Brief biography of Hazrat Khaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz Gulberga.

The politictal background During the early 20 years of 14th century the Khilji kingdom of Delhi met its down fall but actually its down fall was started at the time when Sultan Ala Uddin khilji was died and he was great king and successful administer and as well as he was a powerful ruler of the kingdom and during his period there was peace and security of the people was available in the

kingdom . He tried hard for the following reforms and he was most successful in this matter. 1.Economical reforms. 2.Organisation of state. 3.Corruption. 4.Price control of the essential commodities. Due to the above reforms and facilities which brought the general public in the best and comfortable situation. As per saying of Hazrat Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi that the general persons of the kingdom were in condition of great comfort and happiness. In the year 1320 A.D. the ruler of Dabilpur Punjabs governor Ghazi Khan who proceeded towards Delhi and occupied it and decalred himself as Sultan Ghyas Uddin Tughlaq and after him after five years during the year 1325 A.D. Sultan Mohammed Bin Tuglaq was crowned on the Delhi kingdom and the great historian Zia Uddin wrote about him the following details in the history of Feroze Shahi Kings which are as follows. Allah made his personality wonderful and strange in the mankind due to the following reason. 1. Contrary nature

For the above reason the historian and learned persons could not able to understand his above nature and his activities. He was a great learned person as well as genius sultan but he had taken many wrong and useless decisions which brought many bad and dangerous results in the kingdom and for these reason the general persons have undergone many disastrous problems and difficulties. In the year 1347 A.D. Ala Uddin Hasan Bahaman Shah who was Amir (governor) of Deccan (South India) and he has declared his Bahmani kingdom in Deccan (South India) and in this way the rule of Bahmani kingdom was started and he made capital of his kingdom as Gulberga. At that time in Delhi Mohammed Bin Tuglaq was died in the year 1351 A.D and he was succeeded by Feroze Shah Tuglaq and this new sultan immediately after his crowning started arrangement of the collection of pardon letters from the families and persons who met the injustice and great difficulties by the former Sultan Mohammed Bin Tuglaq and put all such papers in the Sultan Mohammed Bin Tuglaqs grave which is available in Delhi. This shows the great injustice and problems done by Mohammed Bin Tuglaq during his period of rule due to his wrong and controversial decisions and royal orders in the kingdom. The religious backgournd.

During the fourteen century there was start of the preaching of the following knowledges by the Sufi saints and due to their endeavours and hard tasks there was great progress in this matter. 1.Basic teachings and practical knowledge of Islam. 2.Basic teachings and practical knowledge of Sufism. Due to the above reason the Sufi Saints of Deccan (South India) used to present the religion of Islam in such shape and form which is acceptable in the Indian Society and culture and so for this reason there were discussions at that time about Zaheri (outward) aspect of Islam and for this reason the teachings of this aspect were adopted by Sufi Saints for their propagation work of Islam to the general persons. For the above reason the following things were in progress. 1.Reading of books of Sufi Saints. 2.Explanation work of the Sufi Books . 3.Importance was given for the ethics . 4.Teaching of Arabic language. 5.Teaching of Hadith (traditions of Allahs prophet). 6.Exegesis of Quran.

During the above century there was great interest for learning and religious study was began due to reaching of the theory of Unity of Existence of Sheikh Abkar Mohiuddin Ibn Arabi in India. There is also another information which is available that Fakher Uddin Iraqi who died in the year 1289 A.D. also spread the above thoughts of Ibn Arabi in India. Till the crowning of Feroze Shah not only the books of Ibin Arabi had reached in India but there was progress of discussions in this matter and also there was explanation of his works .There were discussions for the above works in the letters of learned persons in India. Due to Nara (slogan) of Anal Haq (I am the Truth) there was Fatawa (a religious proclamation) of Feroze Shah for the death penalty. Due to giving much importance of Islamic law and Islamic Fiqah (Islamic Jurisprudence) and for this reason Ibn Arabi had became famous and well known as Abu Hanifa Thani. Brief biography. During the above period Hazrat Khaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz was born on 4th Rajab 721 A.H. in Delhi. Syed Muhammad Hussaini, commonly known as Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gaisu Daraz, Shahbaz, Buland Pervaz,Muharram Razwa Niaz (July 13, 1321 -November 1, 1422), was a famous

Sufi saint from India of the Chishti Order, who advocated understanding, tolerance and harmony among various religious groups. As per reference of Syed Ashraf Jehangir Samnani Khaja Sahib belongs to Sadat (descendant of prophets family) family of Khurasan and those Sadat family members were well known and famous as Gesu Daraz. Khaja Bande Nawaz Gaisu Daraz was a murid (disciple) of the noted Sufi saint of Delhi, Hazrat Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi. After the death of Chiragh Dehlavi, Gaisu Daraz took on the mantle of the successor (khalifa). When he moved to Daulatabad around 1398, owing to the attack of Timur on Delhi, he took the Chishti Order to South India. He finally settled down in Gulbarga, at the invitation of Bahamani Sultan, Taj ud-D in Firuz Shah. Banda Nawaz was born to Syed Muhammad Hussaini in Delhi in 1321. At the age of four, his family shifted to Daulatabad in Deccan (now in Maharashtra). In 1397, he went to Gulbarga, Deccan (presently in Karnataka) at the invitation of Sultan Taj udDin Firuz Shah. At the age of fifteen, he returned to Delhi for his education and training by Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi. He was also a very enthusiastic student of Hazrat Kethli, Hazrat Tajuddin Bahadur and Qazi Abdul Muqtadir. After teaching at various places such as Delhi, Mewath, Gwalior, Chander, Aircha, Chatra, Chanderi, Miandhar, Baroda, Khambayat

and Gulbarga in 1397 and died in Gulbarga in the year November 1422. His name as well as patronymic was Abul-Fatah and Gaisu Daraz was his title. Among the scholars and theologians he was Sheikh Abul-Fatah Sadr Uddin Muhammad Dehlavi but people called him Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gaisu Daraaz.

Khaja Sahib had good nature of taking care and comfort of the other persons instead of himself and whatever presented to him by any person then he will used to distribute the same to other needy and poor persons immediately and for this reason his teacher Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi was awarded him the title as Gesu Daraz. Sultan Muhammad-bin Tughlaq once transferred his capital to Daulatabad (Devgiri) and along with him went many scholars, theologians, and mystics. His parents also migrated to the place. He was four years at the time and Malik-ulUmar Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Mustafa, his maternal uncle, was the governor of Daulatabad. When Sultan Mohammed Bin Tuglaq had ordered for the shifting of his capital from Delhi to Doulatabad then Khaja Sahib came to Doulatabad along with his parents. His father Syed Yousuf Hussaini alias Raju Khattal died in the year 1330

A.D. After five years Khaja Sahib came back to Delhi along with his mother and brother. In the year 1336 A.D. Khaja Sahib and his brother became disciples of Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi and Khaja Sahib got caliphate from him in the year 1336 A.D. and during this year Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi died on 18th Ramazan. Three days after the death of his great master Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi Khaja Sahib became special care taker of the shrine of Nasir Uddin Chirag Delhavi.
In Delhi. On the death of his father his mother grew angry with her brother, and returned to Delhi. He was fifteen at the time. He had heard a lot about Hazrat Nizam Uddin Auliya and Hazrat Nasir Uddin Roshan Chiragh Dehlavi from his father and maternal grand father and grew devoted to them. One day he went to say his prayer in the Jama-Majid of Sultan Qutub Uddin, there he saw Hazrat Sheikh Nasir Uddin Mahmud Chiragh Dehlavi and pledged obedience to him on 16, Rajab. Under the guidance of Hazrat Nasir Uddin Chiragh Dehlavi he engaged himself in prayers and meditation and so much enjoyed them that lie forbade studies and requested his teacher to allow him to do so. Hazrat Nasir Uddin denied him permission and instructed him to study with attention Usool-eBizoori, Risals Shamsia, Kashaf, Misbah so he restarted the studies under the guidance of renowned teachers. Title Gesu-Daraz. One day Khaja Sahib with other disciples lifted the palanquin bearing Hazrat Nasir Uddin. His long hair stuck into the foot of the palanquin (palki) and pained him severely but he did not

disentangle them for love and respect to the teacher. When Hazrat Nasir Uddin learned of the episode, he was overjoyed and recited the Persian couplet: "Har ki murid Syed gesu daraaz shud Vallah khilaf-e-nest ki Uoo ishq baaz shud." ("Syed Gesu Daraaz has pledged his obedience; there is nothing wrong in it because he has deeply fallen in love.") He thus gained the title "Gesu-Daraaz".

For a period of 40 years he was busy in Delhi for the preaching and teaching work of Islam . As per his mothers instruction he was married at the age of 40 years. The details of his sons and daughters is mentioned as follows. 1.Two sons. 2.Three daughters. On 11th November 1398 A.D. he was migrated to Doulatabad from Delhi along with his family members and parents and at that time Khaja Sahib was 80 years old and from Bahdurpur, Gwalior, Bahandir, Chanderi, Baroda, Sultanpur, Khambait, Khaja Sahib and his family members reached to Doulatabad. During the above long journey of many days many thousand of his devotees welcomed and greeted him on his way in the above old Indian cities. As per records of history it is clear that Khaja Sahib has advised his disciples for his final resting place in Doulatabad near his fathers grave but due to the invitation

of Sultan Feroze Shah Bahmani to visit Gulberga city so Khaja Sahib left from Doulatabad and reached gulberga city. In the year 1400 A.D he graced the land of Gulberga. His shrine is located in the western side of the Gulberga fort in which he has spent some time there but due to some difference with the sultan he left that place and shifted to the present area where his tomb is situated. Khaja Sahib was busy in Gulberga city for a period of 22 years in the preaching and teaching work as well writing of Islamic books and he was died on 16th Ziqad in the year 825 A.H. He advised his disciples to bury him in the city of Khuldabad but due to some un-known reason he was buried in Gulberga city. Works. Khaja sahib authored many books so in this matter it is not confirmed how many books he has authored. As per history records he has written total 105 book. As per reference in book Alkwaraq that he has written 125 books. In the book Sair Mohammed it is mentioned 36 books and in the book of Tariq Habibi 45 books are mentioned. He has written many books and in which he has discussed the following subjects in them. 1. Knowledge of exegesis of Quran. 2. Traditions of Allahs last prophet.
3. Fiqah (Islamic Jurisprudence).

4. Kalam (speech).

5. Sufism. 6. Poetry. Bande Nawaz authored about 195 books in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. His magnum opus, Tafseer Multaqat, was compiled into one book very recently. He also composed a book on the Prophet of Islam titled Miraj-al Ashiqin for the instruction of the masses in Deccani, a South Indian branch of the Urdu language. He was the first Sufi to use this vernacular which was elaborated upon by many other Sufi saints of South India in later centuries. He wrote many treatises on the works on Ibn Arabi and Suhrawardi, which made the works of these scholars accessible to Indian scholars and played a major role in influencing later mystical thought. Other books authored are Qaseeda Amali and Adaab-al-Mureedein. Books. Tafseer-e-Qu'rane-e-Majeed Multaqit Havashi Kashaf Shairah-e-Mashareq Shairah Fiqah-e-Akbar Shairah Adab-Ul-Murideen Shairah Ta-arruf Risala Sirat-Ul-Nabi

Tarjuma Mashareq Ma-Arif Tarjuma Awarif Sharah Fasoosul Hukm Tarjuma Risala Qerya Hawa Asahi Quwwat-Ul-Qalb In addition to above subjects, he was much interested in the poetry and in which he has explained the subjects and matters of Irfani (intimate knowledge of Allah) and Natiya (encomium on the holy prophet). Teachings. In his teaching there was much importance for the following. 1.Peer (religious Teacher.) 2. Murid (disciple). His saying are as follows. The disciple can observe Nazara (view) of Allah in the heart of his Peer (teacher) and the Peer can see him in the heart of his Murid (disciple) and about this relation Khaja Sahib has explained further details that the suns reflection is very clear in the water but such direct reflection on the wall is not available. So the Peer is like water and the wall is like Murid (disciple) and if the wall is kept near the water

then the suns reflection will be there on the wall due to the nearness of the water. Khaja Sahib has given much importance to the following things. 1.Tazkia Nafas (purification of mind). 2.Tawajha nam (attention). He explained Tazkia Nafas (purification of mind) can be had by the decrease of the following four things. 1. Less eating. 2. Less talking. 3. Less sleeping. 4. Less contacts. Tawaja Nam (attention) will be free everything from the heart that will belongs to Ghair Khuda (other than Allah). Khaja Sahib says maraqaba (meditation.) is source of the knowledge and it is also source to reach towards the goal. He explained the literal meaning of maraqaba (meditation.) is like sawari (riding) on the camel to reach towards his friend. And its Istalahi (secondary) meaning is the presence of one person before his friend and to keep good hope of the meeting with his friend. The theory of love. The theory of the love of Allah is base of Khaja Sahibs teachings. The further explanation in this matter is follows.

The reason of creation (takhliq) and its secret is love and knowledge of Allah and If there will be no love then the sky will not revolve. If there will be no love then there will be no uproar in the rivers. If there will be no love then there will be no rain fall.If there will be no love then there will be no growth of verdew (Sabza). If there will be no love then there will be no large number of animals. If there will be no love then there will be no status of eloquence. If there will be no love then nobody will worship Allah. If there will be no love then nobody will watch the grace of Allah. Urs (death anniversary). The basis of ceremony of Urs is taken from the Quran. There is one chapter number 19 in the name of Mariam in holy Quran and its verse 15 is about prophet Yahiah (peace be upon) and its translation is as follows. 15. So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again) In the light of the above verse there is importance of following three days. 1. Birth. 2. Death. 3. Day of judgment. The Allahs last prophet has arranged Sadqa (charity) upon the death of his uncle Syedna Hamza on the following days.

1. 3rd day. 2. 7th day. 3. 40th day. 4. 6th month. 5. One year. Allahs last prophet used to visit the graves of martyrs of Uhud mountain in Madina city every year and there he used to recite Fateha ( Al-Fatiha the Opening Chapter of the holy Quran) and pray for them. As per above mentioned verse and as per the above tradition of Allahs last prophet it is proved that the following days are very important. So the ceremony of Urs (death anniversary ) is also important for the above reason only. 1. Death. 2. Day of judgement. Quotes. If a Salik prays or meditates for fame, he is an atheist. If one prays or meditates out of fear, he is a cheat and a hypocrite. So long as a man disengages himself from all the worldly things, he would not step into the road of misconduct. Divide the night into three periods: in the first period say Darud and recitation; in the second sleep and in the third call His name and meditate. The Salik should be careful in food it should be legitimate.

The Salik should abstain from the company of the worldly people. In Gulbarga City. Having lived for over forty years in Delhi, he moved to Gulbarga at the age of around 76. Firoz Shah Bahmani ruled over the Deccan during this period. He gave him much respect. For a long time he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons, and spiritual training of the people. Death. Bande Nawaz attained an age of 101 years, died on 16 Ziqa'ad 825 Hijri in Gulbarga city and was buried there. His tomb is a place of Ziyarat (visit). Mausoleum.

As per history records it is known that the construction of Khaja Sahibs mausoleum was started by Sultan Ahmed Shah

Wali Bahmani and when the construction was completed his grandson Syed Khubullah Hussaini has arranged Jhela (flower bouquet) on the Kalas (spire pinnacle ) of the mausoleum due to his joy and happiness on the occasion. By chance the Urs (death anniversary) was due after one month from the above occasion so it became a tradition in the shrine for the arrangement of Jhela ceremony (flower bouquet) which will organized one month before the Urs (death anniversary). Khaja Sahibs mausoleum in Gulberga city which is famous even today for the fulfillment of desires and wishes of the persons who visit his mausoleum there. Urs (death anniversary ). People from various walks of life, irrespective of caste and creed, assemble to celebrate the urs (death anniversary) which takes place on the 15, 16 and 17 day of Zul-Qa`dah of Muslim calendar at the famous Bande Nawaz dargah (shrine) in Gulbarga every year. Several hundred thousand devotees from near and far, irrespective of religion and beliefs, gather there to seek blessings. Conclusion. To write about this great Sufi saint and great author is not only it is difficult and but it is very hard task as he was not only a great pious personality of his time in the area of Deccan (South India) but he was also a great author of so many

great books so in brief he was Qutub (highest cadre in spiritual pivot at axis) of his time in the Deccan region. For a long time he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons, and spiritual training of the people and he did also many great endeavors for the preaching and propagation work of Islam in Deccan and around this region and there was no such personality during his time.

=========== Refrence : Life and Teachings of Hazrat Syed Mohammed Hussaini Gesu Daraz Bande Nawaz. By Dr. Syed Shah Gesu Daraz Qusru Hussaini Siasat Urdu daily Hyderabad dated 2nd October 2012. Translated from Urdu into English by Mohammed Abdul Hafeez, B.Com. Translator Muslim Saints and Mystics (Tadhikaratal Awliya ). Email : [email protected] =============================