Zeba Naseem / Mumbai

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya possessed a personality of immense brilliance and loftiness; His every word, action, and glance was filled with miracles and profound wisdom. His life was a remarkable example of Sufi love and devotion. He was a beacon of light for his disciples and followers.

This Sufi saint of India witnessed two imperial eras—first, the period of the slave dynasty and the Khilji dynasty. During both these periods, he attained the highest levels of spiritual perfection and grace. However, he never developed close relationships with the kings. Kings often sought to meet or establish relationships with them. He avoided it since worldly matters held no importance for Hazrat Nizamuddin.

He never showed miracles, but his spiritual power and miraculous deeds were always visible to the people. His presence generated such strong vibes that people said that he could heal the sick just by looking at or touching them.

Followers of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya at his shrine in Delhi

Once, Sultan Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah invited Hazrat Nizamuddin to his court on the last day of every month. He politely replied that this was against his custom of ostentation, so he would never go to meet the emperor.

When his friends suggested that he seek the help of his Sheikh Baba Farid to resolve the issue, he refused, saying that it would be inappropriate to bother the Sheikh with worldly matters. He said that the king would never be able to overpower him because he had dreamt of a one-horned animal attacking him, but he caught hold of it and threw it to the ground, killing it.

That day, after Zuhr prayers, Hazrat Nizamuddin refused to meet the emperor. He was summoned again, but he did not respond. That very night, Khusra Khan assassinated the Sultan.

Another Sultan, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, wanted Hazrat Nizamuddin to join him in moving from Ghiyaspur to Delhi. Nizamuddin told him that "Delhi is still too far."The Sultan was sad as Hazrat Nizamuddin would not accompany him. However, just as the Sultan was about to reach Delhi, the Tughlaqabad palace caved in on him. He died.

Sultan Alauddin feared that Hazrat Nizamuddin wanted to seize the kingdom and was waiting for the right moment. Therefore, he entrusted the difficult affairs of the State to him. Hazrat replied, "What does a devesh sitting on the stage have to do with the affairs of kings sitting on thrones?

"It is better that the dervish does not waste his time and the fakir does not have his conscience tested." When the king respectfully invited him to meet, he said, "The love of a dervish should be treated like that of a bird persecuted by a hawk. Introduction and respect should be established through greetings."

Khwaja Hasan, who had lived with Hazrat Nizamuddin in his youth, was drinking alcohol. One day, they met near the shrine of Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Khaki in Delhi. Hazrat Nizamuddin remarked that the influence of the company on people varies from person to person. Immediately, Khwaja Hasan fell at Hazrat's feet and became his disciple, along with all his friends.

Musoleum of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya

Hazrat Sheikh Nasiruddin Awadh narrates that he was acquiring worldly knowledge from Qazi Muhiuddin Kashani. Suddenly, he fell ill and was on the verge of death. Hazrat Nizamuddin came to meet him while he was unconscious and touched his face with his hand. Sheikh Nasiruddin immediately regained consciousness and placed his head at the Prophet's feet.

One day, a disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin arranged a feast for him. Qawwals were called, and food was to be served to all. Thousands had gathered to listen to the music, and the host was worried about food shortages. Hazrat Nizamuddin instructed his helper to wash people's hands, seat ten people together, and distribute the food while saying "Bismillah." It turned out that everyone got enough food, and there was plenty left over.

There is a tradition that a wealthy man named Shamsuddin did not believe in the spirituality of the Prophet. One day, while he was drinking with friends, Hazrat Nizamuddin suddenly appeared before him and signalled him to stop drinking with a thumb gesture.

Shamsuddin immediately threw the wine into the water, performed ablution, and headed for the Prophet's house. Upon seeing him, the Prophet said, "He who has Allah's mercy is saved from such sins." Hearing this, Shamsuddin was astonished and became a disciple of the Prophet with complete faith. He distributed all his wealth among the dervishes and, within a short time, became a Waliullah himself.

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No wonder, the life and personality of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya has always been a source of inspiration for spiritual consciousness, simplicity, and service to humanity.