Every community has its own path and a unique tradition of Sufism
The Guru-disciple tradition of Nizamuddin Aulia and Amir Khusro gave a new direction to Indian Sufi culture. Know about the historical dialogue between them and its deep spiritual meaning.
Nizamuddin Aulia and Amir Khusro
By Justice Markandey KatjuOne day in Delhi the renowned Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Aulia (1238-1325) was standing with his equally renowned disciple Amir Khusro (1253-1325), on the bank of the river Jumna.
The saint saw Hindu worshippers bathing in the Jumna, and remarked (in Persian) :
"Har Qaum raast raahe
Din-e-wa qibla gaahe"
Which means :
"Every people has a pole (qibla) to which to turn "
i.e. : Every sect has its own right path of worship.
Amir Khusro immediately completed the couplet with a verse of his own :
"Man qibla raast kardam
bar samt kaj kulahe"
Which means :
"I, however turn my face
towards the tilted cap "
P S.
Nizamuddin Aulia, who was a sufi saint, used to wear a tilted cap. So what Amir Khusro meant was that he would always follow the sufi path of his guru.
Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman, of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own)
