An oasis of Sufi harmony, Hazrat Nizamuddin’s tomb stands out The Sufi shrine of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin treasures diverse aspects of faith, accord and communal harmony

30, Oct 2023 | Mariyam Usmani

Several believers behold the historic city of Delhi to be the centre of the Sufi faith! A city which is home to antiques, art, culture, the freedom movement and sundry faiths reaches the epitome of spiritual heights on the premises of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. The strands of faith shimmering between the red threads of trust on the artistic walls of the edifice have the power to stimulate the attention of visitors! 

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The beautiful Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya, visited by thousands, Muslims and non-Muslim believers weaves an environment of eternal credence. Amongst facets of religious concord, the festival of Basant Panchami here is charming! Hindus and Muslims come to pay tribute, experiencing joy in the devotions in the blessed air of universal warmth. In the cut-throat rat-race of competition that plagues the real-life world, the modesty to bow down to the spirituality that reigns in this shrine is gripping. People find solace in the peace, slow down their journey and make a space for refinement, remembrance and marvels! Apart from the religious evolution this shrine also hails the autonomous legacy of equality, liberty and devout friendships.


Mughal painting of Hazrat Nizamuddin: Source: Wikipedia    

The grand musings of Hazrat Nizamuddin

A famous shayer (poet) of Urdu literature Rakim Dehlavi writes;

‘Khudaya bad mahshar ke agar aalam ho phir paida,

Tamashagaah-e-aalam mein Nizamuddi’n ko shahi ho’

[O God! After the day of doom, if the world comes to life

Give the crown to Nizamuddin in the circus of this world.]

This is just a glimpse into the wisdom that flows from this shrine. Hazrat Nizamuddin was a Sufi Muslim worshipper, devoted to the path of ‘Ibadat’ in order to seek, find and enlighten the real purpose of life. In the 14th century, he learned theology and Islamic practices following the pathway of the saint Fariduddin Ganjshankar and Moinuddin Chishti. He chose the path of Sufism. It is also remarkable that he lived under the mystical shade of Baba Fareed with an enchanting connection with Tooti-e-hind, the great poet Amir Khusro and Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh Delhavi, a long line in a rich tradition.

His shrine stands in close proximity to the Humayun tomb and is a place where people from all sects, communities and social classes stand in a queaue to pray and bow down. The grave of Hazrat Amir Khusro and several other ‘Qabrs’ inside the same edifice draws the public through an intricate path. 

The followers of Nizamuddin and Amir Khusro also pay tribute to the grave of Mirza Ghalib in the neighborhood, the great Urdu poet who is another embodiment of syncretic culture with his famous Persian verses on the charm of Banaras, the city of temples, though he shunned formal religion. 

Thousands of businessmen, Fakirs, historians, ordinary citizens, literary people and the most famous Qawwals of the subcontinent have contributed to this flamboyant tradition embodied with devotion and creativity. This space puts at bay –for a bit at least—discriminations, andand ties individuals through the brook of fragrant beliefs. 

The celebration of spring and hopes: Basant Panchami

However, the lanes around the shrine are always crammed with rush and chaos. Every year the shrine-committee makes special arrangements to celebrate Basant-Panchami. The Thali’z with yellow coverings, sweet-smelling Gulab and Chameli, the holy Qura’an reciting sessions and melodic evenings amidst the echoes of ‘kun-Fa-ya-kun’ and ‘Aaj rang hai ri’ are enough to invoke the magic of the Sufi appeal. The couplets of Hazrat Ameer Khusro are widely sung during the welcoming season, adding more magic to the imprints of religious kernel! Hindus also hold a wide-ranging and parallel regard and participation in this bright carnival.       

 

The Sufis have summoned the supernatural power to raise their distinct aura and break the barricades which hinder the path of ‘Ishq-e-Haqiqi’. Their notions also possess a woman-oriented perspective to open the doors of the God for a more enlightened population. The Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin also has a separate nook for the female believers to offer namaz and pray with peace! This is a quite innovative step to establish and reach an inclusive ethics.    

Divergent tales of faith and prayers

Flanked by several rituals, the Dua-E-Roshni is another regular ritual of the prestigious Mazar. In Islam the moment of kindling Chiragh after sunset is compared with the first influx of a Farishta who, after death, will ask the questions to track the depth of Iman. According to the traditional Islamic theories, people recite a special Dua while lighting lamp in the dark. The Dua-e-Roshni marks the same core, when the lovers of Piya Nizamuddin accumulate around for collective prayers. The Hindustan Times has taken note of a Hindu Believer, Hari Babu who has been lighting lamps in the edifice and leading the allure of Dua-e-Roshni from past 40 years.  This story was covered by another devotee of Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mayank Austen Soofi, a contemporary writer and photographer who has been forming the everyday film of magical realism by capturing the people, places and tales of Delhi. 

His work around Hazrat-Nizamuddin widely grasps the eyes of scholars, historians, artists and literary people across the nation and beyond the borders. 


Hari Babu – Mayak Austen Soofi for The Hindustan Times

When we live under the roof of same sun and inhale the same air, when we dive into the river with the same thirst, then why do we create ramparts on the path of religion? When nourishing the ability to love the human-race is one of the key purposes of faith, why do we create barriers to mitigate the boons of the shared flora and fauna?

According to the Sufism, holding the rope of ilahi is the only medium to achieve love of his Mehboob. Thus, holding the rope of humanity and compassion are the only set of steps to identify the purest form of love and accomplish the courage and power to fight for the right!   

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Tags:

#basant-panchami #dargah #everyday-harmony #hate-hatao #hate-hatao-desh-bachao #hazrat-nizamuddin #sufi

 

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