Ajmer Dargah Shariff-- Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti  

Posted by Vijay

Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti is indeed an ornament to the city of Ajmer. It is one of the holiest places of worship in India not only for the Muslims but also for the people of other faiths who hold the saint the high esteem and reverence. As mentioned previously. The Khwaja Saheb, as a ‘living spirit’ of peace and harmony, enjoys universal respect and devotion ever since he set his holy feet on the soil of Hindustan.

He has unquestionably been one of the greatest spiritual redeemers of human sufferings. To the faithful and afflicted souls invoking his blessing, he has ever been a never-failing source of moral strength and spiritual enlightenment. Apart from the common people, even the mighty kings of India, both Hindu and Muslim, have paid submissive homage to the great saint and have sought his miraculous aid to solve their problems. The precious buildings and various rich endowments dedicated to the Dargah of Khwaja Saheb are living memorials to and reminders of his continued patronage enjoyed by the people of India throughout the past 750 years.

In year 2008 the 794th Urs of the Master was celebrated. Scholars agree that the probable date of Khwaja saheb’s birth is around April 1143 A.D.( Hijri 537).He was born in village Sanjar of the Sistan province of present Iran.Is father’s name was Ghyas-ud-din Hassan and his mother’s name was Bibi Mah-e-noor.At the tender age of 14,he lost his mother and then his father in quick succession.Khwaja saheb is also known as “Sanjari” as his ancestors belonged to Sanjar.Khwaja Ishaq Shami,one of his predecessors settled in a hamlet called Chishti near Hirat.Hence the sect is also called Chishti.


He had two wives-Bibi Umutullah and Bibi Asmat.He was blessed with two sons- Fakhruddin and Hisamuddin. According to some historians however,he had only one daughter-Bibi Hafiza Jamal.

It is believed that Khwaja Saheb had a vision of Ajmer in a dream while in Madina, and he also received the spiritual inspiration to come here.Khwaja saheb lived the life of a saint and a renuncient.He renounced all worldly desires refraining from even a full meal.After spending a number of days without a morsel,the master would then have a few dry rotis, dipped in water. It is said that the saint spent his entire life wearing just one garment. When his apparel would give way,he would simply hem a patch over the torn place.So many patches were sewn in to the cloth that when it was weighed after his demise, it turned out to be 12.5 sers( 11.265 Kgs.)


Khwaja saheb could read the entire Quran Sharif twice in twenty four hours.After namaz at night,he would enter his Hujra and would remain immersed in the cosmic bliss the whole night.At day break,he would emerge again from his humble abode.
The saint left his mortal frame in 1233 A.D.( Hijri 633) after attaining the age of 97 years.Centuries after his demise, his teachings are still a source of guidance and inspiration for mankind.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 3:51 AM . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

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