can recognise."
This event shows that the gatherings of Sama in the Chishti Order are not just ordinary songs but are considered a means to spiritual enlightenment and closeness to God (Qurb-e-Ilahi).
Miracles (Karamat) of Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti
One day, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was stitching clothes by the bank of the river Tigris (Dajla), when the King (Badshah) passed by, riding his horse. Seeing the Saint, great reverence grew in the King's heart. He immediately dismounted and bowed his head at the Saint's feet, showing great respect. The Saint kindly said:
"O King! Have you not heard the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that if a widowed woman remains hungry in the kingdom of a king, God will question him on the Day of Judgement?"
Hearing this, the King felt ashamed, lowered his head, and respectfully offered some money. The Saint replied, "God has given plenty to His servants; we do not need your wealth." When the King insisted, the Saint looked towards the sky and said, "O my God! Just as you have shown us Your treasure, show it to him too." Immediately, fish started to bring their mouths out of the waves of the river Tigris, and each fish had a gold coin (Dinar) in its mouth. Seeing this sight, the King became emotional, fell at the Saint's feet, and begged for forgiveness. This event is clear proof of his piety (Zuhd), contentment (Qana'at), and perfect reliance on God (Tawakkul Alallah).
Spiritual Role in the Victory of Somnath
It is narrated that when Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi campaigned in India, defeated Raja Jaipal (the ruler of Sindh and Punjab), and conquered many areas, his victories extended to Kanauj in 407 Hijri. During this time, countless forts, idol houses (But-Khanay), and centres of idol worship were destroyed. When the people of the Indian kingdom saw this, they said that their defeat was because the idol of Somnath was angry with them, otherwise it would have destroyed their enemies. Hearing this, the fire of faith was ignited in the heart of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, and he resolved to go and break the idol-house of Somnath himself to end the delusion of the idol-worshippers.
When the Sultan attacked Somnath for this purpose, he faced tough resistance. However, with God's command and the spiritual help of Saints and Dervishes, he was finally successful. The name of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) is also mentioned among those Dervishes, who not only gave the Sultan spiritual support but also played a key role in the victories through his prayers and inner spiritual power. With his spiritual help, not only was the idol-house of Somnath destroyed, but Islam was established, and the truth prevailed in the land of India. This event is a bright chapter of his Sainthood, spiritual influence, and love for the Muslim community (Ummah).
Historically, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi attacked the Somnath temple (located in Kathiawar, Gujarat) in 416 Hijri (1025 CE). He had tried several times before but failed due to strong resistance, difficult routes, and the strong fort surrounding Somnath.
In spiritual traditions, it is narrated that when the Sultan failed repeatedly, he asked the Saints (Awliya-e-Karam) for prayers and help. The name of Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) is mentioned among these spiritual figures. It is narrated that he helped Sultan Mahmud spiritually, and with his prayer and spiritual influence, the paths opened, the army gained strength, and finally, the fort of Somnath was conquered.
Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti's Sister and Successors (Khulafa)
It is narrated that Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) had a respected sister who was a very chaste, devoted, and virtuous woman. She was nearly forty years old and always served her brother. She had no interest in the world, earning her living by spinning cloth (Kapray Kaat Kar), and lived a very simple life. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) loved his sister very much and often used to say:
“A son will be born from your womb who will be the Qutb ul-Aqtab (the highest spiritual pole), but this is not possible without marriage.”
Since his sister was noble and a very pure lady, she avoided marriage. One day, Hazrat Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) received a divine sign (Ishara) from God that, "What you said to your sister is true. A noble Syed named Syed Muhammad Samaan lives close to you, who is a very pious, God-fearing, and spiritually enlightened person. Arrange your sister's marriage with him."
He immediately wrote a letter and called Syed Muhammad Samaan. When he came, Hazrat Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) was very happy and married his sister to him. After some time, God blessed them with a son. Hazrat Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) raised him like his own child, gave him spiritual training, and instilled the essence of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment in him from childhood.
This son was named Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti, who later became a great Dervish and Saint of his time. He gave him the title of "Nasiruddin". This child was, in fact, the light of Sainthood (Noor-e-Wilayat) about whom Hazrat Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.) had already been given good news.
Successors (Khulafa):
Three of his successors are famous, whose names are:
- Nasiruddin Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti
- Muhammad Kaku
- Ustad Mardan
The Passing (Wisal) of Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti
His blessed passing (Wisal) took place on 4th Rabi al-Thani in 421 Hijri. However, according to some narrations, it was in 411 Hijri, during the reign of Sultan Mahmud bin Subuktigin. He was approximately 70 years old at the time.
The Tomb (Mazar-e-Mubarak) of Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti (R.A.)
His blessed tomb (Mazar-e-Mubarak) is located in Chisht Sharif (Afghanistan), which remains a centre for pilgrims and lovers of the spiritual path (Tariqat) even today. This place is considered a source of spiritual blessings and grace, where countless devotees visit daily to pray and pay their respects. A special spiritual peace and light (Nooraniyyat) can be felt around the tomb, which has been present for centuries. People who come here find peace for the heart, purification for the soul, and inner comfort. This place reminds people of the spiritual foundations of the Chishti lineage.