The following video is a tribute to the great Arab scholar Muin ad-Din Chishti, who is believed to have travelled from Baghdad to India after seeing the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) in a dream. The Prophet is said to have instructed Shaykh Muin ad-Din to take the message of Islam to a place in the wilderness called Ajmer. The Shaykh established a centre there, where he focussed on alleviating the near-chronic poverty of that area. He and his disciples set up a kitchen where vegetarian food was served (out of respect for Hindu sensitivities).
Because of his devotion to the poor, the Shaykh was given the title of Gharib Nawaz (literally "succour to the poor"). His grave at Ajmer has become a place of pilgrimage for people of all faiths. Gharib Nawaz is loved by Indians of all faiths, and his Urs (death anniversary) is attended by millions.
The music in this clip was produced by Allah Rakha Rahman, perhaps India's greates living composer. The music is taken from the soundtrack of the movie Jodha Akbar which deals with the marriage of the Mughal King Akbar to the Rajput Princess Jodha.
Words © 2008 Irfan Yusuf
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