Khawaja Qutabud-Din Bakhtiar Kaki (R.A)
One of the most distinguished sufi in the Chishtia Order, he was the chief of Chishti saints in Delhi. He was born in Ush then an important commercial town. Qutabud Din was an infant when his fateh Kamalud Din Ahmad Musa died, and his noble mother became totally responsible for the upbringing of her orphan son. Learning half the Quran by heart under Aba Hafs, he committed be memory the remaining 15 parts after he had settled in Delhi. As he grew in years. Qutabud Din Bakhtiar became increasingly devoted to Ibadaat and meditation. His mother arranged his marriage, left for Baghdad where he become murid of Hazrat Khawaja Moinud Din Chishti. After his pir’s departure from Baghdad, Qutabuddin Bakhtiar also left the place, traveled throught was patron saint of Multan with whom Qutabuddin Bakhtiar had cordial relations. During Qutab Sahib’s stay in Multan, the city was designed by the Mongol hordes. Nashiruddin Qabacha then rule of Multan sought Khawaja Qutabuddin’s help against the enemy. Giving him an arrow, the Khawaja told him to shoot the arrow blindly into the enemy’s camp. Qabacha obeyed, and the following day the Mongol army retreated. He did not accede to Qabacha’s request for his permanent stay in Multan and sometime after 1221 C.E., Khawaja Qutubuddin left Multan for Dehli. Khawaja Qutab promoted and established the Chishtia silsila with zeal, energy and endeavour in Delhi and its surrounding areas where eminent ulema and prestigious divines had settled after migration front the areas devastated by the Mongols.
Sultan Shamsuddin Altitmush offered high office of Shaikhal Islam to Khawaja Qutabuddin, which he refused to accept. On his recommendation Najmuddin Sughra was given the post of Shailhul Islam. After some time Najmuddin became jealous of Khawaja Sahibs’ popularity among the masses and used the latter’s practice of gaining spiritual ecstasy through samaa as a pretext to incite the Capital’s Ulema against Khawaja Qutab. Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti got scent of Jajmuddin mischief and rushed to Dehli to investigate into the confrontation, Najamuddin Sughra did not call on Khawaja Moinuddin as was traditional. Khawaja Moinuddin as was traditional. Khawaja Moinuddin called at Najmuddin’s house and upbraided him for this rudeness and misdemeanor. He asked Khawaja Qutab besides hundreds of common people were so upset at the Qutab departure from Delhi that the was followed, and the dust on the road where he had passed was collected by rumeous devotees as a relic. Khawaja Moinuddin was so moved at such a spontaneous love and high respect for his murid that the urged him to return back to Delhi.
The murids were constantly advised by Qutab Sahib to devote energies for social welfare works and assist the needy in a selfless way. Once Baba Fariduddin sought his advice regarding the writing of amulets (Taweez) for people’s benefit. The Qutab replied that the fulfillment of desires belonged to no-one; the Taweez inscribed with Allah’s Attributes could be written and given to the soliciting persons.
The Shamsi Hauz in Delhi, surviving to this day, is a monumental relic of Khawaja Qutab’s sanctity and super natural power. Potable water was in short supply in the newly founded capital which was a matte of great concern to the Sultan. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) appeared in dream to both the Khawaja and the Sultan indicating a particular spot upon which was imprinted the hoop-mark of the Prophet’s horse seen in the dream. A tank was dug up at that site and lo the water gushed out from underground source. It was named as Hauz-I-Shamsi. Khawaja became known as ‘Kaki’ as he lived on miraculously received breads alone. The demise fo Hadrat Qutab Kaki was an event of great significance to the Sufis. The Khawaja graced with his presence the Mehfil-I-Samaa at eh Khnaqah of Shaikh Ali Sijzi. When the Qawwal recited the following verse, the Khawaja was seized with ecstasy;
“The martyrs of the dagger of tasleem (surrender to Allah’s will)
Each moment get a new life form the Unseen World.”
He was rushed home in state of trance. Regaining consciousness, the Khawaja desired the verse to be repeated each time he regained consciousness which always occurred at the time of obligatory prayers. He then lapsed back into an ecstatic state. On the fifth night, 14 Rabiul Awwal 633 A.H. (27th Novemeber 1235 C.E.) he departed to his heavenly abode. He lies buried in Mehroli (near the Qutab Minar), a suburb of present day Delhi.
