Syed Muhammed Gaisoo Daraz Banda'nawaz, RA


His name was Abul-Fatah and Gaisoo Draaz and Banda'nawaz are his titles. Among the scholars and theologians he was Sheikh Abul-Fatah Sadruddin Muhammad Dehlavi, but people called him Khawaja Banda'nawaz and Khawaja Gaisoo Draaz.

Parentage: He was the descendant of Hazrat Ali, RA. His forefathers resided in Hirat. One of them came to Dehli and settled down here. Sheikh Muhammad was born here on 4, Rajab, 721 Hijri. His father Syed Yousuf bin Ali, alias Syed Raja was a holy figure and devoted to Hazrat Nizamjddin Aulia, RA. Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq once transferred his capital to Daulatabad ( Devgiri ) and along with him went many scholars, theologians and mystics. His parents also migrated to the place. He was four years at the time Malik-ul-Umar Syed Ibrahim Mustafa, his maternal uncle, was the governor of the new Capitol i.e., Daulatabad.

Childhood and Early Education: From the very beginning his father put him on the right track i.e. to learn and to study and gave him his early education. From his childhood he was inclined towards Religion and spent time in meditation and prayer. He was ten when his father died and his maternal grand father assumed the responsibility of his education and training and taught him initial books but he took lessons on "Misbah" and "Qadoori" from another teacher.

Again in Delhi: On the expiry of her father his mother grew angry with her brother, and returned to Delhi. He was fifteen at the time. He had heard a lot about Hazrat Nizamuddin and Hazrat Nasiruddin Roshan Chiragh Dehlavi from his father and maternal grand father and grew devoted to them. One day he went to say his prayer in the Jama-Masjid of Sultan Qutubuddin, there he saw Hazrat Sheikh Nasiruddin Mahmood Chiragh Dehlavi and pledged Obedience to him on 16, Rajab.

Completion of Outer and intrinsic studies: Under the guidance of Hazrat Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi he engaged himself in prayers and meditation and so much enjoyed them that lie forbade studies and requested his teacher to allow him to do so. Hazrat Nasiruddin strictly denied him permission and instructed him to study with attention Usool-e-Bizoori, Risals Shamsia, Kashaf, Misbah so he restarted the studies under the guidance of renowned teachers. Maulana Syed Sheriffuddin Kaithli, Maulana Taj Uddin Muqaddam and Maulana Qazi Abdul Muqtadir and qualified for the degree at the age of nineteen.

Title Gaisoo Draaz: One day he with other disciples lifted the palanquin bearing Hazrat Nasir Uddin. His long hair stuck into the foot of the palki and pained him severely but he did not disentangle them for love and respect to the teacher. When Hazrat Nasiruddin learnt of the episode, he was overjoyed and recited the Persian couplet;

Har ki mureedae Syed Gaisoo Daraaz shud;
Wallah khilaf nest ki Uoo ishq baaz shud.

(Meaning: "Syed Gaisoo-Draaz has pledged his obedience; there is nothing wrong in it because he has deeply fallen in love)."

After this incidence he was entitled Gaisoo-Draaz.

Books: He was a great writer and scholar on material as well as spiritual subjects. He left many books. It is said, he was the first writer of a magazine on mysticism in Urdu. He wrote about 100 books in Persian and Arabic. Some of them are:

Stay at Gulbarga: Having lived for about 44 years in Delhi he went to Gulbarga, Deccan. He was about eighthy at that time. Firoz Shah Bahmani ruled over the Deccan during this period. He gave him much respect. For a long time he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons, and spiritual training of the people.

Death: This great scholar, mystic, and the wonderful spiritual guide attained an age of 104 years, died on 16 Ziqa'ad 825 Hijri, in Gulbarga and buried there. His tomb is a place of pilgrimage for all the people rich and poor alike.

Quotes: If a Salik prays or meditates for fame, his is an atheist.




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