Documented Miracles (Karamat) of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.)

Miracles of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.)

On 27 of March 2002 as 13 of moharram as it is a first month of Islamic calender.

It is traditionally believed that at the time of Maghrib, devotees at the Holy Shrine witnessed a sacred image, referred to as Shabi-e-Mubarak, associated with Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.).

The history of the world’s recognised religious traditions shows that divine guidance and extraordinary signs have often been associated with the lives of Prophets, Messengers, Saints, and other spiritual personalities. Such extraordinary occurrences are traditionally understood as signs that strengthened their mission of conveying the Divine message.

As one of the Awliya of Allah, Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) is traditionally regarded as having been blessed with extraordinary spiritual powers and miracles. His entire life, from his birth until his passing, is described in devotional literature as being filled with remarkable spiritual events. There are numerous accounts of his miracles recorded in traditional sources; only a selection is presented below.

1. The Incident of the Debt

Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) is reported to have said:

“During the time I remained in the company of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.), I never saw him become angry with anyone.”

One day, Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.), accompanied by Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) and a servant named Sheikh Ali, was going out when a man suddenly caught hold of Sheikh Ali’s clothes and began abusing him.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) asked the man the reason for the dispute. The man replied that Sheikh Ali was indebted to him and had failed to repay the money.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) requested the man to release him and assured him that his debt would be repaid. When the man continued insisting, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) spread his shawl on the ground and instructed him to take from it an amount equal to his debt, warning him not to take anything more.

According to the traditional account, the man took an amount greater than what was owed, and immediately his hand became paralysed. He began to weep and begged Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) for forgiveness. Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) forgave him, and his hand recovered. The man then repented and became a disciple of Khwaja Sahib (R.A.).

2. The Transformation of the Dacoits

It is said that once, while Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) was travelling through a forest, he encountered a group of atheist dacoits. They were notorious for robbing travellers and, according to the account, would even kill Muslim travellers.

When the dacoits encountered Khwaja Sahib (R.A.), an extraordinary change came over them. The men who had previously been engaged in robbery and violence became frightened and fell at his feet, pleading for mercy and saying:

“We are your servants. Be kind to us.”

After they sincerely repented, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) instructed them to recite the Kalima. They accepted Islam and were advised to abandon robbery, violence and murder and to live according to the teachings of Allah Almighty.

3. The Prediction Regarding Shamsuddin Altamash

It is narrated that during one of his journeys, Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) was sitting with Hazrat Sheikh Ohuddin Kirmani (R.A.) and Hazrat Sheikh Shahabuddin (R.A.), discussing matters of faith and spirituality.

At that time, a young boy carrying a bow and arrow happened to pass by. Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) looked at him and remarked:

“This boy will become the future ruler of Delhi.”

According to the traditional account, the prediction later came true. The boy grew up to become Sultan Shamsuddin Altamash, who ruled Delhi for approximately twenty-six years.

4. The Return of the Innocent Boy to Life

One day, an elderly woman came to Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) in tears. She told him that the ruler had unjustly caused the death of her innocent son and pleaded with Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) to help her.

Deeply moved by her grief, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) accompanied her, holding his staff in his hand. Several of his followers and disciples also went with him.

When they reached the body of the deceased boy, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) stood silently for some time. He then approached the body, placed his hand upon it and said:

“O boy, if you have been killed unjustly, then by the grace of Allah, arise.”

According to the traditional account, the boy came back to life.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) then explained the spiritual significance of the event, emphasising that a true Faqir should attain such closeness to Allah that his sincere prayers are accepted without delay.

5. The Langar and the Hidden Treasury

Although Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) is traditionally described as having no regular source of income, he established a Langarkhana, where food was provided to the poor and needy.

According to the account, the Langar was so abundant that people from across the city could be fed.

It is said that Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) instructed the person responsible for the Langarkhana to ask for whatever amount of money was required. Every morning, when he came to Khwaja Sahib (R.A.), Khwaja Sahib would unfold a corner of his Musalla and instruct him to take whatever was needed from the hidden treasury.

Despite providing food for so many people, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) himself is traditionally described as living a life of great simplicity. He would observe fasts and break his fast with a small piece of barley bread weighing approximately five Mithqal.

6. Forgiveness of a Would-Be Assassin

It is narrated that a man once approached Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) with the intention of assassinating him. He concealed his intention and outwardly presented himself as a loyal and devoted follower.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.), however, is said to have perceived his hidden intention. He calmly told him:

“I am before you. Do whatever you have come to do.”

The man began trembling and humbly confessed that the intention was not his own; another person had persuaded him to commit the crime.

He took out his dagger, placed it before Khwaja Sahib (R.A.), and asked to be punished.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) replied:

“Revenge is not the practice of the Saints. I forgive you.”

The man fell at the feet of Khwaja Sahib (R.A.), sincerely repented, accepted Islam and became his disciple.

7. Presence at the Kaaba

It is traditionally narrated that during the period Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) stayed in Ajmer, pilgrims returning from Hajj would relate that they had seen Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) performing Tawaf of the Kaaba.

According to the account, however, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) had not travelled to Makkah for Hajj after settling in Ajmer. This incident is therefore presented in the traditional literature as an extraordinary spiritual occurrence.

8. The Miracle Concerning Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.)

It is narrated that Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) was once present in the fort of Delhi in the company of the ruler and several officials.

A woman arrived and sought justice from the ruler. She alleged that a person close to him, whom she identified as Qutb, had wronged her and that she was pregnant as a result.

Those present were shocked by the accusation. Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) was deeply distressed and, unable to respond, turned his heart towards Ajmer and sought the spiritual assistance of his beloved master, Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.).

According to the traditional account, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) immediately appeared before him and asked what had happened. Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) was overcome with emotion and could not speak, while tears flowed from his eyes.

After learning of the accusation, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) turned towards the woman and addressed the unborn child, asking whether the allegation against Qutb Sahib was true.

According to the narration, a voice emerged from the womb, declaring that the accusation was false and that the woman had been sent by enemies of Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) to disgrace him.

The woman eventually admitted that her allegation was false.

Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) then said:

“Only Allah can bestow honour and reputation.”

He subsequently departed. The people present were astonished by the account of his sudden appearance and disappearance, while Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (R.A.) recognised the spiritual assistance of his beloved Pir-o-Murshid.

9. The Prediction of the Ruler’s Death

It is said that one day, one of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz’s (R.A.) disciples came to him while he was engaged in prayer.

After completing his prayers, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) turned towards his disciple. The disciple explained that the ruler of the city had ordered his exile despite his being innocent and that he was deeply troubled.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) remained silent for a while and then said:

“Do not worry. He has already been punished.”

When the disciple returned to the city, he reportedly learned that the ruler had fallen from his horse and died.

10. The Miracle of the Calf at Ana Sagar

One day, Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) was sitting near Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer when a shepherd passed by with several calves.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) asked the shepherd for some milk.

The shepherd, believing that Khwaja Sahib was joking, replied that the animals were calves and could not provide milk.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) smiled and pointed towards a female calf, saying:

“Brother, I will have milk from her.”

The shepherd laughed, but Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) asked him to look again.

According to the traditional account, the calf’s udders had become full of milk. The shepherd milked the calf, and the quantity was said to be sufficient for approximately forty people.

Deeply astonished by what he witnessed, the shepherd fell at the feet of Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) and became his disciple.

11. Respect for His Pir-o-Murshid

It is narrated that one day Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) was sitting among his disciples and delivering spiritual teachings.

Suddenly, he looked towards his right and stood up respectfully. After sitting down, he again looked in the same direction and stood up.

This happened several times.

When the gathering ended and everyone had departed, one of his servants respectfully asked him why he had repeatedly stood up while looking towards the same direction.

Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) replied:

“The Mazar of my Pir-o-Murshid is situated in that direction. Whenever I look towards it, the Mazar appears before my eyes, and therefore I stand in respect.”

12. The Four Barley Rotis

It is narrated that once an assembly of great Saints was gathered together, and the spiritual personalities present agreed to demonstrate their extraordinary spiritual gifts.

Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (R.A.) is said to have turned over his Musalla and taken out pieces of gold. He gave them to a Dervish and instructed him to purchase sweets for everyone present.

Hazrat Sheikh Ohuddin Kirmani (R.A.) is also said to have touched a piece of wood, upon which it transformed into gold.

When Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (R.A.) asked Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) to demonstrate his spiritual gift, Khwaja Sahib (R.A.) perceived through Divine inspiration that one of the people present was hungry but was too modest to express his need.

Instead of displaying a worldly miracle, Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) took out four barley rotis and quietly placed them before the hungry person.

This account reflects the traditional understanding that the greatest spiritual virtue lies not merely in extraordinary signs, but in recognising the needs of others, serving humanity and caring for the poor and needy.