Childhood of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz “رحمة الله عليه”

Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishty “رحمة الله عليه” was born in 536 AD at Chishty in Sistan, also known as Sajistan, in East Persia.

During this period, the Muslim world faced significant turmoil. Sistan and its surrounding regions were experiencing unprecedented bloodshed and plunder by barbarous Tartars and other rebels.

These intruders took advantage of the weak government of Sultan Sanjar. The lives and honor of the people were in constant danger. The Tartars decimated the followers of the Muslim nation, attacking centers of the 600-year-old Muslim civilization and culture.

Due to these political disturbances in Sistan, Khawaja Ghiyasuddin Hasan, the father of Khwaja Garib Nawaz “رحمة الله عليه”, decided to migrate to Neshapur with his family. Neshapur was one of the most flourishing cities, known for its intellectual and economic activities. It housed the famous “Nizamia” university with a rare collection of literature. The city was a hub of learned Ulama, reputed Sufis, physicians, and artists.

There were rich gardens, canals, and flourishing agricultural fields. One of the suburbs, Rewand, was famous for its grape orchards. Khawaja Ghiyasuddin Hasan bought an orchard with a windmill here to settle down for a peaceful life.

Despite moving to Neshapur for peace, the city was not spared from turmoil. Sultan Sanjar’s prolonged absence while fighting the Tartars led to administrative disintegration. Internally, rebels from the ‘Qarmti’ and ‘Baatini’ sects spread chaos, plundering and killing innocents. These events deeply impacted the young Khawaja Moinuddin “رحمة الله عليه”, who witnessed the destruction and barbarism at an impressionable age.

In spite of all his best efforts to control the invaders and internal rebels, Sultan Sanjar unfortunately could not succeed. He was engulfed in mutual wars with his unfaithful brothers and the rebels. This led to further turmoil, with cities being destroyed and inhabitants, including Ulama and Sufis, being mercilessly murdered. The once-prosperous city of Neshapur was reduced to ruins.