DAILY

YEARLY

"DAILY FUNCTIONS"

All the muandane rituals at the Mazar-e-Aqdas (Holy Shrine) are performed by Khadim-E-Khwaja alone.
The daily functions and ceremonies which are observed round the clock with great punctually of time begin from early in the morning and continue till late in the evening, are as under :

 Three important rites are regularly performed every day per schedule:

KHIDMAT (service routine), twice a day, before Fajar and after Zohar

ROSHNI (lighting ceremony);

KADKA (closing of the main doors of the Shrine).

"KHIDMAT BEFORE FAJAR PRAYER"

About an hour before the 'Salat' of Fajar, Khadims of Khwaja Sahib gather in Begami Dalan with great respect & devotion. This Dalan is towards the East of the tomb and in this Dalan is the main entrance of the Mazar. At the fixed appropriate time all the Khadims stand near the 'Door' entrance. The devotees also follow them and stand with them in a highly honored manner. One of the Khadims recites 'AZAN',

As soon as the Azan ends, the Kalid Bardar opens the lock and then the door. Through this entrance the Khadis enter into the tomb and stand in between the main entrance and a small door which is still closed. Before opening this small door the Kalid Bardar sends Darood and Salam to the Holy Prophet and his descendants and to Huzoor Gharib Nawaz. After this the small door is opended and Khadims enter into the tomb.

After entering into the tomb, they make themselves ready for 'Khidmat'. Some of the stand round the first enceinte of the mazar (Grave) some enter in between the space of two enceintes and some enter in between the space of the Holy Mazar and the second enceinte. Now, they remove the flowers and chadar from Mazar, clean the Mazar and its surroundings, offer new chadar and fresh flowers. As soon as this particular ceremony ends, the Khadims standing in between the two ancients and outside the second enceinte start cleaning the floor with 'Farasha' (it is an special dust remover made of Peacock feathers).

During this ceremony devotees are not permitted to enter the tomb. For them the southern door of the tomb is opened from where they are allowed to enter into the tomb and sit silently in the open space near the tomb of Hazrat Bibi Hafiza Jamal daughter of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz.    When the Khadims finish with the ceremony of Khidmat inside the tomb, then only the devotees are allowed to enter into to the tomb and perform Ziarat of the Mazaar. This ceremony ends before the call of Azaan for Salat of Fajar. This time is important for offering prayers. Prayers made at this time are sure to be granted.

"KHIDMAT AFTER THE ZOHAR PRAYER"

after the end of prayers fresh flowers are presented on the Mazar, if needed, the chadar is also changed, After that the floor of the tomb is cleaned in the traditional way.

Ladies are not permitted to enter the tomb during the entire period of this ceremony.

LIGHTNING OR ROSHNI OR DANKA 

BEFORE MAGRIB PRAYER :

Roshni literally means light, and refers to the ceremony of illuminating the Shrine at dusk with elaborate arrangements and a well-defined procedure. It is held daily in the evening, just  about 20 minutes before Maghrib prayer.

The rituals followed in this ceremony may be summarized as follows: first, a plate/censer (agardani) containing aloe-scented sticks and small round pieces of aloe-wood (‘ud) is brought and placed by a Khadim in the middle of the (Western) outer railings of the Shrine.

At the same time, four large candle-holders (shama dans) are also kept in a corner, nearly facing the agardani. Soon, four Khadims, one by one occupy the vacant place near these shama dans, facing the Shrine indicating that they have reserved the right to lift these shama dans on their heads for the coming ceremony.
 

Outside the Shrine three other Khadims with candles in their hands, start moving towards the Holy Tomb drums are beaten. At this time too, ladies are not permitted to enter into the tomb.

Khadims after touching the candles with the heads of the devotees who keep standing on either side of the way reach inside the tombs with prayers of blessing for devotees on their lips.

They place those candles in the lamps. The unlighted candles are now lighted. The lamps in which the candles are placed are four in number. The Khadims hold those lamps in their hands and keep them above their heads.

One of them recite some Persian verses  in the glory of the Holy Saint.

Roshni 
(In Persian Language)

(Translation)

With the end of these verses  people disperse and the lamps are placed in 4 corners of the Holy Tomb.

"KADKA AFTER ISHA PRAYER"

This last ceremony of the day is popularly known as 'Kadka' and is performed in highly significant and traditional way. This is held after about 1 ½ hour of Isha prayer. After this ceremony the door of the main entrance into the Holy tomb is closed and locked. Karka is sung by the Hereditary qawwals of the shrine daily at night at the time of closing of the doors of Khwaja’s mazar (Shrine).

Karka means folklore (lokdhwani) or verse (pad) or cantos (charan). Its ragni (musical mode) is Gidara/Kidara and tal (musical measure) is jhap, in musical terminology, which is generally sung during moonlit nights.

According to the old tradition, about 20 minutes before closing the main entrance of the Holy Tomb, at a time when about one fifth part of the night had passed, a person loudly calls to ring five and with his voice the clock sounds five times. The Khadims ready to perform this function request the devotees to vacate the tomb, the devotees come out of the tomb and stand on either side of the entrance in a queue. The Khadims then close the other doors from inside and make a search inside the entire tomb to see that there is now no one inside the tomb. After that they start their usual service, at least three Khadims join in this service. They clean the surroundings of the mazar in the same way as they do in the morning and evening Khidmat. They come out of the tomb one by one with the sand and dust of the floor kept in a fine cloth and keep the same in a shelf inside Sandal-Masjid.   

When the third and the last Khadim comes out, a person duly appointed, again calls in a loud voice to ring six bells. The bell sounds six times. As soon as the voice of the sixth bell sounds, the Qawwal, who stands there ready, start reciting karka verses in Bhojpuri and local dialect, composed by Roora Mithu, who was a musician during the reign of Jahangir.start to sing a special song in some old Indian language which is called Kadka.

TRANSLATION

KADKA

Oh ye Moinuddin, truly Lord Protector who graces fortunes.
The cunning (Jogi Ajaipal) tried many a magician’s trick;
52 practices in all, but failed and was himself ultimately vanquished! As at the orders of Pir (Khwaja} flew his wooden sandals in the air;
(and forced Jogi’s) throne to land on earth head bowed with shame.
Oh ye, Moinuddin truly Lord Protector who graces fortunes.
You, the strong pillar for both here and the hereafter (duniya-o din).
The saint (wali) of India, the light (noor) and beloved of Allah (huda), door to Him (Hardawara).
When Ajmer was besieged by the Raja (who also harassed you)
You spread Islam and ended polytheism;
Oh ye, Moinuddin truly Lord Protector who graces fortunes.
Polytheism was ended and Islam spread;
Such a Master of masters (Jagat Guru) whose shrine (darhar) his unique splendor and fame.
Reaches the four corners - North, South, East as well as the West.
Whose Pir’s prayer was accepted at Makkah.
Moinuddin Khwaja, the pillar of din (righteousness).
Cast but a glance and bestow gnosis at me! Oh! Pillar of din, Moinuddin Khwaja!
Khwaja Hassan Dan i.e. Khwaja Moinuddin became bridegroom, (chatar-dulah).
Performing only a single miracle (defeated Ajaipal) and established himself (great);
Oh! Khwaja the pillar of din, Moinuddin Khwaja;
The Great Emperor (Sultan) Oh! Hazrat-i Chishti.
A throne and dominion befit only you;
Mercy on Roora Mithu. Relieve him of all pain of life and heart!
Oh Moinuddin Khwaja, the pillar of din.

"WEEKLY FUNCTION "

"MONTHLY FUNCTION"

JASHN-E-EID-UL-
MILADUN-NABI

CHATTI
SHARIF

On every sixth of Lunar Month the famous and highly inspiring programmes of Fateha Chhatti Sharif is celebrated within Ahata-e-Noor in front of Begami Dalan.
Those who attend this function realize its solemnity and sanctity and also the benefit which they receive. This program which has its own blessings starts from about 8.30 A.M. in the morning and continues about an hour without any programme of Qawali.
The programme beings with recitation of Quran proceeded with recitation of Shijra (spiritual genealogy of Khwaja Saheb) and then with 'SALAM' and ends with Fateha.In the evening in every home of the Khadims this Fateha is organized and prayers are offered for the well being of the devotees.

"ANNUAL FUNCTION"

Throughout the year, several religious, spiritual and historical programmes are organised and observed at the Holy Astana of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz at a large and magnificent scale. These programmes are performed in accordance with Islamic Calendar and are detailed below :

According to the Islamic Calendar the new year commences from 1st of Moharram. This month is known as Moharra-ul-Haram.

SAFAR-UL-MUZAFFAR

28^th – Yom-e-Shahadat Hazat Imam Hassan A.S.

14^th - Annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, first spiritual successor of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is celebrated at his Chilla situated at Daulat Bagh near Ana agar Lake. Fateha is offered in every home of Khadims. The Khadims of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib celebrate this Urs at his tomb at Mehrauli Delhi, all the ceremonies of Urs including 'langar' and ‘Ghilaf’are organised by Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chistia Khudam Khwaja Sahib Syed Zadgan.

RABI-US-SANI

Giarahwin Sharif

14^th - Urs of Hazrat Shah Madar is also celebrated on 14th of this month.

“Bartui mehfil-shahana-mubarak-bashad
Saqia-badao-paimana mubarak bashad”

“Ilahi ta-abd-astana-i-yar-rahe
Yeh-asra-hai-gharibon-ka-barqarar rahe

(Oh God, may this Shrine of the beloved exist till the last day,  may this refuge of the poor remain forever!)

14^th -  The annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Husauddin the grand son of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is celebrated on 14^th of this month by Khadims of Khwaja Sahib at Sambher where his Dargah is situated (a place about 90 K.M. from Ajmer).

19^th -  The annul Urs of Hazrat Bibi Hafiza Jamal, the daughter of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is celebrated on 19th of this month.

25^th to 26^th - The annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Gurdezi, the ancestor of Khadims, who is lying buried near Khwaja Sahibis Begami Dalan on the right side of the main entrance of the tomb is celebrated on 25^th of this month.

26^th to 27^th – JASHN-E-MIRAJ-UN-NABI (S.A.W.):
On 26th of this month after Isha prayers, a grand function in memory of the greatest event of human history, the 'Miraj is held. Lectures are delivered and after lectures all the people keep themselves busy in prayer throughout the night.

SHABAN-UL-MOAZZAM

3^rd to 9^th -  Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin. He is the eldest son of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz. He spend his life in prayers and mediation at village 'Sarwar' about 60 k.m. from Ajmer and breathed his last in the same village. His annual Urs is celebrated from 3^rd to 9^th Shaban. The Khadims of Hazrat Khwaja Sahib celebrate this Urs at his tomb at Sarwar, all the ceremonies of Urs including 'langar' are organised by Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chistia Khudam Khwaja Sahib Syed Zadgan.

 

14^th - The function of Shab-e-Barat is observed in the purely religious tradition as it is observed by the entire Muslim world.

RAMZAN-UL-MUBARAK

The sacred month of Ramzan has its own blessings. Muslim all over the world observe fast, become strict in performance of prayers and devote most of the time in recitation of the Quran and in additional prayers. They also perform acts like payment of charity, feeding of poor and giving of alms. No doubt that every Muslim knows the religious importance of this month, but the Muslim world is not aware of the most important events of Islamic History which took place during this Holy month, as such except at Ajmer no where the functions in memory of those events are held. The details and importance of those functions is given here.

2^nd to 3^rd - The annual anniversary of Khatoon-e-Jannat Hazrat Bibi Fateha the youngest daughter of the Prophet of Islam and the mother of Hazrat Imam Hasan and Hazrat Imam Husain is observed at the Holy Astana of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz in a highly dignified way. Lectures are also delivered on her high spiritual status and her sacrifices for Islam.

10^th – Urs Ummul-Momeneen Hazrat Syedna Tayyaba Tahera Bibi Khatijatul Kubra R.T.A.

17^th Yom-e-Wafat Ummul Momeneen Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqua R.T.A.

17^th Ramzan is the most memorable day of Islamic History. It is the day when the first war between the Islamic forces who were in small number, was fought against the large and a strong army of the 'infidels of Makka. It was the first battle of Righteous under the leadership of the Prophet of Islam against the infidels in which the Rightous came out victorious in a highly miraculous way.
In memory, of the first war of its kind ever fought on this earth for establishment of justice, truth and righteousness by Muslims against the strong and well armed forces of wrong doers, cruel and barbarous people, who could not think of defeat, but faced a shameful defeat at the hands of armless people is celebrated at the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz on a large scale. Lectures are delivered and prayers are offered throughout the night. The author himself delivers lectures on this great Historical event in Juma Masjid after Isha prayer every year.

19^th Yom-e-Fateh Mecca. In the Holy of Ramzan, the 19^th day highly memorable day of the Islamic History. This is the day when Islamic forces conquered Makka , Where therein is the House of Allah, without any blood shed. This conquest resulted into the conquest of the heart and soul of the people of Arabia. It made easy for the people of Arabia to understand the truth of Islam. They all without any force, far or compulsion, accepted Islam and became the leader of all the Nations of the world. The conquest of Makka made the foundation of Islam very strong and opened the door of thousands of other types of victories. This conquest also brought a evolution in human moral and conduct and conquest other human virtues. Therefore, in memory of this illustrious and distinguished vent many programmes are organized at the Dargah of Ajmer at a large scale.

21^st RAMZAN : THE DAY OF MARTYDOM OF HAZAT ALI KARAM ALLAHWAJHO
In his memory a large number of Programme including 'langer' are organised.Lectures are delivered on his love for Islam, his services and sacrifices, his inspiring and illuminating life, his spiritual & temporal status & like that, tributes are paid to that great personality of Islam.

26^th RAMZAN: THE NIGHT OF REVELATION OF QURAN – SHAB-E-QADAR
26^th day of Ramzan and the night thereafter is the most important night. Its blessings are beyond description, it is the night when the Quran was revealed, as such, it is celebrated all over the world by the Muslims.Throughout the night, the Muslims keep themselves busy in recitation of the Quran and other modes of prayer and worship.

SHAWWAL-UL-MUKARRAM

ZIL HIJJA

12^th to 13^th - The annual Urs of HAZRAT KHWAJA ABU SAEED, son of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is celebrated on 4th day of the month of Sai Ghat near his tomb in  Dargah Sharif.
 

 18^th - Amirual Momenn Syedna Hazrat Usman was the third successor of the Prophet of Islam. 18th Zil Hijja is observed as the da of his Martyrdom and tributes are paid to him. Lectures are delivered on his contribution to Islam and Muslims on his spiritual status, on his life and on the services he rendered.
 

28^th - This day reminds us of the great services and sacrifices of that soldier of Islam who in history is known as the conqueror of Egypt, Conqueror of Syria, Conqueror of Iran and above all the Conqueror of Jeru-salem (Baitul Muqaddas) and whose name is Ameerul Momeneen Syedna Hazrat Qmar Farook Radhi Alla Anho. He was the 2nd Successor of the Prophet of Islam. He has rendered such invaluable services which have no parallel in Islamic History.