A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Tasawwuf – Sufism
~ 125 ~
This was a revolutionary concept. Helping one’s fellow human
beings brought limitless reward. Thus this spiritual movement
was turned into humanitarian activity by the Shaikh. The goal
before his disciples was to remove sin and suffering from
society.
Shaikh Nizamuddin observed that God does not discriminate
between one individual and another. The sun gives light and
warmth to all people, rich and poor, kings and commoner all.
The rains benefit both rich and poor people. Similarly a mystic
too must transcend all barriers of cast, creed, colour, language
etc., in dealing with human beings — all were equally God’s
creatures.
Once Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti was asked to explain the highest
form of religious devotion which brought man closer to God, he
observed:
“Develop river-like generosity, sun-like bounty and
earth-like hospitality.”
(Siyarul Auliya)
Nizamuddin Auliya is known also by the titles of
Mahboob
-
e
-
Ilahi
, the Beloved of God, and
Sultanul
Aulia
, the king of the
saints. He died at the age of 91 and was buried in Delhi.
One of the saint’s famous disciples was Amir Khusru, a courtier
and a well-known Persian poet. He was so deeply attached to
Nizamuddin Auliya that he died in grief in A.D. 1325 at the
death of his
pir
.
