Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin Bhikari: Revered In The History Of Islam, Particularly The Qadriya Razviya Sufi Order

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 30 January 2025 Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin Bhikari Was A Revered Spiritual Figure Whose Teachings And Writings Contributed Significantly To Tasawwuf. His Family, Disciples, And Literary Works Left A Lasting Impact On Islamic Thought. His Shrine In Kakori, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Remains A Place Of Spiritual Significance. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin Bhikari was a prominent Sufi saint from Kakori, Uttar Pradesh. 2. He authored important works on Islamic mysticism, jurisprudence, and Tasawwuf. 3. His teachings emphasized piety, contentment, and helping others. 4. His descendants and disciples were influential scholars in their own right. 5. His shrine in Kakori continues to be a spiritual centre. ----- Hazrat Sayyid Muhammad Nizamuddin Shah Bhikhari Badshah (RA) is one of the most notable figures and figures revered in the history of Islam, particularly the Qadriya Razviya Sufi Order. In the town of Kakori, Lucknow district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin (RA) was born in 890 AH (1485 CE). This great scholar of Islam, spiritual leader, and pious character left a legacy which has merged his name into that of many great luminaries of Islam. In order to understand his character and environment, let us look at his early life and ancestry. Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin Shah Bhikhari (RA) born of noble stock. His family lineage traced its ancestry to Hazrat Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, who was the son of Hazrat Ali, the Lion of Allah. This distinguished family lineage comprised 21 generations of pious and learned individuals, comprising numerous notable scholars and Sufi saints. The ancestral homeland of Hazrat Nizamuddin's family was Sahram, a village near Baghdad, Iraq. During the time of Qari Muhammad Siddiq (RA), however, they migrated east due to political adversity and eventually settled in Kakori, Uttar Pradesh. Kakori became a vibrant centre of Islamic education and spirituality under the guidance of this esteemed family. Hazrat Nizamuddin Shah Bhikhari (RA) received his initial education directly under the supervision of his father, Qari Saifuddin (RA), who was a genius scholar and an expert in Qira'at-e-Saba. Under his supervision, Hazrat Nizamuddin Bhikhari studied various subjects relating to the Islamic sciences, including exegesis of the Quran, Hadith studies, Fiqh, and spiritual practices. His education in the Quran and hadith was strongly rooted both in Shariah or Islamic jurisprudence and Tariqa or spiritual path. With this background of both scholarly rigor and spiritual discipline, Hazrat Nizamuddin Bhikhari (RA) finally emerged in his lifetime as a source of guidance for the generations that passed and those yet to come. Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin Shah Bhikari Badshah (RA) became renowned for his spiritual excellence and dedication to the Qadriya Sufi tradition. Known by titles such as ‘Umdatul Asfiya’; (The Pillar of the Pure), ‘Sartaaj-e-Zumratul Asfiya’ (Crown of the Elite Saints), and ‘Rahbar-e-Deen-e-Azam’ (The Great Guide of the Religion), he stood out as an exemplar of Islamic knowledge and spiritual devotion. He was from the Hanafi school of thought, a Hafiz of the Quran, and master of the seven modes of Quranic recitation (Qira'at). He was a true advocate of Shariah and Sunnah, which placed him on the side of Islamic orthodoxy, while his deep association with the Qadriya spiritual tradition enriched his teachings with the light of Tasawwuf (Sufism). Among Hazrat Nizamuddin's remarkable aspects of his spiritual life, it was one thing to deeply feel a sense of closeness to Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam, the founder of the Qadriya Sufi Order. Hazrat Nizamuddin Bhikhari was graced with many visions of Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam. Sometimes these visions came along with other important spiritual personalities like Hazrat Shahabuddin Umar Suharwardy and Hazrat Sheikh Akbar Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi. Once, he had Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (RA) in a dream during Ramadan. Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (RA) brought Hazrat Sheikh Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (RA) before him and said, "He is a devotee of Hazrat Nizamuddin's mission." He saw such a lot of visions, which became a source of spiritual affirmation and guidance for him, and he was further strengthened to serve the Muslim Ummah. It is narrated: Hazrat Makhdoom Sheikh Saadi Siddiqi Chishti of Kakori would spend all his earnings on the same day and would say: “Let nothing remain stale, nor let a dog eat it.” Upon hearing this, someone remarked: “It is better for something stale to remain so that even a dog may benefit from it because saving (resources) can potentially benefit others. Moreover, this practice instils a sense of contentment. For this reason, the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to carry dry pieces of bread in their pockets. Such actions are not contrary to trust in Allah (Tawakkul).” Hazrat Nizamuddin Shah Bhikari (RA) spent his entire life teaching and imparting Islamic knowledge. His house in Kakori became a center of education, and students and seekers of knowledge from other parts of India and beyond flocked to learn from their master. Those students, enriched by the teachings of their master, went back to their countries and disseminated that light of Islam. Besides his scholarly endeavours, Hazrat Nizamuddin Shah Bhikhari (RA) was much concerned with the spiritual well-being of his followers. His instructions were not limited to mere theory; he taught practical application of the principles of Islam in one's life. Nizamuddin Shah Bhikari (RA) was far from being a proud man as far as his servitude was concerned. He was the same as them, despite his towering height as a scholar and Sufi. His selflessness earned him the title of "Bhikhari," which incidentally means "beggar" in Urdu. This title reflects his profound humility that he was a total man far from dependence on Allah. Hazrat Nizamuddin Shah Bhikari Badshah (RA) was a paragon of Islamic scholarship and spirituality. Describing Hazrat Nizamuddin- Badshah (RA), Hazrat Shah Abdul Qadir Badayuni said he was an ardent follower of Shariah and no comparison could be drawn with any known scholar; he was like Imam Azam Abu Hanifa (RA) in piety. Hazrat Nizamuddin (RA) is also known as the 27th Imam and Sheikh of the Qadriya Razviya Sufi Order. His descendants and disciples have carried on his legacy to date, so his teachings remain a source of guidance for generations. Descendants The blessed marriage of Hazrat Sheikh took place in the town of Hargam in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. From this union, six sons and four daughters were born. One of his daughters was married into a Sayyid family in the town of Kashur, and from this marriage was born Sayyid Pir Muhammad. Another daughter was married to Sayyid Jalaluddin, the son of Makhdoom Sheikh Saadi Chishti Siddiqi of Kakori. The third daughter’s marriage took place in Hargam, while the fourth daughter passed away. His sons were highly learned scholars, adorned with piety and devotion. Their blessed names are as follows, Hazrat Sheikh Alam, Hazrat Sheikh Suman, Hazrat Hafiz Sheikh Shihabuddin, also known as Sheikh Sundhan, Hazrat Sheikh Fitna, Hazrat Sheikh Abdullah, Hazrat Sheikh Khwaja Rizwanullah Eminent Disciples Among the prominent disciples of Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin were the following distinguished personalities, Hazrat Sheikh Abdullah bin Makhdoom Sheikh Nizamuddin, Hazrat Sheikh Qazi Ziauddin, also known as Zia, Hazrat Mulla Abdur Rashid Multani, author of Zad-ul-Akhirah, Hazrat Mir Sharafuddin Shikarpuri, Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Khorjavi, Hazrat Sheikh Badiuddin Manakpuri, Hazrat Maulana Nasruddin Sambhali, Hazrat Muhibullah Khairabadi, Hazrat Mirza Shamsuddin Khan Koka, Hazrat Mulla Abdul Karim, grandson of Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin, also known as Shah Bhikari Badshah Writings Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin authored four works: Kitab Minhaj: Related to Islamic jurisprudence and principles, Kitab Ma’arif: Discusses the science of Tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism), Translation and commentary of the book Mulhimat Qadri: Written in Persian during his stay in Kalpi Sharif, as instructed by Hazrat Sayyid Ahmad Baghdadi, Tuhfa-e-Nizamiya: A treatise comprising detailed and well-reasoned answers to three important questions. Demise and Urs Hazrat Sheikh Nizamuddin passed away on the 8th of Dhul-Qa’dah, 981 Hijri (1572 CE), at the age of 51. His blessed shrine is located in the heart of Kakori town, in Mohalla Jhanjhari, Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh, India adjacent to the mausoleum of his revered father. References: Tazkirah-e-Mashayikh Qadiriya Barkatiya Razaviya Kashf-ut-Tawareekh fi Haal-e-Nizamuddin Bhikari Tazkirah-e-Ulama-e-Hind Mashahir Kakori --- 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-bhikari-revered-qadriya-razviya-sufi-order/d/134473 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