Khwaja Bande Nawaz
Abul Fatah Sadruddin Sayyed Muhammad Hussaini, also known as Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz Chishty, was the luminous Sufi Saint of Chishty Silsila. His Mazar Mubarak is in Gulbarga Sharif.
Name
Gesu Daraz, in his name, means long hair. According to Hazrat Sultan Ashraf Jahangir Kichochvi (R. A) his ancestors were known as Gesu Daraz Sayyid because of their long hairs, so accordingly Khwaja Bande Nawaz get this title too. Khwaja in his name comes from Chishty order, whereas Bande Nawaz means one who enriches the people (devotees).
Life
He was born on 4 Rajab 721 Hijri (1321/13370 A.D) in Delhi. When he was 4 years, his father, Sayyed Yusuf Hussaini migrated from Delhi to Daulatabad, (now in Maharashtra state). It is said that his father was also a great Sufi who is better known as Raju Qattal. His other family members were also fond of Chishty Silsila, especially of Nizamuddin Auliya. The author even mentioned that his father was the Murid of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. He had completed his Hifz-e-Quran in an early childhood along with initial Islamic education later under the outstanding teachers of his time, including Hazrat Qazi Muqtatil Rahmatullah Alaih, and devoted himself towards Tasawwuf. From the onset onwards, he was more inclined towards Sufi Saints and Sufi practices such as Muraqaba. Few years after the Wisal of his father, his mother planned to migrate to Delhi again, so accordingly Bande Nawaz accompanied her. After reaching Delhi, he met Khwaja Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehli and take the oath of allegiance (Bayah) on his dast e Mubarak. After initiating him to Bayah, Khwaja Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehli guided Bande Nawaz to pursue his advance Islamic studies. After completing his advanced Islamic studies, he had accompanied Hazrat Nasriuddin Chirag Dehlvi almost for 20 years in his Khanqah. He carried out Da' wah and preaching for more than 65 years of his life. Khwaja had authored many books, such as Meraj ul Ashiqeen, Risala e Siratunnabi, Yazdah e Risal among others.
He married at the age of 40 with the daughter of Sayyed Ahmed bin Sayyed Jamaluddin Maghribi Rahmatullah Alaih. After spending most of his life in Delhi, he migrated to Kalburgi (present day Gulbarga, Karnataka) in 1398 A.D at the age of 77. He spend his later life there till his Wisal on 1422 A. D/1437 A.D and resting there till present. His son Asgar/Akbar Hussaini became his successor after his Wisal.
Legacy
Saint is equally followed by both of his Hindu and Muslim devotees. It is said that it was Khwaja Bande Nawaz who initially used Dakhini Urdu to spread the teachings. Urs is celebrated annually on 16 zilkad which is marked as an important festival of South India. Khwaja Bande Nawaz Institute of Medical Sciences was established in 2000 in an honor of this noble saint.
Shaah-e-Banda Nawaaz, Shah e Gesu Daraaz, ShahanShah e Daccan pe Lakho Salam by Kailash Kher is one of the many other popular Qawwalis devoted to the Saint.
Notes
Sayyed Shah Yusuf Hussaini Rahmatullah Alaih was recognised as "Raju Qattal" by the local population of his era. He received the epithet "Qattal" because he had killed his Nafs after strict Riyazat or Mujahedaat. His Mazar Mubarak is in Daulatabad, Maharashtra, India.
Frequently asked questions
* Question: Is Shah Raju Hussaini and Raju Qattal are the names of same Buzurg or different?
Answer: No, Shah Raju Hussaini is the different Buzurg, his Mazar is in Misrigunj, Hyderabad, India. He should not be confused with Raju Qattaal Rahmatullah Alaih.
References
* Research work of Allama Mukhtar Shah Naeemi. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
* Sayyed Aminul Qadri on the occasion of Urs of Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz. SDI channel.
* Festivals of India by Anonymous. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
* Dakhini Urdu as a vehicle of Social interaction by Harsh. K. Gupta. Book- Deccan Heritage Page No 203.