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Contents
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Page No.
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Preface
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Preface
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vii
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The personality and the great work of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1243-1325)
commands a special place in the cultural and philosophical history of India.
While sitting in Delhi, he spent almost half a century in trying to weave
human hearts through the chord of love and establishing an unbroken
relationship with the Almighty.
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Introduction
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1
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Hazrat Amir Khusro regarded his teacher Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya
as a person who possessed the qualities of both Jesus Christ and Khizr. He
believed that Khawaja was not made up of water or soil rather he had the
qualities of both Khizr and Jesus Christ.
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Family - Birth and Early life
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15
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The paternal grandfather Khawaja Ali and the maternal
grandfather Khwaja Araba of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya came in India after the
downfall to Bukhara. They stayed in Lahore for some time and then they moved
towards Badaun. Mir Khurd has mentioned about their brotherly relationship.
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His Life in Delhi
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22
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Possibly it was during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahamud
(1246-1266), Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya reached Delhi along with his sister and
mother. It was the period when Delhi was like an international centre of
poets, mystics and craftsmen of distinction.
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At the Astana of Baba Farid
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29
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When Sheikh Nizamuddin was hardly twelve years of age and was
studying in a school at Badaun, a person, named Abu Bakar Khirat, came to see
his teacher and narrated the story of his visit to Multan.
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As the Head of Chishti Tradition
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38
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After his last meeting with Baba Farid Ganjshakar, when Sheikh
Nizamuddin Auliya came back to Delhi, he had many responsibilities on his
shoulders. He had to coordinate and provide guidance to the disciples of Baba
Farid who were spread far and wide.
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The Organization of Khanqah
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42
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The Khanqah of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya was situated at
Ghyaspur, a village named after Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban. It was situated far
away from the city. The devotees raised thatched structure for the Namaz by
the side of road leading to the Khanqah.
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Moral and Spiritual Teachings
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47
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Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya spent seventy years of his life to
teach human beings the moral and spiritual values and to bring happiness to
exhausted and distressed souls. Like Amir Khusro he also believed that the
population of human being goes up and the respect for moral values rolls
down.
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Indifference Towards Sultans and the State
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51
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The Chishti tradition of mysticism always maintained a distance
from Sultans and the state. There were many spiritual and social consideration
in this decision. The governing class had their own demands which was
difficult for saints to fulfil.
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His Charming Personality and Daily Routine
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57
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The incidents presented in Sair-ul-Auliya, Khair-ul-Majalis, and
Jawami-ul Kilam, portray a picture of an attractive personality. A tall
handsome figure, fair complexion, fully grown beard, curly hairs, sleepy
eyes, with an Imama over his head made him a person of a charming personality.
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Last Illness and Death
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61
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The continuous fast and meditation had its impact on the health
of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. He always suffered from one ailment or the
other. Medicine gave him only temporary relief. However, his illness never
disturbed his daily routine.
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His Spiritual Influence
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63
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When one attempts to peep into the Delhi of Sheikh Nizamuddin
Auliya, one gets influenced by his deep humanism. His greatness was the
greatness of loving heart. He was always generous, compassionate and
forgiving.
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