Chishti Shrine: Pilgrimage of Faith - Chishti's Shrine  

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Chishti Shrine: Pilgrimage of Faith - Chishti's Shrine  

Pilgrims are flocking to the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer on the occasion of the annual Urs. Popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, the dargah symbolises a touching synthesis of the hopes and prayers of various faiths and communities.

Both Hindus and Muslims remember Moinuddin Chishti as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, revering him for his simple teachings and eclectic philosophy. The Khwaja believed that no spiritual exercise, penitence, prayer, or vigil had greater value than bringing succour to distressed hearts and helping the needy. He directed all his efforts towards alleviation of human misery.

Of course, no one can claim to provide answers to all questions; nor can anyone solve every problem there is. The Khwaja's mission was to provide consolation and emotional security to seekers, to help diffuse tension, and bring inner peace and tranquillity within everyone's reach.

''Develop river-like generosity, sun-like bounty and earth-like hospitality'', exhorted the Sheikh who believed in tark-e-duniya; that one's life could have divine significance only if he firmly rejected all material attractions. It meant rejection of an attitude that extolled only material struggles while neglecting the divine. It meant cultivating the art of detachment. Real happiness, according to the Sheikh, lay not in accumulating money but in giving and spending it on others, especially the deserving.

Devotion to God is of two kinds, according to Chishti. The first kind of devotion, lazmi , is confined to the devotee: this includes praying, fasting, going on a pilgrimage to Mecca and recitation of the Qur'an.

The other kind of devotion, muta'addi , is one which brings advantage and comfort to others; it is followed by spending money on others, helping those in need and never hurting the feelings of anyone. The bounties of muta'addi are limitless.

Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti believed in non-violence and pacifism. Violence, he said, created more problems than it solved. In forgiveness, large-heartedness and tolerance lay the supreme talisman of man's happiness.

He advised his disciples to be good to their enemies too and often recited Persian verses to support his philosophy: "He who is not my friend, may God be his friend/ And he who bears ill-will against me, may his joys increase. He who puts thorns in my way on account of enmity/ May every flower that blossoms in the garden of his life be without thorns."

This approach is based on the Sufi interpretation of human nature. Nafs (the material ego) is the abode of mischief, strife and animosity while qalb (the human soul) is the centre of peace, goodwill and harmony.

If nafs is met by nafs , strife would not end but if matched by qalb , there would be goodwill. He believed suppression of anger only directed the virus to other channels of thought and action.

"Forgive a person who has committed a wrong and thus eliminate your anger. Forgiveness and not retribution is the way to happiness in society.''

Khwaja Gharib Nawaz believed that Islam meant submission to God and submission to God meant serving the creation of God without prejudice. The Khwaja believed in self-control and self-criticism as the best methods of reducing tension in society.

When wronged, he would consider it a divine reprimand for something that had gone wrong. "If a man finds fault with me or accuses me of wrongdoing, I should first search my own heart and see whether that fault is in me. If it is, I should not be ashamed at being apprised of it by someone else. If I do not have that fault with me, I should be grateful to God that I have been protected and I should not find fault in others."

The Khwaja was a true mystic and stood for everlasting values. That's why even today his shrine draws thousands of pilgrims of all faiths.

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See also: Chishti Shrine, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)