Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi, Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

17th Rabi-ul-Aakhir - 717th Urs Shareef Mubarak - Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi, Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

Name: Hazrat Sheikh Khwaja Sayed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya

Title : Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi. (محبوبِ الٰہی) (سُلطان المشائخ)

Silsila: Chistiya

Predecessor : Hazrat Sheikh Fariduddin Masood Ganjshakar (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

Successor : Hazrat Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi (Rahmatullahi Alaih)

Date of Birth: 27 Safar (636Hijri)

Date of Wisaal: 17th Rabi-us-Sani (725Hijri)

Date of Urs: 17th, 18th and 19th Rabi-us-Sani

Resting at: Delhi, India

Hazrat Sheikh Khwaja Sayed Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) represents in many ways the pinnacle of the Chishti Order (Silsila).

His spiritual guide, Hazrat Baba Fareed (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), said to him on appointing him as his successor, "Be like a big tree so that Allah's creation, the human beings in their vast multitudes, may find rest and solace under your shadow."

This partly explains why he admitted so many men into the Chishti order as his disciples. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) sent his well-versed and caring disciples to far-flung areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Bengal amongst other places to spread the word of truth.

With regard to the Sufi path, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) taught the following:

“For a dervish, three things are necessary. They all begin with an 'ain' (an Arabic letter): Ishq (love), Aql (intelligence) and Ilm (knowledge).”

After becoming a Mureed (spiritual disciple) of Hazrat Baba Fareed (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), he lived in extremely poor circumstances. Seeing him, a former friend expressed great surprise as he remembered Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) as one who had began a very promising career as a scholar. When Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) told all of this to Hazrat Baba Fareed (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), his Murshid(spiritual guide) suggested that he should recite the following couplet to his friend:

“You are not my fellow traveller.

Tread your own path

May you be affluent.

And I downtrodden.”

Then Hazrat Baba Fareed (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) ordered him to take a tray of food from the kitchen and carry it on his head to his friend. After doing so, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih) recited the verse above which deeply moved his friend.

One day, someone told a story of a certain saint who passed away while slowly repeating the name of Allah. The eyes of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), who was listening to this story, filled with tears and he recited this verse:

“I have come running to the end of Your street,

Tears are washing my face,

What else do I seek other than meeting You?

I repeat Your name as I surrender my soul to You.”

Early Years & Education:

After leaving their homeland, the city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan, the paternal grandfather of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) (Khwaja Ali (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)) and the maternal grandfather of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) (Khwaja Arab (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)) along with their family, moved to India.

At first they lived in Lahore, but later they took up their residence in Badayun (east of Delhi). Soon after, Khwaja Arab (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) married his daughter Bibi Zulaikha (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) to Khwaja Ali's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) son Khwaja Ahmad (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

The birth of Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) took place on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar (the 27th of Safar 636 AH). Up to this day, his birthday celebration takes place on which his blessed shrine is bathed and the water thereof is distributed among the visitors.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) father passed away when Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was five years old.

His mother took him to a school where he learned to recite the Holy Qur'an. In a short time, he mastered the seven ways of reciting the Holy Qur'an. Then he studied Arabic grammar, Ahadith (sayings of Rasulallah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) , commentary of the Holy Qur'an and logic. At the age of twelve, he received the "turban of excellence."

He was so sharp-witted, wise and understanding that he was given the title "Debater, capable of defeating the congregation." He became distinguished in the science of Tafsir (commentary on the Qur'an), in the knowledge of Ahadith, in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), mathematics and astronomy. Khwaja Shamsul Malik (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was among his most learned teachers. He received a testimony of knowledge of Ahadith from Mawlana Kamaluddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Although Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to sit among the Ulema (scholars of Islam) during that time, he was more interested in the inner life. He often used to say, "In the days of youth, I used to live in the company of the Ulema, but in my heart the thought used to come that I should go away from their company and turn my face to the Divine Teacher."

Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day, a certain Qawwal (Sufi musician) with the name of Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), came from Multan to visit Hazrat Nizamuddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) teacher. The teacher asked for information about the Sufi Sheikhs of Multan.

Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) answered thus, "I have lived in the company of Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) of Multan and I have sung mystical couplets for him. In his Khanqah (Sufi institution), the worship of Allah is very devoted, so much so that even the girls who knead the flour, while doing so, are occupied with the Zikr (remembrance of Allah). From there I went to Ajodhan (Pak Pattan). There I was given the privilege of meeting Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). That sovereign of love of God has conquered the world and the light of his moon has illuminated that area."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) says, "When I heard these words of praise in regard to Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), I developed a sudden and intense love for him and I began to repeat his name after every Namaz (prayer)."

The Qawwal started his concert with this line, "The living serpent of love has bitten my heart." But then Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) could not recollect the second line. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) helped him to do so, and seeing this, the Qawwal became very attentive towards him. From that day, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) became very much attached to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Arriving in Delhi:

"When my eighteenth year began," Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) narrates, "I travelled from Badayun to Delhi."

Musamma Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) accompanied him in this journey. Ayuz was a staunch believer in the spiritual greatness of Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Whenever he saw the slightest danger of robbers or wild beasts, he would cry out, "O, Pir! Come! I need your protection."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) continues, "I asked him the name of that Pir and Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) said, "It is the one who has caught your heart and got you enamoured," meaning Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Thus, from that day my faith in the Sheikh increased."

"When in Delhi, I stayed by chance near Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) brother and Caliph, Hazrat Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). My mother and sister were also with me. We rented a house in the neighbourhood of the great Sheikh, whose company was very valuable to me. In his presence, the qualities of Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to be discussed. On hearing them, I felt the desire of kissing his blessed feet. For approximately three years, I stayed in Delhi."

Meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) asked Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) to pray to God that he (Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)) may become a Qazi & be able to spread justice among the creatures of God. The Sheikh remained silent. When Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) repeated his question, he answered thus, "God forbid that you be a Qazi; be something else!"

In those days, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to spend the nights at the Jama Masjid. One morning, the Muazzin (the one who announces the Azan, call to prayer) recited the following verse from the minaret:

"Has not the time come

For the faithful

That their hearts should bend

For the remembrance of Allah."

[Qur'an 57:16]

Hearing this, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) condition changed. It was as if he received spiritual illumination from every direction. And, without any food, he left Delhi in order to present himself to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

At the age of twenty, on Wednesday 11th Rajab 655 AH (1257 AD), he reached Ajodhan. Upon meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) for the first time, he unsuccessfully tried to summon up courage to explain how eager he was to see him. He could not do so, due to the awe of the great Sheikh’s presence. Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) then said, "Every newcomer is nervous."

Thereafter Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) recited this verse:

"O, the fire of separation of Thee,

Has made the hearts like roasted meat;

The flood of the fondness of Thee,

Has made the lives morose."

Then Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was honoured to be accepted as the Mureed (spiritual disciple) of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Then Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) remarked, "O, Nizamuddin! I wanted to entrust the domain of Delhi to someone else. When you were on your way, I heard a voice instructing that I should wait as Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) is coming; he is fit for this domain and it should be entrusted to him. So stay in our company so that after completing your inner training, we will appoint you as our Caliph and as the Wali-e-Hindustan (the saint of India)."

Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived in the company of his Pir-o-Murshid (spiritual guide) for seven months and a few days. In this short period, he became even more deserving of the Khilafat of the great Sufi, Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

On 2nd Rabi'ul Awwal 656 AH (1258 AD), Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) bestowed Khilafat and Wilayat to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) by giving him the special turban, which came to Baba Sahib from Chisht (Afghanistan). After arriving in Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) ascended the throne of Khilafat-e-Peeran-e-Chisht, i.e. he became a Caliph/successor of the Chishti saints.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) came ten times to Ajodhan: three times in the life of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) and seven times after his death.

After residing in Delhi for a few days, he disdained the crowds of people and desired to withdraw himself to the desert. He then received a Divine inspiration that his place of residence should be Ghyaspur, a small village outside the city of Delhi.

First he had built a temporary shed with a straw roof for himself and all his companions. After some time, a better place was constructed for him by one of his disciples, Ziauddin Wakil Mulk (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived here for more than sixty years and never changed his place of residence. The Khanqah is still there and is visited by many people up to this day.

Death of the Great Mehboob-e-Ilaahi:

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day, a certain Qawwal (Sufi musician) with the name of Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), came from Multan to visit Hazrat Nizamuddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) teacher. The teacher asked for information about the Sufi Sheikhs of Multan.

Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) answered thus, "I have lived in the company of Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) of Multan and I have sung mystical couplets for him. In his Khanqah (Sufi institution), the worship of Allah is very devoted, so much so that even the girls who knead the flour, while doing so, are occupied with the Zikr (remembrance of Allah). From there I went to Ajodhan (Pak Pattan). There I was given the privilege of meeting Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). That sovereign of love of God has conquered the world and the light of his moon has illuminated that area."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) says, "When I heard these words of praise in regard to Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), I developed a sudden and intense love for him and I began to repeat his name after every Namaz (prayer)."

The Qawwal started his concert with this line, "The living serpent of love has bitten my heart." But then Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) could not recollect the second line. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) helped him to do so, and seeing this, the Qawwal became very attentive towards him. From that day, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) became very much attached to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Arriving in Delhi:

"When my eighteenth year began," Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) narrates, "I travelled from Badayun to Delhi."

Musamma Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) accompanied him in this journey. Ayuz was a staunch believer in the spiritual greatness of Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Whenever he saw the slightest danger of robbers or wild beasts, he would cry out, "O, Pir! Come! I need your protection."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) continues, "I asked him the name of that Pir and Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) said, "It is the one who has caught your heart and got you enamoured," meaning Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Thus, from that day my faith in the Sheikh increased."

"When in Delhi, I stayed by chance near Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) brother and Caliph, Hazrat Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). My mother and sister were also with me. We rented a house in the neighbourhood of the great Sheikh, whose company was very valuable to me. In his presence, the qualities of Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to be discussed. On hearing them, I felt the desire of kissing his blessed feet. For approximately three years, I stayed in Delhi."

Meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) asked Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) to pray to God that he (Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)) may become a Qazi & be able to spread justice among the creatures of God. The Sheikh remained silent. When Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) repeated his question, he answered thus, "God forbid that you be a Qazi; be something else!"

In those days, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to spend the nights at the Jama Masjid. One morning, the Muazzin (the one who announces the Azan, call to prayer) recited the following verse from the minaret:

"Has not the time come

For the faithful

That their hearts should bend

For the remembrance of Allah."

[Qur'an 57:16]

Hearing this, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) condition changed. It was as if he received spiritual illumination from every direction. And, without any food, he left Delhi in order to present himself to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

At the age of twenty, on Wednesday 11th Rajab 655 AH (1257 AD), he reached Ajodhan. Upon meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) for the first time, he unsuccessfully tried to summon up courage to explain how eager he was to see him. He could not do so, due to the awe of the great Sheikh’s presence. Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) then said, "Every newcomer is nervous."

Thereafter Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) recited this verse:

"O, the fire of separation of Thee,

Has made the hearts like roasted meat;

The flood of the fondness of Thee,

Has made the lives morose."

Then Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was honoured to be accepted as the Mureed (spiritual disciple) of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Then Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) remarked, "O, Nizamuddin! I wanted to entrust the domain of Delhi to someone else. When you were on your way, I heard a voice instructing that I should wait as Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) is coming; he is fit for this domain and it should be entrusted to him. So stay in our company so that after completing your inner training, we will appoint you as our Caliph and as the Wali-e-Hindustan (the saint of India)."

Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived in the company of his Pir-o-Murshid (spiritual guide) for seven months and a few days. In this short period, he became even more deserving of the Khilafat of the great Sufi, Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

On 2nd Rabi'ul Awwal 656 AH (1258 AD), Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) bestowed Khilafat and Wilayat to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) by giving him the special turban, which came to Baba Sahib from Chisht (Afghanistan). After arriving in Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) ascended the throne of Khilafat-e-Peeran-e-Chisht, i.e. he became a Caliph/successor of the Chishti saints.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) came ten times to Ajodhan: three times in the life of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) and seven times after his death.

After residing in Delhi for a few days, he disdained the crowds of people and desired to withdraw himself to the desert. He then received a Divine inspiration that his place of residence should be Ghyaspur, a small village outside the city of Delhi.

First he had built a temporary shed with a straw roof for himself and all his companions. After some time, a better place was constructed for him by one of his disciples, Ziauddin Wakil Mulk (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived here for more than sixty years and never changed his place of residence. The Khanqah is still there and is visited by many people up to this day.

Death of the Great Mehboob-e-Ilaahi:

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day, a certain Qawwal (Sufi musician) with the name of Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), came from Multan to visit Hazrat Nizamuddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) teacher. The teacher asked for information about the Sufi Sheikhs of Multan.

Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) answered thus, "I have lived in the company of Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) of Multan and I have sung mystical couplets for him. In his Khanqah (Sufi institution), the worship of Allah is very devoted, so much so that even the girls who knead the flour, while doing so, are occupied with the Zikr (remembrance of Allah). From there I went to Ajodhan (Pak Pattan). There I was given the privilege of meeting Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). That sovereign of love of God has conquered the world and the light of his moon has illuminated that area."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) says, "When I heard these words of praise in regard to Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), I developed a sudden and intense love for him and I began to repeat his name after every Namaz (prayer)."

The Qawwal started his concert with this line, "The living serpent of love has bitten my heart." But then Abu Bakr (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) could not recollect the second line. Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) helped him to do so, and seeing this, the Qawwal became very attentive towards him. From that day, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) became very much attached to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Arriving in Delhi:

"When my eighteenth year began," Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) narrates, "I travelled from Badayun to Delhi."

Musamma Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) accompanied him in this journey. Ayuz was a staunch believer in the spiritual greatness of Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Whenever he saw the slightest danger of robbers or wild beasts, he would cry out, "O, Pir! Come! I need your protection."

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) continues, "I asked him the name of that Pir and Ayuz (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) said, "It is the one who has caught your heart and got you enamoured," meaning Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Thus, from that day my faith in the Sheikh increased."

"When in Delhi, I stayed by chance near Hazrat Baba Fareeduddin's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) brother and Caliph, Hazrat Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). My mother and sister were also with me. We rented a house in the neighbourhood of the great Sheikh, whose company was very valuable to me. In his presence, the qualities of Baba Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to be discussed. On hearing them, I felt the desire of kissing his blessed feet. For approximately three years, I stayed in Delhi."

Meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ):

One day Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) asked Sheikh Najibuddin Mutawakkil (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) to pray to God that he (Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)) may become a Qazi & be able to spread justice among the creatures of God. The Sheikh remained silent. When Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) repeated his question, he answered thus, "God forbid that you be a Qazi; be something else!"

In those days, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) used to spend the nights at the Jama Masjid. One morning, the Muazzin (the one who announces the Azan, call to prayer) recited the following verse from the minaret:

"Has not the time come

For the faithful

That their hearts should bend

For the remembrance of Allah."

[Qur'an 57:16]

Hearing this, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) condition changed. It was as if he received spiritual illumination from every direction. And, without any food, he left Delhi in order to present himself to Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

At the age of twenty, on Wednesday 11th Rajab 655 AH (1257 AD), he reached Ajodhan. Upon meeting Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) for the first time, he unsuccessfully tried to summon up courage to explain how eager he was to see him. He could not do so, due to the awe of the great Sheikh’s presence. Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) then said, "Every newcomer is nervous."

Thereafter Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) recited this verse:

"O, the fire of separation of Thee,

Has made the hearts like roasted meat;

The flood of the fondness of Thee,

Has made the lives morose."

Then Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was honoured to be accepted as the Mureed (spiritual disciple) of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Then Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) remarked, "O, Nizamuddin! I wanted to entrust the domain of Delhi to someone else. When you were on your way, I heard a voice instructing that I should wait as Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) is coming; he is fit for this domain and it should be entrusted to him. So stay in our company so that after completing your inner training, we will appoint you as our Caliph and as the Wali-e-Hindustan (the saint of India)."

Hazrat Nizamuddin (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived in the company of his Pir-o-Murshid (spiritual guide) for seven months and a few days. In this short period, he became even more deserving of the Khilafat of the great Sufi, Hazrat Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

On 2nd Rabi'ul Awwal 656 AH (1258 AD), Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) bestowed Khilafat and Wilayat to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) by giving him the special turban, which came to Baba Sahib from Chisht (Afghanistan). After arriving in Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) ascended the throne of Khilafat-e-Peeran-e-Chisht, i.e. he became a Caliph/successor of the Chishti saints.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) came ten times to Ajodhan: three times in the life of Baba Fareed (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) and seven times after his death.

After residing in Delhi for a few days, he disdained the crowds of people and desired to withdraw himself to the desert. He then received a Divine inspiration that his place of residence should be Ghyaspur, a small village outside the city of Delhi.

First he had built a temporary shed with a straw roof for himself and all his companions. After some time, a better place was constructed for him by one of his disciples, Ziauddin Wakil Mulk (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) lived here for more than sixty years and never changed his place of residence. The Khanqah is still there and is visited by many people up to this day.

Death of the Great Mehboob-e-Ilaahi:

Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) passed away in 725 AH (1324 AD), after an illness of about four months. He was buried in Ghyaspur and the locality is named after him today.