Khawaja Qutabud-Din Bakhtiar Kaki (R.A) - Sufism Biographies

One of the most distinguished sufi in the Chishtia Order, he was the
chief of Chishti saintsin 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 noblemother 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, theKhawaja
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 hispermanent stay in Multan and
sometime after 1221 C.E., Khawaja Qutubuddin left Multan for Dehli.
Khawaja Qutabpromoted 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. KhawajaMoinuddin 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 wasso 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 assistthe 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 thehoop-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 presencethe 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.