Hazrat Syed Banda Nawaz Gesudaraz Gulbargah r.a

During the above period Hazrat Khaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz was born on 4th Rajab 721 A.H. in Delhi. Syed Muhammad Hussaini, commonly known as Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gaisu Daraz, Shahbaz, Buland Pervaz,Muharram Razwa Niaz (July 13, 1321 -November 1, 1422), was a famous Sufi saint from India of the Chishti Order, who advocated understanding, tolerance and harmony among various religious groups. 

As per reference of Syed Ashraf Jehangir Samnani Khaja Sahib belongs to Sadat (descendant of prophets family) family of Khurasan and those Sadat family members were well known and famous as Gesu Daraz.

Khaja Bande Nawaz Gaisu Daraz was a murid (disciple) of the noted Sufi saint of Delhi, Hazrat Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi. After the death of Chiragh Dehlavi, Gaisu Daraz took on the mantle of the successor (khalifa). When he moved to Daulatabad around 1398, owing to the attack of Timur on Delhi, he took the Chishti Order to South India. He finally settled down in Gulbarga, at the invitation of Bahamani Sultan, Taj ud-D in Firuz Shah. Banda Nawaz was born to Syed Muhammad Hussaini in Delhi in 1321. At the age of four, his family shifted to Daulatabad in Deccan (now in Maharashtra). In 1397, he went to Gulbarga, Deccan (presently in Karnataka) at the invitation of Sultan Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah.

At the age of fifteen, he returned to Delhi for his education and training by Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi. He was also a very enthusiastic student of Hazrat Kethli, Hazrat Tajuddin Bahadur and Qazi Abdul Muqtadir. After teaching at various places such as Delhi, Mewath, Gwalior, Chander, Aircha, Chatra, Chanderi, Miandhar, Baroda, Khambayat and Gulbarga in 1397 and died in Gulbarga in the year November 1422.

His name as well as patronymic was Abul-Fatah and Gaisu Daraz was his title. Among the scholars and theologians he was Sheikh Abul-Fatah Sadr Uddin Muhammad Dehlavi but people called him Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gaisu Daraaz.

Khaja Sahib had good nature of taking care and comfort of the other persons instead of himself and whatever presented to him by any person then he will used to distribute the same to other needy and poor persons immediately and for this reason his teacher Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi was awarded him the title as’ Gesu Daraz’.

Sultan Muhammad-bin Tughlaq once transferred his capital to Daulatabad (Devgiri) and along with him went many scholars, theologians, and mystics. His parents also migrated to the place. He was four years at the time and Malik-ul-Umar Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Mustafa, his maternal uncle, was the governor of Daulatabad.

When Sultan Mohammed Bin Tuglaq had ordered for the shifting of his capital from Delhi to Doulatabad then Khaja Sahib came to Doulatabad along with his parents. His father Syed Yousuf Hussaini alias Raju Khattal died in the year 1330 A.D. After five years Khaja Sahib came back to Delhi along with his mother and brother.

In the year 1336 A.D. Khaja Sahib and his brother became disciples of Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi and Khaja Sahib got caliphate from him in the year 1336 A.D. and during this year Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi died on 18th Ramazan. Three days after the death of his great master Nasir Uddin Chirag Dehlavi Khaja Sahib became special care taker of the shrine of Nasir Uddin Chirag Delhavi.

In Delhi.

On the death of his father his mother grew angry with her brother, and returned to Delhi. He was fifteen at the time. He had heard a lot about Hazrat Nizam Uddin Auliya and Hazrat Nasir Uddin Roshan Chiragh Dehlavi from his father and maternal grand father and grew devoted to them. One day he went to say his prayer in the Jama-Majid of Sultan Qutub Uddin, there he saw Hazrat Sheikh Nasir Uddin Mahmud Chiragh Dehlavi and pledged obedience to him on 16, Rajab. Under the guidance of Hazrat Nasir Uddin Chiragh Dehlavi he engaged himself in prayers and meditation and so much enjoyed them that lie forbade studies and requested his teacher to allow him to do so. Hazrat Nasir Uddin denied him permission and instructed him to study with attention Usool-e-Bizoori, Risals Shamsia, Kashaf, Misbah so he restarted the studies under the guidance of renowned teachers.

Title Gesu-Daraz.

One day Khaja Sahib with other disciples lifted the palanquin bearing Hazrat Nasir Uddin. His long hair stuck into the foot of the palanquin (palki) and pained him severely but he did not disentangle them for love and respect to the teacher. When Hazrat Nasir Uddin learned of the episode, he was overjoyed and recited the Persian couplet:
“Har ki murid Syed gesu daraaz shud Vallah khilaf-e-nest ki Uoo ishq baaz shud.” (“Syed Gesu Daraaz has pledged his obedience; there is nothing wrong in it because he has deeply fallen in love.”)

He thus gained the title “Gesu-Daraaz”.

For a period of 40 years he was busy in Delhi for the preaching and teaching work of Islam . As per his mother’s instruction he was married at the age of 40 years. The details of his sons and daughters is mentioned as follows.

1.Two sons.
2.Three daughters.

Eldest Son:
Hazrat Syed Shah Akbar Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) is the elder son of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ).

Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Syed Shah Akbar Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) is exactly opposite to the Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ). The Mazar-e-Shareef of Hazrat Syed Shah Akbar Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) is beside the mazar-e-shareef of his Walidah Majidah Mohtaram Saheb (RA) in the same dargah shareef.

Youngest Son  :
A Little Distance from the Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ), is the dargah shareef of his younger son Hazrat Syed Shah Asgar Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra-ul-Azeez ).

Grand Son :
Hazrat Syed Shah Qubulullah Shah Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) is the son of Hazrat Syed Shah Asgar Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra-ul-Azeez ) and Grandson of Hazrat Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ).

The Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Nadeem ullah Shah Hussaini ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) is here who is also the descendant of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ).

Hazrata Sitti Maa Bi ( RA) had a parrot which was Hafiz-e-Quran. Even Today there is a miracle here many children whose have speaking problems come here and sugar is given as tabruk which kept on the mazar-e-mubark of this parrot. This Tabaruk has solved the problems of millions.

Dargah Shareef of Shahin shah-e-Daccan ( King of Awliyas of South India ) Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaaz Gesu Daraaz Buland Parvaaz Namudaan-e-Sarfaraaz Qaddas Allahu Sirra-ul-Azeez – More 6 lakhs People come on the occasionof Urs from all over India to Gulbarga Shareef )

On 11th November 1398 A.D. he was migrated to Doulatabad from Delhi along with his family members and parents and at that time Khaja Sahib was 80 years old and from Bahdurpur, Gwalior, Bahandir, Chanderi, Baroda, Sultanpur, Khambait, Khaja Sahib and his family members reached to Doulatabad.
During the above long journey of many days many thousand of his devotees welcomed and greeted him on his way in the above old Indian cities. As per records of history it is clear that Khaja Sahib has advised his disciples for his final resting place in Doulatabad near his father’s grave but due to the invitation of Sultan Feroze Shah Bahmani to visit Gulberga city so Khaja Sahib left from Doulatabad and reached gulberga city.

In the year 1400 A.D he graced the land of Gulberga. His shrine is located in the western side of the Gulberga fort in which he has spent some time there but due to some difference with the sultan he left that place and shifted to the present area where his tomb is situated.

Khaja Sahib was busy in Gulberga city for a period of 22 years in the preaching and teaching work as well writing of Islamic books and he was died on 16th Ziqad in the year 825 A.H. He advised his disciples to bury him in the city of Khuldabad but due to some un-known reason he was buried in Gulberga city.
Works.

Khaja sahib authored many books so in this matter it is not confirmed how many books he has authored. As per history records he has written total 105 book. As per reference in book ‘Alkwaraq’ that he has written 125 books. In the book ‘Sair Mohammed’ it is mentioned 36 books and in the book of ‘Tariq Habibi’ 45 books are mentioned. He has written many books and in which he has discussed the following subjects in them.

1. Knowledge of exegesis of Quran.
2. Traditions of Allah’s last prophet.
3. Fiqah (Islamic Jurisprudence).
4. Kalam (speech).
5. Sufism.
6. Poetry.

Bande Nawaz authored about 195 books in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. His magnum opus, Tafseer Multaqat, was compiled into one book very recently. He also composed a book on the Prophet of Islam titled ‘Miraj-al Ashiqin’ for the instruction of the masses in Deccani, a South Indian branch of the Urdu language. He was the first Sufi to use this vernacular which was elaborated upon by many other Sufi saints of South India in later centuries. He wrote many treatises on the works on Ibn Arabi and Suhrawardi, which made the works of these scholars accessible to Indian scholars and played a major role in influencing later mystical thought. Other books authored are ‘Qaseeda Amali’ and ‘Adaab-al-Mureedein.’

Books.

Tafseer-e-Qu’rane-e-Majeed
Multaqit
Havashi Kashaf
Shairah-e-Mashareq
Shairah Fiqah-e-Akbar
Shairah Adab-Ul-Murideen
Shairah Ta-arruf
Risala Sirat-Ul-Nabi
Tarjuma Mashareq
Ma-Arif
Tarjuma Awarif
Sharah Fasoosul Hukm
Tarjuma Risala Qerya
Hawa Asahi Quwwat-Ul-Qalb

In addition to above subjects, he was much interested in the poetry and in which he has explained the subjects and matters of Irfani (intimate knowledge of Allah) and Natiya (encomium on the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam)).

Teachings.

In his teaching there was much importance for the following.
1.Peer (religious Teacher.)
2. Murid (disciple).

His saying are as follows.

“The disciple can observe Nazara (view) of Allah in the heart of his Peer (teacher) and the Peer can see him in the heart of his Murid (disciple) and about this relation Khaja Sahib has explained further details that the sun’s reflection is very clear in the water but such direct reflection on the wall is not available. So the Peer is like water and the wall is like Murid (disciple) and if the wall is kept near the water then the sun’s reflection will be there on the wall due to the nearness of the water.”

Khaja Sahib has given much importance to the following things.

1.Tazkia Nafas (purification of mind).
2.Tawajha nam (attention).
He explained Tazkia Nafas (purification of mind) can be had by the decrease of the following four things.

1. Less eating.
2. Less talking.
3. Less sleeping.
4. Less contacts.

Tawaja Nam (attention) will be free everything from the heart that will belongs to Ghair Khuda (other than Allah).
Khaja Sahib says maraqaba (meditation.) is source of the knowledge and it is also source to reach towards the goal. He explained the literal meaning of maraqaba (meditation.) is like sawari (riding) on the camel to reach towards his friend. And its Istalahi (secondary) meaning is the presence of one person before his friend and to keep good hope of the meeting with his friend.

The theory of love.

The theory of the love of Allah is base of Khaja Sahib’s teachings. The further explanation in this matter is follows.
The reason of creation (takhliq) and its secret is love and knowledge of Allah and If there will be no love then the sky will not revolve. If there will be no love then there will be no uproar in the rivers. If there will be no love then there will be no rain fall.If there will be no love then there will be no growth of verdew (Sabza).

If there will be no love then there will be no large number of animals. If there will be no love then there will be no status of eloquence. If there will be no love then nobody will worship Allah. If there will be no love then nobody will watch the grace of Allah.

Urs (death anniversary).

The basis of ceremony of Urs is taken from the Quran. There is one chapter number 19 in the name of Mariam in holy Quran and its verse 15 is about prophet Yahiah (peace be upon) and its translation is as follows.

“15. So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again) ” 
In the light of the above verse there is importance of following three days.

1. Birth.
2. Death.
3. Day of judgment.

The Allah’s last prophet has arranged Sadqa (charity) upon the death of his uncle Syedna Hamza on the following days.

1. 3rd day.
2. 7th day.
3. 40th day.
4. 6th month.
5. One year.

Allah’s last prophet used to visit the graves of martyrs of Uhud mountain in Madina city every year and there he used to recite Fateha ( Al-Fatiha the Opening Chapter of the holy Quran) and pray for them.

As per above mentioned verse and as per the above tradition of Allah’s last prophet it is proved that the following days are very important. So the ceremony of Urs (death anniversary ) is also important for the above reason only.

1. Death.
2. Day of judgement.
Quotes.

If a Salik prays or meditates for fame, he is an atheist.
If one prays or meditates out of fear, he is a cheat and a hypocrite.

So long as a man disengages himself from all the worldly things, he would not step into the road of misconduct.
Divide the night into three periods: in the first period say Darud and recitation; in the second sleep and in the third call His name and meditate.
The Salik should be careful in food it should be legitimate.
The Salik should abstain from the company of the worldly people.

In Gulbarga City.
Having lived for over forty years in Delhi, he moved to Gulbarga at the age of around 76. Firoz Shah Bahmani ruled over the Deccan during this period. He gave him much respect. For a long time he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons, and spiritual training of the people.

Death.

Bande Nawaz attained an age of 101 years, died on 16 Ziqa’ad 825 Hijri in Gulbarga city and was buried there. His tomb is a place of Ziyarat (visit).

Mausoleum.

As per history records it is known that the construction of Khaja Sahib’s mausoleum was started by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani and when the construction was completed his grandson Syed Khubullah Hussaini has arranged Jhela (flower bouquet) on the Kalas (spire pinnacle ) of the mausoleum due to his joy and happiness on the occasion. By chance the Urs (death anniversary) was due after one month from the above occasion so it became a tradition in the shrine for the arrangement of Jhela ceremony (flower bouquet) which will organized one month before the Urs (death anniversary).

Khaja Sahib’s mausoleum in Gulberga city which is famous even today for the fulfillment of desires and wishes of the persons who visit his mausoleum there.

Urs (death anniversary ).

People from various walks of life, irrespective of caste and creed, assemble to celebrate the urs (death anniversary) which takes place on the 15, 16 and 17 day of Zul-Qa`dah of Muslim calendar at the famous Bande Nawaz dargah (shrine) in Gulbarga every year. Several hundred thousand devotees from near and far, irrespective of religion and beliefs, gather there to seek blessings.

Conclusion.

To write about this great Sufi saint and great author is not only it is difficult and but it is very hard task as he was not only a great pious personality of his time in the area of Deccan (South India) but he was also a great author of so many great books so in brief he was Qu’tub (highest cadre in spiritual pivot at axis) of his time in the Deccan region. For a long time he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons, and spiritual training of the people and he did also many great endeavors for the preaching and propagation of Islam in Deccan and around it and there was no such personality during his time. 

Why Hazrat Syedina Khwja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz referred as Shahinshah-e-deccan / Sultan-e-Deccan / Khwaja-e-Deccan ( King of Saints of South India ) ? 

Point No.1
He is Syed in blood  ” Hassani and Hussaini Syed , descedant of Hazrat Syedina Imam-e-Hassan  ( Radi Allahu Anhu ) and Syedina Imam-e-Hussain ( Radi Allahu Anhu )  

 

Point No.2
He was Yateem at the age of 10 years.  Most of the great Auliya or Islamic Personalities were yateem  in childhood. 

 

Point No.3
As narrated by Great Qutb Wali Allah Khwaja-e-Bangalore Khwaja Mehboob Ali Shah Chishty Khwaja Lalu Bhai Qasir (RA) in his great Kalams about the childhood waqiyas. Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz (RA) in his childhood showed Karamaats like Mohjizahs ” the deceased persons from the graves came out when he had hit on the graves with a stick which was in his hands while passing through a grave yard in his childhood.” Such Karamaats like  Mohjizah of Anbiyas  is not possible by any other awliyas expect a great syed sadath descendant of beloved prophet sal-lal-lahu alaihi wa sallam . In every era Allah Ta’ala has created people who enjoy His Love and proximity.  These divine personalities guide the misguided humanity.  They pull them out from the depths of apostasy and polytheism, from the darkness of misguidance, from oppression and barbarity and bless them with Iman, guidance, knowledge and gnosis (Ilm and Ma’rifah), justice and benevolence.  They purge their selves and purify their hearts.  They instruct them in the right beliefs.  They teach them the ways of worship and manners.  They prescribe spiritual exercises for the purification of the psyche.  Qutb-e-A’alam (Lit. the Pole of the world), the most unique among all those who are unique, Hadhrat Syed Muhammad Hussaini Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraaz (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was one of these divine personalities on the land of Deccan.

 

Point No.4
Many Awliyas and Qutbs accepted him as the ” King of Awliyas in South India ” – ShahinShah-e-Daccan ” Khwaja-e-Daccan

 

Point No.5
No Awliya Allah in South India has served Islam and work for Shariyat & Tareeqat  like Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz Buland Parvaz Namudan-e-Sarfaraz Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez.

 

” If anyone rejects this article ” I will say he is rejecting  many awliyas and qutbs of great muqams of wilayat.

 

Point No.6 
Urs-e-Shareef attracts millions of people more than 6 million people gather on the occassion of Urs-e-shareef in Gulbarga on this urs of this great awliya of south india . After Ajmeer Shareef in India this Dargah Shareefs Ranks No.2 in all aspects and as per points mentioned above.

 

Point No.7
Urs-e-shareef Posters are circulated even today in all the cities of South India, which you will not find such a beautiful posters and vast circulation like this awliya Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz (RA) Gesu Daraaz (RA)- Shahinshah-e-daccan, really he is Shahinshah of awliyas ruling in south india as said by many qutbs and awliyas.

 

Point No.8
Fuqras of different Tareeqs come from different States of India, this is not the case in other dargahs. The name of this awliya Hazrat Khwaja-e-Daccan is known by all khadims of major dargahs of India. So he is really the shahinshah of daccan, Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz buland parvaz ( qaddas allahu sirra ul azeez )

 

Point No.9
Qawals from different states come here, these qawals have become world famous qawals only because of the nazar-e-khaas of shahinshah-e-daccan Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz buland parvaz ( qaddas allahu sirra ul azeez ). The Darbar of Shahinshah-e-daccan is no.2 in Sama Qani and Tasawuff after Ajmeer Shareef from centuries.

 

Point No.10
Syedan Descendants.
The Descendants ( Aal-e-pak ) of Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) have played a very important role in spreading Islam, Islam shines by them every where in South India and these descendants have set great examples in South India and all are  major awliyas of great heights and have dargah shareefs. This example you will not find in case of other awliyas so he is the real shahinshah in all aspects mentioned above. 

 

Point No.11
Great Literature by Sultan of Awliyas of SouthIndia Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez ) for Islam. This Great Awliya sacrified his entire life in serving people by in the field of litereture and spreading islam. He has set a large number of disciples and a great Khidmat of Quran-e-kareem and hadith e mubarakas which no other awliya has set such examples in South India. He was a great scholar on material as well as spiritual subjects. He left many books.
It is said, he was the first writer of a magazine on mysticism in Urdu. 
He wrote about 100 books on Persian and Arabic. Some of them are:
Tafseer (Commentary)-e-Quran-e-Majeed. 
Multaqit. 
Havashi Kashaf. 
Shairah-e-Mashareq. 
Shairah Fiqah-e-Akbar. 
Shairah Adab-Ul-Murideen. 
Shairah Ta-arruf. 
Risala Sirat-Ul-Nabi. 
Tarjuma Mashareq. 
Ma-Arif. 
Tarjuma Awarif. 
Sharah Fasoosul Hukm. 
Tarjuma Risala Qerya, 
Hawa Asahi Quwwat-Ul-Qalb, etc. etc. 

 

12. In South India you will find more Educational Institutions, Engineering Colleges, Hospitals, Seminars, Conferences on Shahinshah-e-daccan Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz Buland Parvaaz ( Qaddas Allahu Sirra ul Azeez )  not only in Gulbarga shareefs but also in other states. So he is worth fo this title which many great qutbs and awliyas mentioned already

 

Point No.13
some of the Great Auliyas Qutbs who have stated hazrat khwaja banda nawaz as shahinshah e daccan (RA)

1) Hazrat Khwaja Ameen uddin ‘Ala Sher Khuda (RA) of Bijapur and many other major auliyas of bijapur

2) Hazrat Khwaja Nazar Ali Shah Chishty(RA) – Greatest Syed Sadath Dargah in Bangalore.

3) Hazrat Khwaja Lalu Bhai Qasir (RA) – known as Khwaja of Bangalore – was a great qutb of his times and mentions in his great kalams.

4) Hazrat Khwaja Abdul Bhai Qaseer (RA) also one of the great auliya 

5) Hazrat Moinuddin (RA) of Bangerpet.

Also auliyas like Hazrat Khalifat-ur-Rahman Baba (RA), Hazrat Qadeer Allah Yameni (RA) of Halkatta Shareef and other auliyas of Qadri order had great great respect and all these auliyas have also done chilla in gulbarga shareef.

Also many other auliyas from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh state and have visited Gulbarga Shareef only from past 600 years and Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz (RA) is Shahinshah on the authority of above auliyas.