Chisht - Chishti Order

Chishti Order

The Chishti order of the Sufis derives its name from Chisht (pronounce: Chesht, hence Cheshti). Chisht is a small town near Herat in Afghanistan. The first one to call himself Chishti was Abu Ishaq Shami. As the name Shami implies he came from Syria or even from Damascus (ash-Sham). He met a Sufi who directed him to settle in Chisht and from that day on he is known as Abu Ishaq Shami Chishti. He died in 940 C.E. in Damascus and lies buried on mount Qasiyun, where later on also Ibn al-‘Arabi was buried. Looking at the date of his death we can say that the Chishtiyya order is one of the oldest, if not the oldest now still existing Sufi order.

The next in the silsila of the Chishtiyya is Khwaja Mawdud Chishti. He had learnt the Qur'an by heart and could recite it very melodiously at the age of seven. Afterwards he learned the other things. When he was only 26 years old his father’s life came to an end. According to the will of his father he became his successor.

He was born around 430 Hijri in the city of Chisht. He initially received education from his father. He memorized Qur'an by the age of 7, and completed his education when he was 16.

His work includes two books Minhaaj ul Arifeen and Khulaasat ul Shariah.

He died around Rajab 527 Hijri and is buried in Chisht.