Khanqah - Centers of peace

The Holy Quran orders purification of the self (Tazkiya-e-Nafs) at innumerable places.  Allah Ta’ala says about the reasons of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):

 

He is the One Who sent a (Glorious) Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) among the illiterate people from among themselves who recites to them His Revelations and cleanses and purifies them (outwardly and inwardly) and teaches them the Book and Wisdom. Indeed they were in open error before (his most welcome arrival).  {Surah Juma’a (62:2)}

 

In the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the instruction of the verses of the Holy Quran and its recitation is done in schools/universities, etc. and purifying one’s self is done in the Khanqah (Lit. hospice).  The Auliya established these centers for reforming the beliefs and deeds of the people, to purify the self and for the benefit of one and all.  From these centers, these simple people who sat on a coarse cloth spread on the ground, accomplished such acts that even the kings and rulers could not accomplish even a fraction of that.  Allah Ta’ala says about such people:

 

And who can be more pleasing in speech than one who calls towards Allah and does pious work and says: ‘Surely I am of the obedient servants (of Allah and the Holy Prophet)’?  {Surah Fussilat (41:33)}

 

About the basis of Khanqah and its importance, it is given in the Holy Quran, Surah Ankabut verse number 45.  In the light of this verse, 3 institutions came to be established, Madarsa for profuse recitation of the Holy Quran, Masjid for offering Salaat with congregation and Khanqah for performing the Dhikr of Allah Ta’ala.  In the Khanqah, the detestable characteristics and qualities are wiped away and the Nafs (self) is adorned with all good qualities, which is what is demanded by the Holy Quran.

 

The Khanqah is a place of worship, a school, a place of training, a center for bodily and spiritual cure and a place where everybody is given food for free (Langarkhana) all at once.  In a Khanqah, recitations (Awraad/Wazaif) are practiced, meditation and struggles against the Nafs is performed, worship and asceticism is practiced, good manners and character are taught.  Every act of the disciples is scrutinized and was improved.  In this center of healing, the needy would get both physical and spiritual medicine.  Here without any discrimination, one’s sorrow was shared by all.  Here the message of brotherhood, love and empathy would be given.  The poor, needy and the travelers would be fed, clothed and they would be provided with a bed to rest and all other things necessary.  These are such centers of peace where the broken hearts are mended in such a manner that no trace of their being broken remains. 

 

When Hadhrat Sirajuddin (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) came to Hadhrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) to become his disciple, the Khwaja said: First master the normative sciences.  In the Khanqah of Hadhrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him), arrangements were made for his education.  Within 6 months, he mastered all the normative sciences.  The famous book “Hidayatun Nahw” is his work.

 

In the Khanqah of Hadhrat Khwaja Bandanawaz Gesudaraz (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him), a disciple addressed somebody as “Tu” (which in Urdu is a derogatory term).  The Khwaja admonished him and said: What is this manner of talking?  That person said: But master, this person is a non-Muslim.  The blessed face became red with anger.  He said: But this person is also a human being.

 

Please consider! When the Khwaja did not accept somebody addressing non-Muslims in a derogatory manner, how could he accept hurting them and threatening their life and property?

 

Every Muslim is a model of peace by his/her character, deeds and words.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: A Momin is a center of love.  There is no good in that person who does not love anybody and who is not loved by anybody.