THE MAGNIFICENCE OF SHEIKH MOINUDDIN KHWAJA GAREEB NAWAZ(RAHMATULLAH ALAIH)
6th of Rajab is the day Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri(Rahmatullah Alaih) passed away. He(Rahmatullah Alaih) is the Grand Sheikh of the Chishti order. Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) oversaw the growth of the Chishti order in the 13th century. The order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness.
Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) lived a very strict life and his food was very simple. However, great personalities used to come to pay respect to him, and get blessings from him.
He(Rahmatullah Alaih) was a descendant of Hazrat Ali(Radi Allaahu Anhu) through his sons Hazrat Imaam Hassan and Hazrat Imaam Hussein(Radi Allaahu Anhum).
When Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) arrived in India, he conquered the hearts and minds of people there. With his charm and spiritual divinity, he made ninety thousand Hindus recite the kalima.
Hazrat Sheikh Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih), with his Master (Peer o Murshid) went for Hajj. After the tawaaf, his Peer , Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni(Rahmatullah Alaih) supplicated in the court of Allah Ta'ala to accept the presence of Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih). A divine voice was heard, 'Moinuddin is my friend, I have accepted him, and gave him respect'.
Once, he(Rahmatullah Alaih), with his Murshid, Hazrat Usman Harooni(Rahmatullah Alaih) went to Madina and presented their respect in the court of Prophet ﷺ. At the gold grill (jaali) in front of the sacred chamber of the resting place of Prophet ﷺ (Rawdah Mubarak), his Murshid recited salutations (salaam) upon Prophet ﷺ. Reply to their salaam was heard from the sacred chamber. Hazrat Usman Harooni(Rahmatullah Alaih) told Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih), ' now you have attained divine accomplishments'.
One night in a trance, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ordered Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih), 'O Moinuddin! You are a prop of our faith. Proceed to India and show the path of truth to the people there. He(Rahmatullah Alaih) became worried as he didn't know India. Prophet ﷺ came in his dream and gave him a tour of India. Then, with the permission and the blessings of his Murshid, Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) departed for India. On his way, he(Rahmatullah Alaih) came into contact with many eminent saints.
During his brief stay at Lahore, he mediated at the shrine of Data Ali Hajweri(Rahmatullah Alaih) before proceeding to Ajmer. He(Rahmatullah Alaih) composed a poem paying a glowing tribute to Sheikh Data Ali Hajweri(Rahmatullah Alaih). Its English translation is ' It is a wealth bestowing Saint in this world and hereafter and an embodiment of divine light'.
Whenever a neighbour passed away, Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) used to accompany the funeral. After the burial, he(Rahmatullah Alaih) would stay back at the grave and make dua for the deceased.
Hazrat Qutbul Aktaab Khwaja(Rahmatullah Alaih) says that during the funeral of one of his disciples, Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) stayed back to do dhikr and make dua. Suddenly, his facial expression changed. When he was normal again, he(Rahmatullah Alaih) said, 'Alhamdulillah', and turned towards me and said, 'oath of allegiance (bayet) is a wondrous act'. When he(Rahmatullah Alaih) was asked as why his facial expression had changed, Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) replied, 'when the deceased was buried, the angels of torment descended in the grave. Just then, Hazrat Usman Harooni(Rahmatullah Alaih) spiritually appeared in the grave and told the angels that the deceased was his disciple, and he was to be left alone'. The deceased may have acted against divine commandments, but he had a relationship with the saints. Thus Allah Ta'ala commanded the angels of torment not to inflict torment on him.
Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih) is buried in the same prayer room, which was the centre of his divine activities throughout his stay at Ajmer. His shrine is popularly known as 'Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih). People of all walks of life and faith from all over the world visit this great shrine. The rich and the poor stand side by side to pay their homage and respect to the divine soul and to acquire the peace of mind and soul to get the blessings of Sheikh Moiuddin Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz(Rahmatullah Alaih).
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This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
