The Sufi mystic and poet of the 14th century, Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud Chirag-e-Delhi (1274 - 1356), is and remains one of the most revered figures of the Chishti Sufi Order. The term “Roshan Chirag-e-Delhi,” meaning the “Illuminated Lamp of Delhi,” represents his legacy and the light he spreads even today.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1274 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Nasiruddin Mahmud was the son of Syed Yahya, a Pashmina trader. His family originally hailed from Khorasan (in modern-day Iran) and had settled in Ayodhya. After the early death of his father, Nasiruddin grew up under the care of his mother.
He starts schooling under Maulana Abdul Karim Sherwani, then proceeds with further studies under Maulana Iftikhar Uddin Gilani. His dedication to learning and spiritual growth drove him to Delhi at the age of 40, where he became a disciple of the famous Sufi master Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya.
Spiritual Journey in Delhi
Nasiruddin Mahmud devoted himself entirely to the teachings of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. He spent the rest of his years there as a murid (disciple), and in time, he became the leader of his master's Chishti Order. In addition to his spiritual endeavors, Nasiruddin also gained esteem as a poet, primarily for his Persian works, which aided in developing Urdu poetry.
The Passing of Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud
On 17th Ramadan in the year 1356, Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud passed away at eighty-two. His tomb is in Chirag-e-Delhi, New Delhi, which was built in honor of him. The tomb was believed to have been constructed by Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq in 1358; later, deposits from other regions were used to fund the construction of a mosque during the rule of Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar in the early 18th century.
Disciples and Spiritual Legacy
Another one of Nasiruddin Mahmud's great disciples was Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gezu Daraz, who further disseminated the teachings of the Chishti Order in Daulatabad and Gulbarga. His legacy is kept alive in the dargah (shrine) of Khwaja Bande Nawaz at Gulbarga, which stands for communal harmony and multi-faith.
When he was in Delhi, Nasiruddin Mahmud returned to his birthplace, Ayodhya, where he got several disciples. These included Shaikh Zainuddin Ali Awadhi, Shaikh Fatehullah Awadhi, and Allama Kamaluddin Awadhi, all of which helped disseminate his teachings across different regions of the country.
The Dargah of Chirag-e-Delhi
The Dargah of Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud Chirag-e-Delhi is a revered site, initially enclosed by rectangular walls constructed by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The current structure is a twelve-pillared square chamber surrounded by perforated screens, with four small domed towers at the corners. The tomb is topped with a plastered dome, rising from an octagonal drum.
The Dargah complex also includes several structures, such as the Majlis-Khana (assembly hall), Mahfil-Khana (symposium hall), and a graveyard where several notable personalities are buried. Additionally, several mosques are within the premises, with one mosque built by Farrukhsiyar in honor of Nasiruddin Mahmud in the early 18th century.
Nasiruddin Mahmud and Sufi Practices
Unlike his spiritual guide, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud did not practice or encourage Sema (qawwali), a form of devotional music, which was considered un-Islamic by some intellectuals of the time. Although he did not criticize it openly, this difference in practice is one of the reasons why qawwali is not performed at his shrine today.
The Eternal Light Of Delhi
The spiritual legacy of Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmud Chirag-e-Delhi exists due to his disciples and teaching. His samadhi in Delhi is a historical beacon of moral enlightenment. The Chishti Order still today for centuries has continued to inspire India and even the far east. His life was full of contributions to mysticism and poetry, all of which greatly affected the cultural and spiritual scene of South Asia.
You can also visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah India which is famous for its Sufi traditions, which Nasiruddin Mahmud practiced as well.
