Comprehension

Declining a Royal Gift

This excerpt from a Sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s hospice in 1313:

I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) has the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s) feet... At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens and land. The master...had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented: “What have I to do with gardens and fields and lands?... None of .... our spiritual masters had engaged in such activity.”

Then he told an appropriate story: “.... Sultan Ghiyasuddin, who at that time was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the dervishes (Sufis), and the land of his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said: Give me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons.”

Question: 1

Mention the offering by the local ruler to the Sufi saint Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.

Show Hint

The ruler's offering comprised three distinct parts: 1. Ownership deeds for two gardens, 2. A substantial plot of land, and 3. Tools and provisions required for their physical maintence.

Updated On: Jul 28, 2026

Show Solution

Solution and Explanation

Was this answer helpful?

Question: 2

What was the reaction of the Sufi saint to the offerings?

Show Hint

The Chishti Sufi masters adhered strictly to a life of voluntary poverty (faqr) and independence. They rejected permanent landed estates to avoid becoming entangled in local administration or becoming dependent on royal courts.

Updated On: Jul 28, 2026

Show Solution

Solution and Explanation

Was this answer helpful?

Question: 3

Why did the Sufi saint accept money? Explain.

Show Hint

While land deeds bound the spiritual master to state bureaucracy and worldly property magement, cash dotions (futuh) allowed for immediate distribution to the poor, maintaining the khanqah's self-sacrificing lifestyle.

Updated On: Jul 28, 2026

Show Solution