By Syed Majid Gilani
My maternal grandfather, Marhoom Nizam-ud-Din Chishti, was born in 1916 near Sona Masjid, Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. He belonged to the first generation of educated Kashmiris at a time when formal education was still uncommon. He joined Central Excise and Customs and served the department with distinction, retiring in 1974 as a Sectional Officer. Throughout his life, he remained a quiet embodiment of modesty, humility, and simplicity.
During his years in service, he discharged his official responsibilities with sincerity and devotion. His integrity, honesty, and dedication earned him several appreciation letters and testimonials from the department. Though he was the first in his family to hold a government position, he never allowed professional achievement to overshadow his spiritual inheritance. Instead, he continued to walk faithfully in the footsteps of his paternal grandfather, Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA).
Deeply inclined towards religion and spirituality, he devoted himself to the recitation of the Holy Quran and remained steadfast in Wazaif, Zikr-o-Azkaar, and spiritual discipline. Under the guidance of his learned Mashaikh and Peer-o-Murshid, he pursued the spiritual path with patience and sincerity. Through lifelong devotion and disciplined practice, he attained spiritual insight and gained respected knowledge in this field.
Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA) was a renowned spiritual and religious figure of his time. Historical accounts record that he was chosen by the people to lead a group of Sufis, Ulema, and devoted lovers of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to welcome and receive the holy relic of the Prophet (PBUH) at Hiripora, Shopian, when it arrived in Kashmir from Lahore via the Mughal Road. As an expression of reverence, he walked barefoot to receive the sacred relic.
Initially, the relic was placed at the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahib (RA) at Khwaja Bazar, Srinagar, where Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA) exhibited it for public viewing. Due to the overwhelming gathering of devotees, a tragic stampede occurred, resulting in the loss of several lives. Following this incident, the relic was shifted to Hazratbal. After the passing of Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA), the custodianship was later transferred to the Banday family, related to the eminent Kashmiri businessman Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA).
Historical records further reveal that Hazrat Syed Hameed, son of Hazrat Syed Abdullah, had earlier presented the holy relic, along with its caretaker servant Maidanish, to Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA). While travelling to Kashmir, Hazrat Syed Hameed was arrested in 1692 A.D. in Lahore on the basis of secret intelligence reports. The holy relic and its caretaker were produced before King Aurangzeb in Delhi. The king placed the sacred relic at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti (RA) in Ajmer Sharif, where it remained for only nine days.
King Aurangzeb later saw a dream in which Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) instructed him to send the holy relic to Kashmir. Acting upon this divine direction, the king sent Maidanish towards Kashmir with the relic. Upon reaching Lahore, Maidanish learned that Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA) had passed away. He then carried both the sacred relic and the mortal remains of Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA) to the Kashmir Valley via the Mughal Road.
After retiring from government service in 1974, Marhoom Nizam-ud-Din Chishti moved from the old city to Botshah Mohalla, Lalbazar, on the outskirts of Srinagar. There, he devoted his remaining years to serving people with compassion, empathy, and kindness. He lived a life free from material attachment and remained content with modest means.
He was the sole custodian of his great-grandfather’s shrine, along with sacred scriptures and relics associated with Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA), located at the Chishtia Shrine, Chishti Kocha, Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. Despite receiving a respectable salary during service and a pension thereafter, he never sought to commercialize his spiritual knowledge or custodianship. He lived simply on his pension and served people selflessly.
Even today, his disciples and admirers continue to visit his grave, remembering him with reverence for his humility, piety, and lifelong service to faith and humanity.
Marhoom Nizam-ud-Din Chishti passed away peacefully after a brief illness on the night of January 25–26, 1996, at his residence in Botshah Mohalla, Lalbazar, at the age of eighty. May Almighty Allah grant his pious soul the highest place in Jannah. He rests at Makbara-e-Chishtiyah, Chishti Kocha, Fateh Kadal, Srinagar.
Syed Majid Gilani is an Indian government officer, storyteller, and opinion writer.
He can be contacted at: syedmajid6676@gmail.com
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