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) had 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 for 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

What did the ruler offer Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya?

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Gifts of land and resources were often symbolic of power and generosity, but Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya's response reflected his detachment from material wealth and his focus on spiritual values.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

The ruler offered Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya the deed of ownership to two gardens and much land, along with 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 the land, offering them to the Shaikh.
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Question: 2

What reason did the Shaikh give for refusing the land deeds?

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Sufi masters often detached themselves from material wealth, prioritizing spiritual development and community service over material possessions.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya refused the land deeds with the reasoning that spiritual masters like him did not engage in such activities. He lamented that he had no interest in acquiring gardens, fields, or lands, and instead, he emphasized his focus on spiritual pursuits rather than material gains.
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Question: 3

How does the response of the Shaikh reflect the Sufi values?

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Sufi values often involve renouncing material attachments, with an emphasis on serving others and focusing on inner spiritual growth.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

The Shaikh’s response reflects key Sufi values, particularly detachment from worldly possessions and the emphasis on spiritual over material pursuits. By refusing the land deeds and choosing to distribute money to the dervishes (Sufi followers), Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya embodied the Sufi ideals of selflessness, humility, and the rejection of material wealth in favor of spiritual wealth. His focus was on the well-being of others, especially the Sufi community, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
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