The Chishti Order was founded by Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami ("the Syrian") (d. 941 C.E.) who brought sufism to the town of Chisht, some 95 miles east of Herat in present-day Afghanistan. Before returning to the Levant, Shami initiated, trained, and deputized the son of the local Amir, Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal (d. 966). Under the leadership of Khwaja Abu Ahmad’s descendants, the Chishtiyya as they are also known flourished as a regional mystical order specializing in sema -- ritual music and Islamicprayer combined with sacred dancing. Qawwali devotional music, very popular in the Indian subcontinent and particularly in Pakistan, spawned from the Chishtia Order.
The appointment of a son as a successor is an exception with the Chishtis, but in case of genuine spiritual capacities there is nothing against the appointment of one’s son.
It is therefore clear that Mo’inuddin Chishti is not the founder of the Chishtiyya.
Khwaja Mo’inuddin Chishti was born in Isfahan in the year 530 A.H. Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (= Helper of the poor) as Mo’inuddin Chishti was known received his early education at home.
Feeds |
Contact