In the Surah al-Kahf of the Quran, the enigmatic Khizr imparted guidance to Moses. His teachings were wonderful, his acts evoking wonder even in Moses, a prophet himself.
Widely regarded as an immortal figure, Khizr was believed to guide seekers of truth, with numerous Sufi accounts describing holy men meeting him at different times and places.
In Delhi, too, Khizr made his presence felt, in an episode involving Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia. The event unfolded in the following manner.
Nizamuddin Aulia originally chose Ghiyaspur (in Delhi) as his place of residence because the suburb was relatively less crowded. But when Sultan Kaiqubad shifted his capital, Ghiyaspur became packed with people. And given Nizamuddin Aulia’s standing, visitors thronged his place at all hours.
Nizamuddin Aulia was troubled by this unending stream of visitors. Feeling that the constant clamour was adversely affecting his spiritual practises, he decided to leave Ghiyaspur.
At that moment, a slender youth appeared before Nizamuddin Aulia. The youth neither introduced himself nor offered any greetings. Instead, he straight away churned out the following lines:
An ruz ke mah shodi namidanesti
Ke angusht nama ye ameli khwahi shod
Emruz ke darbande dele khalqi
Dar gusha neshastanat namidarad sud.
Translation:
That day when you became the moon, you did not know
That you would become the spectacle of the world.
Today, when the hearts of people are bound to you,
Sitting in a seclusion will bring no benefit.
(Ref: Fuwaid ul Fuad)
The words immediately hit home. Nizamuddin Aulia had an instant change of heart and chose to remain in Delhi. As the decades rolled on, his presence would not only bring succour to the countless denizens of Delhi but, at least in popular imagination, would become the main reason behind the Delhi Sultanate’s imperial splendour. So much so that half a century later, writing in faraway Deccan, Abdul Malik Isami had the following to say about him:
“He (Nizamuddin Aulia) was one of the friends of God
Through whom the realm of Hindustan was maintained.
First that man of wise dominion
Set out from Delhi to another kingdom;
After this that city and country were ruined;
Discord prevailed in that realm.” (Ref: Futuh us Salatin)
In the Picture: A Mughal era painting of Nizamuddin Aulia. Late 17th century.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 