KHOJA BAHAUDDIN NAKSHBAND

Bahauddin Naqshband is one of the most well-known saints in Islamic world and the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi order. He was born in 1318 AD in Bukhara region, Kogon district, village Qasri Hinduvan. He is famous among people with the names Bahauddin, Bahauddinjan, Khoja Bahauddin, Bahauddin Balagardan, Khojai Buzruk, and Shahi Naqshband. The real name of Bahauddin Naqshbandi is Muhammad. According to some sources his grandfather and father were named Muhammad too. His origin from paternal side reaches Hazrat Ali and from his maternal side reaches Abu Bakr Siddiq.

He is famous with the nickname “naqshbandi (chaser)”, because he was engaged in impressing pattern on velvet with his father in his youth and he was able to bring the love of Allah to people’s hearts as the art of calligraphy. The word “bahauddin” means “the light of religion”.

Bahauddin Naqshband got upbringing of some pirs (saints) during his life. His first pir was Muhammad Bobo Samasi. The old sheikh entrusted upbringing of his young apprentice to one of his assistants Amir Sayyid Kulal. After teaching him all on tariqa he gave him permission. Searching knowledge Bahauddin went to one of well-known representatives of sheikhs of Yassaviya tariqa, sheikh Qusam to Nahshab, that is to present Karshi. He got his education during three months. Bahauddin felt great inclination to this pir, at the same time sheikh Qusam considered him as his son. So because of great respect to his apprentice sheikh Qusam lived in Bukhara till the end of his life and died there. According to the sources Bahauddin got spiritual upbringing from Hadji Abdulkhaliq Gijduvani (1103-1179).

Bahauddin Naqshbandi spent almost all his life in Bukhara and in the villages around it. He lived very poor and by his own labor. He didn't have any slave or servant. He based on theories of Yusuf Hamadani and Abdulkhaliq Gijduvani in developing his theory. The slogan “Dil - ba yor-u, dast - ba kor” (Allah is in the heart and hands are in the work) is the basis of his theory.

All concept of this tariqa is determined by its main slogan “Dil - ba yor-u, dast - ba kor” and other eleven rules. These rules are mentioned as “rashhas”, that is “drops”. The rashhas are founded by Yusuf Hamadani, Abdulkhaliq Gijduvani and Bahauddin Naqshbandi.

KHOJA BAHAUDDIN NAKSHBAND