Deewan Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Foreword

Maulana Azad Arabic and Persian Research Institute was established by the Government of Rajasthan in 1978. Since then it has rendered great service to the literature in oriental languages. The catalogue of the Institute speaks itself about the treasure of manuscripts and rare books including many unique ones not available anywhere in the world.
Besides publishing the books of high literary values, the Institute is also interested in the translations of the recognised works of the stalwarts in the past.
Mr. Khuda Dad Khan Moonis is a well known poet, writer and translator. He has always tried to touch subjects of special character. He has translated into English the Persian Deewan attributed to Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Mr. Khan has relied upon the Deewan of Khwaja Sahib (2nd edition 2008) entitled as "Kalame-Irfan Taraz" printed by Farid Book Depot (Pvt) Ltd., New Delhi-2 and published by Sultanul Hind Publications, Ajmer. The Ist edition had come out in 1992. It is compiled and edited by Late Syed Saulat Hussain, Ex Sajjada Nashin and Diwan, Dargah Huzur Gharib Nawaz. The book contains a preface written by him and so also the excerpts of the book "Lam-aat-e-Khwaja" of Maulvi Moinuddin Ahmed Chishti Qadri and Maulvi Shamsul Hasan 'Shams' Barielvy printed in 1978 at Millat Printing Press, Karachi wherein a critical analysis is attempted about Deewan- e-Moin.

Preface Some two years back a Sufi friend of mine came to me and desired that I should translate into English a Naat (Dar jaan cho kard manzil jaanaane ma Muhammed) for the sake of one of his followers residing in South Africa. This was composed by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (May his soul rest in peace). This sparked the idea in my mind to translate the whole collection of the poetry attributed to Khwaja Sahib since it would be a service to those who do not know Persian.
Khwaja Sahib was a great sufi saint and scholar of 13th/14th century. Persian was his mother tongue and equal command he had on Arabic. He was a Master of Mysticism, Philosophy, Astronomy and Social Sciences. His social and educational relevance is presently recognised more than ever before. Many books on Tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism), are attributed to him. Besides, he has contributed much to poetry also. His Deewan i.e. the collection of his poetry is a treasure of Quranic teachings, mystic values and social ideology.
**Contents and Sample Pages**