Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami, whose original name was Abu Ishaq bin Ibrahim al-Shami, is considered the first great elder and founder of the Chishti order (Silsila-e-Chishtiya). He is also fondly remembered by the title Taj ul-Awliya (Crown of Saints).
Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami Shrine Picture
Birth and Early Life
Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami was born on Friday, the 17th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 237 Hijri, in Damascus (Shaam), Syria. He came from a noble and deeply religious family and spent his childhood and early life there. From a young age, his heart was disinclined towards worldly attractions and instead inclined towards worship and spiritual knowledge (Ma'rifat).
He received his early education in Syria, excelling in exoteric sciences (ulum-e-zahiri). He acquired knowledge of the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Tasawwuf (Sufism) from the prominent scholars and mystics of Syria. He later developed a keen interest in esoteric and spiritual sciences (ulum-e-batini), achieving great spiritual ranks in this path.
The Search for a Murshid (Spiritual Guide)
After mastering the exoteric sciences, Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami felt an intense desire to acquire spiritual knowledge and gnosis (Ma'arif). In his quest, he sought guidance from God by continuously performing the Istikhara (a prayer for guidance) and engaging in worship for forty days.
On the fortieth night, he received a divine sign in a dream: "O Abu Ishaq! Go to Baghdad and take the oath of allegiance (Bay'ah) to Hazrat Sheikh Mumshad Ali Dinawari; he is your perfect spiritual guide (Murshid-e-Kamil)". Following this spiritual indication, he immediately traveled to Baghdad, where he took the Bay'ah at the hands of Hazrat Mumshad Ali Dinawari. It was from him that he gained spiritual grace, the path of spiritual journey (Suluk), and the secrets of Divine Gnosis. This spiritual grace later became the core of his life and the foundation upon which the Chishti Order began.
Time with the Murshid
When Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami first met his Murshid, Hazrat Mumshad Ali Dinawari, he approached with great humility and surrendered himself completely. He humbly requested his Murshid to pray for him. Hazrat Mumshad Ali Dinawari embraced him lovingly and prayed:
"I have prayed to the Divine Court: 'O Allah! Grant success to Ishaq Shami in the path of Sufism (Tariqat), and make a fountain of spiritual grace and guidance flow through him.'"
Following this, the Murshid instructed him to engage in the Dhikr (remembrance of God) of 'LĀ ILĀHA ILLĀ ALLĀH' (There is no god but Allah). Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami devoted himself to this Dhikr for seven full years, purifying his inner and outer self until his heart and soul were illuminated with the light of Gnosis.
Why Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami is Called "Chishti"
The reason for calling Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami "Chishti" holds a blessed and spiritual background.
It is narrated that when he came before his Murshid, Hazrat Mumshad Ali Dinawari, the Murshid looked at him lovingly and asked, "My son, what is your name?". He respectfully replied, "Sir! My name is Abu Ishaq Shami". Hearing this, Hazrat Mumshad Dinawari smiled and said:
"O Abu Ishaq! From today onwards, your name is Abu Ishaq Chishti."
He then instructed him: "Go to the village named Chisht—which is near Khorasan—and spread the religion of Allah, the spiritual path (Tariqat), and guidance there. Allah has sent you to be a beacon of light for the path of truth for that region."
Thus, by divine command and the permission of his Murshid, he was sent to the town of Chisht, where he laid the foundation of the Chishti Order. This order later became a message of Divine Love, humanity, affection, and spiritual poverty (Faqr) in the Indian subcontinent and across the world.
Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami's Character and Teachings
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti was known for his pleasant disposition, soft heart, and deep sense of mercy and compassion. He was a sympathizer of the poor and the destitute. His heart was always with the weak and needy, and he shared in their sorrows and pains.
He had no attachment to kings, nobles, or people of wealth and power, preferring to stay away from their company. He used to say:
"Hunger is dearer to me than food, because hunger creates spiritual poverty and humility in the heart and brings spiritual light (Nooraniyat) to the soul."
Consequently, he frequently fasted, ate little, and spent most of his time in Dhikr and meditation (Muraqaba). His simple living and piety reached such a level that people would remember God just by looking at his face.
He had a great love for Sama' (Qawwali/Spiritual music). He would only allow his close devotees and the poor to attend his Qawwali gatherings, keeping the Caliphs and kings away. It is also said that he instructed the singers (Qawwals) to fast for three days before performing.
Miracles (Karamat) of Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami
On one occasion, while Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti was absorbed in the remembrance of God, the Caliph of the time came before him in a state of great distress. He expressed that the land had been dry for a long time, trees had withered, and the people were facing severe hardship due to the lack of rain, pleading with the Khwaja to pray for Allah's mercy.
The Khwaja lovingly and wisely instructed that a gathering of Sama' (Qawwali) be arranged. He foretold that as soon as the Sama' began and he entered a state of ecstasy (Wajd), tears of Divine Love would flow from his eyes. At that very moment, Allah would send His mercy, and the earth would be replenished.
As the Sama' gathering began, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti entered the state of Wajd, and tears flowed from his eyes. Simultaneously, the sky filled with clouds, and the rain of Allah's mercy began to fall, irrigating the land and trees, and bringing joy and peace to the people.
After the rain, Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti told the Caliph to return, as Allah had sent His mercy. However, when the Caliph returned some days later, the Khwaja began to weep upon seeing him. When his disciples asked why he was weeping, he replied that he feared that the kings of the world would now frequent his door, and he worried that God might not gather him with them on the Day of Judgment.
The Khwaja then raised his hands and tearfully prayed to Allah: "O Allah! Do not gather me with the wealthy and kings of the world, but gather me with Your poor, mendicants (Faqirs), and the destitute, and with those whom You have granted the wealth of Your love and spiritual poverty".
This event clearly demonstrates the depth of his spirituality, humility, and love for humanity, as he always showed his compassion and mercy towards the poor and needy rather than the kings of the world.
Another known miracle is that a lamp on his tomb would light up by itself at night, burn all night, extinguish in the morning, and relight again at night. This is considered a sign and proof of his status as a special friend of God (Wali-e-Khas), demonstrating the special blessings bestowed upon him by Allah as a symbol of his spiritual grace and rank.
Successor and Demise
Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti remained engaged in guidance and spiritual training until his last moments. Before his passing, he appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abu Abdal as his Caliph (successor), stating: "We have now entrusted this trust to you. Now, you must protect it and pass it on to the deserving people". It was Sheikh Ahmad Abu Abdal who continued the spiritual grace of the Chishti Order.
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chishti's passing (Wisaal) occurred on the 14th of Rabi' al-Thani, 339 Hijri, although some sources record the date as 329 Hijri. His mausoleum is located in 'Akka (Acre), Syria, where millions of disciples and lovers of spirituality visit to benefit from his teachings and spiritual grace.
Founder of Chishti Order Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami
Sheikh Abdur Rahman Jami, in his famous work, Nafahat al-Uns, writes about the spread of the order:
"The first elder who spread the Chishti way in the lands of Khorasan was Sheikh Abu Ishaq Shami, who came from Syria to Khorasan and settled in the village of Chisht, and this spiritual path became attributed to him."
This confirms that the lineage of the Chishti order in Khorasan and beyond began with him.