Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Context:
A district court has recently accepted a petition claiming that a Shiva temple lies beneath the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.

Life and Legacy

• Alternate Names: Also known as Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, he is venerated with the title Ghareeb Nawaz (Benefactor of the Poor).
• Birthplace: He was born in Sijistan (modern-day Sistan, Iran).
• Ancestry: Believed to be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
• Spiritual Training: He became a disciple of Khwaja Usman Harooni and, after intense spiritual discipline, was inducted into the Chishti Silsila (spiritual lineage).
• Arrival in India: He began preaching in Ajmer after Muizuddin Muhammad bin Sam of Ghor defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE).
• Base in Ajmer: Moinuddin established a khanqah (spiritual retreat) in Ajmer to serve the poorest sections of society.

Significance of the Shrine

His dargah (shrine) in Ajmer has been visited by many notable rulers, including:

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq
• Sher Shah Suri
• Mughal Emperors: Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Dara Shukoh, and Aurangzeb.

Contemporaries

He lived during the reigns of Delhi Sultans Qutub-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish.

Teachings and Influence

• Core Philosophy: Advocated Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace), emphasizing harmony among different religions and social classes.
• Message: Promoted service to humanity, inner purity, and devotion to God, which attracted followers from various backgrounds.

The Chishti Order (Chishtiya)

• Origins: Founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in Chisht, located in present-day Afghanistan, and brought to India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
• Core Beliefs:
  • Emphasized Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being with God).
  • Advocated non-violence, pacifism, and harmonious living.
• Lifestyle: Followers rejected materialism, avoided political affiliations, and focused on spiritual growth.
• Practices:
  • Dhikr jahrī (recitation of God’s name aloud).
  • Dhikr khafī (silent contemplation of God’s name).

Prominent Disciples

1. Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki:
   • Spread Chishti teachings in Delhi.
   • Served as the spiritual mentor of Iltutmish, the Sultan of Delhi.
   • The Qutub Minar is named after him.
2. Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar:
   • Propagated the Chishti teachings in Punjab.
   • Received the title Ganj Shakar (Treasure of Sweetness) from Moinuddin.
3. Nizamuddin Auliya and Chirag Dehlavi:
   • Played a significant role in establishing the Chishti order in Delhi.

About Sufism

• Origin of the Term: Derived from the Arabic word suf (wool), symbolizing the simple woolen garments worn by ascetics.
• Philosophy:
  • Mystical branch of Islam focusing on the direct experience of God.
  • Emphasizes asceticism, devotion, and self-discipline as means to attain spiritual enlightenment.
• Belief: Serving humanity is seen as equivalent to serving God, making social service a core aspect of Sufi practice.