Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya

The personality and the great work of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1243-1325) commands a special place in the cultural and philosophical history of India. While sitting in Delhi, he spent almost half a century in trying to weave human hearts through the chord of love and establishing an unbroken relationship with the Almighty. Like his great Pir Baba Farid Ganjshakar, he liked to unite and integrate. Whether tattered clothes or broken heart, he experienced ecstasy in joining them together. Unity instead of severance, love instead of haterd-this was his approach and he toiled day and night to realize it.

He presented a revolutionary view of religion that gave public service the status of religious worship. He himself never submitted before any ruler, in fact, kept himself so aloof from the courtly atmosphere and influence that his Khanquah could never become the part of Delhi state despite being in Delhi. Its life was patterned on entirely different principles. State dictates were hardly capable of influencing its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. While remaining aloof from the ruler and politics, he devoted his life in the service of mankind and prepared such a race of spiritually strong people who devoted their life in the cultivation of moral and spiritual values. Thus spread gradually from his Khanquah sources of humanity, spirituality and universal brotherhood across the country.

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