Day: May 4, 2026

The Perfect Spiritual Guide (Murshid) of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (رحمة الله عليه):

Name and Lineage
Blessed name: Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni
Kunya (title): Abu al-Noor
Honorific title: Shaykh al-Islam
His noble lineage reaches, in the eleventh generation, to Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him).
Birth
According to most historians, he was born in 536 AH / 1141 CE in the town of Haroon (or Harwan) in Khurasan, near Nishapur.
Because of this place, he became معروف as “Harooni.” Some scholars say “Harwani” is more correct, but “Harooni” became commonly used among both scholars and the العامة.
A famous supplicatory verse says:
“By the حق of Khwaja Usman Harooni… O Moinuddin Chishti, help!”
Education
He received his early education from his respected father. Later, he traveled to Nishapur for higher studies, which was a major center of knowledge at that time.
He studied under renowned scholars and became proficient in all the prevalent sciences. Soon, he was counted among the distinguished scholars of his era.
Spiritual Allegiance (Bay‘ah) and Khilafah
After completing outward knowledge, he sought inner (spiritual) knowledge. Allah guided him to the khanqah of
Khwaja Sharif Zindani, where he took bay‘ah in the Chishti order.
Through عبادت، مجاہدہ، اور ریاضت (worship, struggle, and discipline), he reached spiritual perfection. His Murshid granted him khilafah (spiritual succession).
He also benefited from Khwaja Maudood Chishti.
Character and Spiritual Rank
He is counted among the كبار اولیاء (great saints) and leading spiritual masters of Islam.
He was a جامع (comprehensive master) of:
Shari‘ah and Tariqah
Outward and inward sciences
Tasawwuf and Ma‘rifah
It is written:
“He was the most knowledgeable in Shari‘ah, Tariqah, and Haqiqah.”
Teachings of His Murshid
His Murshid instructed him with deep wisdom, saying:
Follow the way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Adopt humility and فقری (spiritual poverty)
Never consider yourself superior to others
Pride destroys spiritual مقام
Worship and Spiritual Discipline
Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni was known for extreme asceticism:
He memorized the Qur’an
Recited one complete Qur’an daily
For 70 years, he never ate to full satisfaction
Stayed awake at night in worship
Sometimes fasted continuously for days
Lived on minimal food
He would weep intensely in spiritual gatherings (sama‘), sometimes becoming overwhelmed with divine states.
After prayer, a voice from the unseen would say:
“We have accepted your prayer. Ask what you wish.”
He would reply:
“O Allah, I want only You.”
When asked again, he would say:
“Forgive the sinners of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.”
It was proclaimed that thousands of sinners were forgiven بسبب his دعاء.
Special Prayers
In his later life in Makkah, he made two special prayers:
That his grave be in Makkah and remain known
That his spiritual son,
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti,
be granted a unique ولایت (spiritual authority)
A heavenly voice answered:
His grave will remain محفوظ in Makkah
Moinuddin Chishti will be granted unmatched spiritual authority in India
Miracles and Influence
He transformed countless lives:
Many non-Muslims accepted Islam at his hands
Many sinners repented
Many reached high spiritual ranks
One famous incident:
He entered fire holding a child among fire-worshippers, and the fire turned into a garden. Witnessing this, they accepted Islam.
Greatest Spiritual Legacy
His greatest miracle is his disciple:
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as Sultan al-Hind.
Khalifahs (Successors)
Among his distinguished successors:
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Khwaja Najmuddin Sughra
Khwaja Syed Arab Bukhari
Khwaja Ahmad Bukhari
Qazi Daniyal Qatri
Through them, countless people embraced Islam.
Sayings and Poetry
His teachings were compiled by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in “Anis al-Arwah.”
He also had poetic expression, including:
“I do not know why I dance at the moment of لقاء,
But I take pride in this state—that I dance before my Beloved.”
Passing (Wisal)
He passed away on 5 Shawwal 617 AH (3 December 1220 CE) in Makkah.
His blessed grave is located near Jannat al-Mu‘alla and remains preserved—fulfilling his supplication.
Al-Fatiha