KhwajaGarib Nawaz, or Hazrat Sayedna Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, is one of the all-time eminent Sufi saints. He lived a life that is the essence of love, sacrifice, and divine devotion. The history of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is one of high spiritual conquest, struggle, and unwavering dedication to serving humanity. From his childhood experiences in Khorasan, through his renunciation of material objects, to his ultimate pilgrimage to India, the life of Khwaja Garib Nawaz has inspired millions across the globe.

 

Early Life of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A.)

Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was born in 536 AD in the area of Chishty in Sistan in present Iran, which remained replete with bloodshed and conflicts. As a kid, he witnessed the crimes committed by invaders and the miseries of innocent people. And these harrowing experiences made him wonder about worldly pleasures. His heart desired peace and spiritual search from which he was to receive the heart of God.

 

The First Encounter with Divine Intervention

 

One of the most defining moments of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti's life occurred in 556 AD when he met the divine person Sheikh Ibrahim Qandozi. Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz was watering his orchard when the first encounter occurred. The Sheikh, being a Majzoob (ever-beseeched), instantly discerned the shortcomings and genuine zeal for Divine Truth hidden behind the strained makeup of the young Khwaja. Khwaja Moinuddin met him, and his first spiritual experience  changed his life.

 

One day, Sheikh Ibrahim Qandozi served Khwaja Moinuddin with Khul (or others say with a piece of bread) to eat, and after that, the unseen veil of worldly affairs was removed from his mind. This experience opened Khwaja Moinuddin to the higher divine realities, to the oneness, the interconnectedness of all, and the ultimate reality beyond the limitations of the material world. This led to a miraculous event that paved the way for his spiritual journey.

 

The Renouncement of the World

 

After one such life-altering realization with an eminent saint, Sheikh Ibrahim Qandozi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti opted out of materialism and worldly pleasures. He sold his orchard, his windmill, and all his belongings and gave the money to people experiencing poverty. The selfless character behind this kind act indicated his steadfast dedication to a life of simplicity and spirituality. He left North Khorasan and Neshapur, bid farewell to his family, and sought knowledge and immaterial illumination.

 

The Path to Knowledge: Journey to Bokhara

 

Bokhara, one of the great learning centers at the time, was the first place Khwaja Moinuddin visited in his quest for knowledge. Khwaja Moinuddin was young without material assets, yet he was determined to search for divine knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. In Bokhara, he undertook studies in the religious sciences under some of the most outstanding scholars of the realm.

 

Though specifics of his education are rarely mentioned, it is presumed that Khwaja Moinuddin, after being born into a noble, pious family, began his early education of the Quran at home. Memorizing the Quran by age seven, he developed an insatiable appetite for knowledge, studying various theological and philosophical works.

 

Spiritual Education and Initiation

 

Having completed his studies in Bokhara, Khwaja Moinuddin proceeded on to Samarqand, the home of yet another major learning center. Here, he perfected his knowledge of theology, philosophy, and grammar. It was a journey of transformation, not just of the mind but of the spirit.

At this time, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti recognized his need for a spiritual guide to complete his education. He met his real Murshid (spiritual teacher) in the shape of Hazrat Sayedna Khwaja Usman Harooni (Rad), endowed with robes of profound spiritual knowledge and teaching.

 

The Spiritual Initiation at the Feet of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni

 

The story of Hazrat Khawaja Moin ul din Chishti's transformation is full of remarkable moments, one of them being when he met and became a disciple of his master Hazrat Sayedna Khwaja Usman Harooni. Khwaja Moinuddin humbly sought acceptance as a disciple when he approached him. Hazrat Usman Harooni recognized the divinity in him and initiated him into the Sufi way.

 

Khwaja Moinuddin describes the taking of the oath in his own language. Hazrat Usman Harooni told him to pray two rakats nafl, after which he should recite a type of Darud Sharif and other praises of Allah. After performing these rituals, Hazrat Usman Harooni bestowed upon Khwaja Moinuddin a special Kola (Kolah Chahaar Tarki) and commanded him to practice sorcery for a while.

 

After this new experience, Khwaja Moinuddin would spend a full day and night in prayer, repeating certain verses of the Quran, and subsequently, he developed an even deeper relationship with the divine. Shortly after completing it, Hazrat Usman Harooni took him on a tour of a few spiritual states, including a view of Arsh-e-paar and the discovery of infinite knowledge.

 

The Test of Divine Knowledge

 

Khwaja Moinuddin was guided by his Murshid as he traversed many dimensions of reality, where he beheld the infinite universes in transcendence during his spiritual initiation. He was instructed to gaze up at the heavens and tell us all what he saw. He became aware of the expansion of his mind and the infinite nature of the universe. As the final phase of his spiritual initiation drew to a close, Hazrat Usman Harooni announced he was fit for an even greater mission.

 

Khwaja Moinuddin Khwaja realized the purpose of his existence and the purpose of his life was to serve humanity after initiation. He was asked to distribute the gold coins, which he found under a brick, to the poor. Then, this was the starting point of his holy mission to preach love, compassion , and peace.

 

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s Divine Mission in India

 

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti made his way to India, where he settled in Ajmer. He sought to convey the messages of Islam, peace, and love, especially to the oppressed and downtrodden. Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the sacred shrine of Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer, became a beacon and hope for millions, and people visited the shrine seeking solace, spiritual healing, and blessings.

The shrine of Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer is still one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world. Each year, millions of devotees from across the globe visit the shrine to pay their homage and seek the saint’s intercession.

 

Legacy of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

 

The legacy of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti transcends borders and religions. His teachings called for love, tolerance, and selflessness, ideals that transcend any religion. This timeless message of peace and compassion he left behind inspired generations, making him an everlasting symbol of unity and spiritual awakening.

 

Conclusion

Hazrat Moinuddeen Chishty is a man whose storied past is one of divine renunciation and service to humanity. His journey of life, starting from the destruction at Khorasan, going through a profound spiritual awakening, education, and settling in India, marks collaborative service to divinity and humanity. Today, his teachings, his Dargah in Ajmer, and the millions of lives he touched are a testimony to his legacy.

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Explore the spiritual significance and history of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, India, a revered pilgrimage site that attracts millions of devotees every year. Learn more about this sacred destination and its divine legacy. Ajmer Sharif Dargah, India