Chisti in Brief:

An element that is very distinctly ‘Chistiya’ is the Sama, the ceremony of poetry, song and music used to enhance devotion and bring on a mystical experience for all present in the gathering. Moved by the music, the words, the trance-like state of the dervishes and the singers, the average devotee too gets a taste of the experience of the divine union.

Another important practice is the ‘Zikr’Allah : the recitation of the names of the Almighty in the right way and at the right time. (These are specific as per the Spiritual Teacher, namely, Shaykh)

Almost all Sufi orders prescribe a period of seclusion of ‘Chilla’ which is a period of forty days and yes, the Chisti Tariq follows the Chilla practice meticulously as a means of inner purification through reflective isolation.

Simplicity of Devotion :

Any kind of superiority complex due to possession of knowledge or attainment of spiritual standing is strictly frowned upon by the Order. Since the very early days of the Tariqa, involvement of the Shaykhs in any kind of politics or power has been strictly forbidden. Vice-versa, the disciple is treated as just that: a disciple. Irrespective of his social or political status.

Dedication and Discipline :

All-encompassing love being the primary motto of being a part of this Order, a disciple is expected to embrace service to humanity as his primary goal in life. If on the one hand, the disciple practices ‘love’ of his Shaykh and God, he / she also practices the love ‘from’ God:  divine love that is all compassionate and forgiving.

Prayer of the Chisti

The prayer of the Chisti practitioner consists of ‘selfless service’ towards the community, here meaning entire humanity. One amongst them is feeding the hungry. The beautiful concept of the ‘Langar’ defines most Chisti dargahs, especially Ajmeer Sharif where there is the ‘Deg’ of cooking vessel which is used to feed large gatherings of people, everyday. An ongoing tradition that has been followed for many hundreds of years now.

The Concept of ‘Adaab’, courtesy

A worthy disciple is one who follows the customs of his spiritual Master. And it starts with the practice with this Master first. Foremost being courtesy. How to speak, when to speak, how to sit, stand, pray, receive and serve guests, etc. It also extends to how you look, gaze with piety at the Walis, in short doing everything with grace.

Self-discipline through renunciation:

Restraining the senses in such a way that nothing is more important than one’s nearness to God. It includes fasting, refraining from useless pastimes, in short, the lust of the world.

Quoting from ajmergaibnawaz.com, the essence of the teachings of Khwaja Sahib are as below :

1)      Magnanimity if the river

2)      Kindness of the Sun

3)      Humility of the Earth

How beautifully summed, the aspects of three of the five elements: Water, Fire and Earth!

To voluntarily embrace poverty, hunger, not wail in times of grief and show friendliness even to the opponent are some of the fine teachings of Khwaja Garib e Nawaz.

And all the while, feeding the hungry, redressing the aggrieved and helping the distressed, performing prescribed prayers while burning in the Love of Allah.

Here, I take the liberty to share what my Pir has blessed me with: The ability to die before death, namely, the death of the Ego, the ‘I’. Most Chisti Shaykhs also train the disciple to lose themselves and live in the Almighty, so much, that what remains of them is divine or becomes divine. This prepares a Mureed (initiated disciple) to be ever prepared to face Death fearlessly.

To be continued