Brief Biography of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz

Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was a great mystic, an outstanding preacher, and an inspired man, an erudite scholar and a great poet and writer. He was the perfect representation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He was a true Saint amongst the Saints who are an inspiration and doorways to God Almighty during these desperate times. Let us read about this great personality in few words:

The name of Khuwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه is Hassan Chishti Ajmayri. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهwas born in 1142 (537 H) at Sanjar in Saijistan or Seestaan in a prestigious and educated family.

(Iqtibas-ul-Anwaar, pp. 345)

His famous titles include Mu’eenuddin, Ghareeb Nawaz, Sultan-ul-Hind and Atta-e-Rasool.

(Mu’een-ul-Hind Hazrat Khuwajah Mu’eenudin Ajmayri, pp. 20)

Like  a  true  mystic  Khwaja  Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه spent  most  of  his  life  traveling and acquiring knowledge and in the company of the great Saints of his time. He met with his Spiritual Guide (Murshid) Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه when he was in his early twenties and made the Spiritual Contract (Bai’ah) with him. He traveled and acquired much spiritual benefit from his Murshid. His travels also took him to Lahore where he visited the tomb of Hazrat Shaykh Ali Hujweri famous as Hazrat Daata Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه.

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also travelled Syria, Baghdad and Kirman, etc., for gaining knowledge. During the visit of Haramayn he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was blessed with the sainthood of India from the blessed court of Risalat and was ordered to serve Islam in India.

(Sayr-ul-Iqtaab, pp. 142)

With his good manners, good character and speech, he propagated Islam in this region. Hundreds of thousands of people embraced Islam after being impressed to him. How good his character was can be seen in this story: Once, a disbeliever came with the intention of killing Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه holding a dagger in the armpit. He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه sensed his intention through his spiritual intellect. When the person approached closer, Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه exclaimed, ‘Put your task into action, I am present in front of you.’ Having heard these words, that person started trembling. He took out the dagger, cast it away and threw himself at the feet of Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. He repented earnestly and became Muslim.

(Mirat-ul-Asraar, pp. 598)

Through reformation and preaching, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه prepared such a group of students and Khulafa that carried out the great duty of serving Islam everywhere in Pakistan and India (subcontinent). He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also carried out the duty of serving Islam and reforming people through his writings and books. In his books, one can find the mention of Anees-ul-Arwah, Kashful Asraar, Ganj-ul-Asraar and Deevan-e-Mu’een.

(Mu’een-ul-Hind Hazrat Khuwajah Mu’eenudin Ajmayri, pp. 103 - 106)  

Khuwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه approximately spent 45 years serving Islam in India. Finally, this fountain of wisdom, knowledge and guidance departed this world on 6th Rajab 627 H in Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan, India). His luminous shrine is situated in Ajmer Shareef.