A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Tasawwuf – Sufism
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discussion. For this he came to be called Mulla Nizamuddin
Bahhas (the great debater).
But he was not satisfied with his knowledge in theology and logic.
His spiritual self yearned for some spiritual saint to show him the
path to true spirituality. The knowledge of form (fiqh and theology)
did not appeal to him much. He hankered for the knowledge of the
spirit (
tasawwuf
) which alone could quench his deep thirst for
spirituality.
In the meantime he happened to hear that there lived a spiritual
saint in Ajodhan by the name of Baba Farid. So he left for Pakpatan
to benefit spiritually from the great Chishti mystic, Khwaja
Fariduddin Ganj Shakar. He was warmly welcomed by the saint.
Baba Farid placed his own cap on his head symbolizing formal
initiation in Chishti order.
By becoming a disciple of Khwaja Shaikh his spiritual qualities—
piety, purity, righteousness, devotion— were greatly enhanced.
Soon he was so well versed in the mystic path that Baba Fariduddin
appointed Nizamuddin Auliya as his
Khalifa
and directed him to go
to Delhi. Accordingly, Nizamuddin Auliya came to Delhi and set
up a
Khanqah
here.
From his Khanqah he began to disseminate the message of the
Chishti order as he had received from Baba Fariduddin. He worked
very hard for the expansion of the Chishti order. It was very difficult
to go on without seeking any help from the kings and governors
but Nizamuddin Auliya’s devotion and determination compensated
for this. He managed to infuse a new spirit in the organization of
