Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha: A Paragon Of Faith And Devotion

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 31 January 2025 Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha, Mother Of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Rahmatullah Alaih, Was A Paragon Of Faith And Devotion. Known For Her Miracles And Unwavering Trust In Allah, Her Life Inspires Millions. Her Shrine In Delhi Continues To Attract Devotees Seeking Blessings And Spiritual Solace. Main Points: 1. Descendant of Imam Husain, daughter of Sayyid Arab Bukhari. 2. Renowned for piety, devotion, and miracles. 3. Trusted Allah in times of hardship, declaring, "Today we are Allah’s guests." 4. Her supplications, like the return of a runaway maid, were instantly answered. 5. Her shrine in Delhi remains a spiritual haven for devotees. ----- Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha, revered as Mai Sahiba Chishtiya Dehlavi, was a woman of extraordinary spiritual stature and the mother of one of India’s most celebrated Sufi saints, Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah have mercy on him). Her life was a testament to unwavering faith, deep devotion, and an unshakable connection with Allah. Known for her piety and asceticism, she was often compared to Rabia Basri, the famous female Sufi saint, and was regarded as a ‘Waliyah-e-Kamilah’ (perfect saint) of her time. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha, whose full name was Sayyida Zulaikha, was the daughter of Hazrat Sayyid Arab Bukhari (May Allah have mercy on him), a descendant of the noble lineage of Sayyids tracing back to Imam Husain (May Allah be pleased with him). Her father, a scholar and spiritual luminary, migrated from Bukhara (modern-day Uzbekistan) to Ghazni, Afghanistan, and later settled in Badaun, India. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha inherited her father’s spiritual legacy and grew up in an environment steeped in Islamic scholarship and Sufi traditions. Her lineage is a remarkable chain of noble ancestors, connecting her to the family of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was a Sayyida, a descendant of Imam Husain, and her family tree includes illustrious names such as Imam Jaafar Sadiq, Imam Musa Kazim, and Imam Ali Raza (May Allah be pleased with them all). Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha’s life was marked by her profound devotion to Allah and her unwavering trust in His mercy. Her son, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, often recounted stories of her spiritual excellence and the miracles that occurred through her prayers. One such incident involved a maid who ran away from her household, leaving her in distress. With no one to assist her, Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha turned to Allah in prayer. She spread her prayer mat, uncovered her head, and recite Durood Sharif (blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) 500 times. She then made a heartfelt supplication, vowing not to cover her head until the maid returned. Miraculously, a voice from the unseen declared that the maid had been apprehended and brought back. Shortly after, the maid was found and returned to her. Another remarkable aspect of her life was her unwavering trust in Allah’s provision. Whenever the household faced scarcity, she would calmly declare, “Today we are Allah’s guests.” Her faith was so strong that her words brought immediate solace to her family. On one occasion, when there was no food in the house, she repeated this phrase, and soon after, a bag of grain was left at their doorstep. The grain lasted for an unusually long time, and her son, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, often recalled how her words filled him with peace and certainty in Allah’s mercy. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha’s spiritual influence extended beyond her household. She was known for her ability to foresee events in her dreams and her prayers were often answered in extraordinary ways. Her son, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, frequently sought her blessings and guidance. He once shared that whenever he faced a difficulty, he would visit her grave and make a request, and his need would be fulfilled within a week Her spiritual stature was so high that even in dreams, she was seen as a source of salvation. Hazrat Khwaja Sayyid Amir Khurd (May Allah have mercy on him) narrated a dream in which his wife saw the Day of Judgment. Amidst the chaos, a man holding a flag called out, “This is the flag of Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha, the mother of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Come under this flag.” She joined under the flag and found peace and safety. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha passed away on the 1st of Jumada al-Thani. Her final moments were filled with profound spiritual significance. On the night of her demise, it was a moonlit night. When her son, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, saw the moon, he went to her as per his habit to congratulate her on the sighting of the moon. She asked him, “Whose feet will you place your head on from now on?” He understood that her time of departure was near. Overcome with emotion, he asked, “O my beloved mother, to whom will you entrust me?” She replied, “I will answer this tomorrow morning.” The next morning, she held his right hand and prayed, “O Allah, I entrust him to You.” With these words, she departed from this world. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya often said that even if his mother had left him an entire house filled with gold and jewels, he would not have been as happy as he was with her final words of entrustment to Allah. Her Urs (death anniversary) is celebrated on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of Jumada al-Awwal, attracting devotees from far and wide who seek her blessings and intercession. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha’s shrine is located in Adhchini village, on the Arvind Marg in Delhi. If you are coming from the All India Medical Institute, it will be on the right side, and if you are coming from Mehrauli, it will be on the left side. Her shrine remains a place of spiritual solace and inspiration for countless devotees. Hazrat Bibi Zulaikha, also known as Mai Sahiba Chishtiya Dehlavi, was a beacon of faith, devotion, and trust in Allah. Her life serves as a timeless example of how unwavering faith and reliance on Allah can transform ordinary lives into extraordinary spiritual journeys. May Allah shower countless blessings upon her and grant us forgiveness through her intercession. References: Rahnuma-e-Mazarat-e-Delhi Auliya-e-Delhi ki Dargahain Bibi Zulekha Urf Mai Sahiba’s Dargah, In Adhchini, Delhi Dargah To Mark Urs Of Nizamuddin Auliya’s Mother ----- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-bibi-zulaikha-paragon-faith-devotion/d/134483 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism