7.Baha-ud-din Naqshband Complex

7.Baha-ud-din Naqshband Complex

7 saints of Bukhara

 Bukhara is the birthplace of the seven great Sufis of the Nakshbandi order. The great representatives of Sufism lived here, led religious and social life, which contributed to the formation and prosperity of the fertile Bukhara, to the education of spirituality, raising the emotional spirit. The Muslim sanctuaries, the burial places of Sufi saints can be found here.Most of the pilgrims of Bukhara begin their journey with a blessed visit to the mausoleum of Khoja Abdalkhalik al Gijduvani, a spiritual mentor who paved the path of Nakshbandi teachings. Abdulkhalik al Gijduvani is connected with the spiritual parts of the tenth generation of the prophet. The terrace of the mausoleum with ten columns and props is a symbol of the mentioned dynasty.In the time of Khoja Abdalkhalik al Gijduvani, the mausoleum was a “chillahona”, where people came to pray during forty-day of sweltering heat. The Holy place of prayer then became a cherished place of worship.

    This sacred place was abandoned for a long time. It took several generations before the mausoleum acquire today’s exemplary appearance. Now the “mausoleum of Abdalkhalik al Gijduvani”, as the part of the ancient East, is the connection of the earth and the sky.The mausoleum of Khaji Mukhammad Arif al-Rivgari is the burial place of Murshid Khaji Mukhammad Arif Rivgari. He was born in the village of Revgar in the middle of the XII century. He was a disciple of the great Murshid Abdulkhalik Gijduvani. After the death of the great teacher, he received permission to be a spiritual mentor for others. For the rest of his life, he led his religious activities. He liked to pray Zikr aloud. There is a legend that Khaji Arif lived for 150 years. He was buried in the village of Shafirkan in the Bukhara region.The mausoleum of Khaji Makhmud Anjir-Fagnavi is the burial place of the great Sufi spiritual master. He was born near the town of Vabkent. At the beginning of his career, he was a craftsman and carpenter. After completing his apprenticeship, he became the Murshid. Makhmud Indir Fagnavi was the first to pray Zikr loudly, believing that “people asleep must wake up”. He was buried in his native village of Anjirbog.The Khaji Ali Ramitani memorial complex is the burial place of the most famous spiritual master of the Khajagan Sufi School. The people called the Sufi “Azizkhon” – the venerable Sheikh. He was born at the end of the XII century in the city of Ramitan. He was professionally engaged in weaving throughout his life. He was a disciple of Makhmud Fagnavi. Ali Ramitani managed the impossible – he converted the Mongols to the Islamic faith. He helped to restore scattered lands after the Mongol invasion, and was engaged in healing. The legend says that the Sufi was able to read people’s thoughts and answer a question before it was asked. Throughout his long and righteous life, he had many disciples, including his sons. He bequeathed his younger son, Khaj Ibrakhim, to continue his teaching.

    The memorial complex of Khaja Makhammad Babai Sammasi is the burial place of the famous Sufi, a follower of Khaji Ali Ramitani. Khaja Sammasi made an invaluable contribution to the development of Sufism, predicted the birth of a great person, Bakhautdin Mukhammad Nakshbandi. The legend says that once passing by the native village of Bakhautdin Kasri in Khinduwan, the mystery was dawned up. He said that the greatest son of Sufism and enlightenment will be born in this place, and the place will be called “the village of the enlightened”.The teacher died at the age of 95 in 1354. The Holy burial place is located in the village of Simmas, Romitan district of Bukhara region. The mausoleum, the mosque, the well and the beautiful garden were built here – all that this non-trivial man personified with his teachings.The Khajj Sayyid Amir Kulal Bukhari memorial complex is the burial place of Sayyid Amir Kulal. During his life he had the nickname Kalon, which meant “Great”. He was professionally engaged in pottery. He was famous long before he became the Great teacher.

    He was a well-known and talented potter.Sayyid Amir Kulal was a spiritual authority and had more than a hundred followers, including Bakhautdin Mukhammad Nakshbandi. He acquainted Nakshbandi with the basics of Sufism and the traditions of the mystical way of Khajagan, as well as with the correct reading of Zikr.It is believed that the teacher was acquainted with the great disciple by Sheikh Khaja Sammasi, who already understood that he entrusted the most valuable and expensive spiritual son. Sayyid Amir Kulal was buried in 1370 in his native village of Sukhar.Bakhautdin Nakshbandi complex (XVI century) is a unique memorial complex located 12 km from Bukhara. The complex was built in honor of the famous “Teacher of Sufism” Bakhautdin Nakshbandi. There is a museum in the complex of Bakhautdin Nakshbandi that features interesting exhibits and information related to the life and work of this remarkable man.

Baha-ud-din Naqshband Complex. Bukhara, UzbekistanAt a distance of 12 km from Bukhara there is a memorial complex of the Islamic saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshband (also spelled Bakhautdin Nakshbandi), the famous Asian philosopher and Sufi. The complex is a Muslim shrine where pilgrims from all the parts of the Islamic world come. Once the village Kasri Orifon was located at the site of the complex. It was famous for its pagan holidays and ancient customs… Baha-ud-Din Naqshband lived in 1318 - 1389. He founded a Sufi order, which was later named Naqshbandi (also spelled Naqshbandiyyah, Naksibendi, Naksbandi, Nakshbandi) after him. His teachings became a polestar for many Asian people of the time and still remains topical today. The principle Baha-ud-Din Naqshband followed all his life is quite simple: ‘let the heart be with God and the hands be with work.’ It is also reflected in the symbol of the order - a heart with the word Allah inside. 

Baha-ud-Din Naqshband was the spiritual adviser of the great Tamerlane and taught him to be modest, decent and kind.The famous Sufi made 32 hajj pilgrimages to Mecca, and today his mausoleum is also a Central Asian ‘Mecca’. They believe that if one walks to the mausoleum from Bukhara three times, it will equal one hajj. Believers from many Muslim countries got together at the site to pray, asking forgiveness for their sins and asking for fulfillment of their wishes.Baha-ud-din Naqshband Complex. Bukhara, UzbekistanAbdulaziz-Khan ordered to build a sepulcher over the grave of the saint and other structures around it in 1544. The construction of complex lasted almost four centuries. The main building has a rectangular inner yard with the sheikh’s mausoleum and a mosque built in the 19th c. A little further there was an iwan (a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open) with wooden pillars where the Shaybanids mausoleum was. The major domed building is the khanaka (also spelled khanqah, khaniqah, khanqa, khaneqa, khanegah or khaneqah; khanaka is a Sufi hospice and monastery) of Abdulaziz-Khan.

In the 1980s the whole complex was thoroughly restored. It consists of a madrasah, a minaret and two mosques. In the inner yard with a hauz pool stands the mausoleum of the saint. There is a lying trunk of a mulberry tree, which is believed to have been grown from Baha-ud-Din Naqshband’s staff. They say that if one crawls under the trunk with a wish made, it will certainly be fulfilled. There is also a necropolis, including sepulchers and tombs of some members of some past ruling dynasties.The complex has a museum where you can find a lot of information on Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, his order and Sufism. There are Sufi clothes, books, cauldrons they used for cooking and many other interesting exhibits in the museum.Almost everyone who has visited the complex usually notes the unique feeling of serenity and harmony he or she enjoyed there.

The Memorial Complex of Khoja Bakhouddin Naqshbandi is one of the most important Muslim shrines. Every self-respecting Muslim knows and reveres this name. The great theologian of the XIV century, founder of the Sufi Order "Naqshbandia" was buried 12 km from Bukhara in his native village of Kasri Orifon. Some time ago there was the pagan temple of the site of current tomb of Naqshbandi. Naqshbandi was the spiritual teacher of Amir Temur and made hajj to Mekka 32 times. He appealed people to be modest and rejected the luxury. His philosophy was based on the principle: "Dil ba joru, dast ba kor" ("The heart - with the God, hands at work").The main building of the complex is the khanqah. Before the frontal of the mosque there is the minaret and small madrassah. To the west from dahma, in separate courtyard there is the large necropolis, where Naqshbandi is buried. Graves of his mother and his teacher - Said Mir Kulol, are situated not far from his grave.The Mausoleum of Saint Bakhouddin Naqshbandi is considered as the Central Asian Mekka. Believers from different muslim countries come here to ask for the fulfilment of wishes and healing. The complex also includes the museum, which keeps the true information about Sufi and Sufism: Sufi wearing, books and other expositions.

Bahouddin Naqshbandi - the Founder of the Naqshbandiya OrderMuhammad ibn Muhammad Bahouddin Naqshbandi al-Bukhari (also known as Khoja Bahouddin Balogardon, Khojai Buzruk, Shokhi Naqshband) is a prominent saint (avlie) and the founder of the Naqshbandiya Order. He was born and died in Kasri Khinduvon village near Kagan (1318-1389) which later was re-named for Kasri Orifon in honor of Bahouddin Naqshbandi. He made hadj to Mecca twice.His biography is almost unknown because he prohibited his disciples to chronicle his life and activity. He was thought to be Seyid – a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed. He was born in a craftsman’s family. His father was a weaver and chaser (Naqshband). But it was his grandfather who played an important role in his life. He was well familiar with Sufis and paid much attention to the religious sciences. Bahouddin Naqshbandi was taught by famous counselors of that time. His first teacher was Muhammad Bobo Samosiy (1340-1345), the fifth Pir (counselor) of Bukhara. After his death Naqshbandi was taught by one of the famous leaders of the “Hojagon” Order Said Amir Kulola (appr 1288 -1371), the six Pir of Bukhara who familiarized him with the Abdulholik Gijduvani’s teachings (1103-1179). Gijduvani was the founder the “Hojagon” Order, one of the first Pirs of Bukhara; he propagated to obey the rules of the Shariah and prescriptions of Prophet Muhammad. He devoted his life to a true Allah’s path and founded 8 rules (rakhsha) in his Order.

Naqshabandi founded his Order based on these eight Order rules, having added another three additional rules. He was a supporter of simplicity treating negatively religiosity, loud zikr and forty-day fasting. The main principle of his teaching was “Dil ba eru dast ba kor” – “Heart with Allah, hands in work”. According to his teaching, the comprehension of Allah takes place though the soul while the hand should always be busy with work. The Order symbol was a heart with the word Allah inside it.Uzbekistan widely celebrated the 675 anniversary of Bahouddin Naqshbandi in 1993. His tomb with the complex adjacent to it became a place of pilgrimage in Uzbekistan. The Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan keeps 195 scientific papers and books about Bahouddin Naqshbandi.If you sow the seed of good it will grow into seven ears and then yield seven hundred good deeds. Nakhshbandi Northeast of Bukhara in the village of Kasri Orifon is one of Sufism's more important shrines (working hours 8am-7pm), the birthplace and the tomb of Khazreti Mohammed Bakhauddin (Baha-al-din, Uzbek: Bahovuddin) Nakhshbandi (1318-1389), the founder of the most influential of many ancient Sufi orders in Central Asia, and Bukhara's unofficial 'patron saint'.

Bakhauddin (The Decoration of Religion) was born a few kilometres from the present complex in the town of Kasri Orifon into a family of metalworkers, from where he took the name Nakhshbandi (Engraver of Metals). He came under the early influence of Abdul Khaliq Gijduvani and as a married man spent 12 years in the employ of Tamerlane's nephew Khalil Sultan after which, according to the Encyclopedia of Islam, he devoted himself to "the care of animals for seven years and road-mending for another seven". This last vocation is not quite as bizarre as it may sound, for Nakhshbandi espoused a life of hard work, self-reliance and modesty, encouraging all his pupils to learn a trade as he himself had done. His 11 principles of conduct were based on a retreat from authority, spiritual purity and a rejection of ostentation or ceremony, principles that were stretched to their limit by the Nakhshbandi brotherhood's early rejection of communism in the 1920s and subsequent tacit support for the basmachi revolt.Entering the complex through the main, east entrance, you'll walk towards a 16th century khanaka covered by a huge dome, now a Juma (Friday) mosque. In front of it is a precariously leaning minaret. Two more mosques surround Bakhautdin's tomb in the courtyard to the left. The lovingly restored aivan here is one of the country's most beautiful.The tomb itself is a simple 2m-high block, protected by a horse-mane talisman hanging from a post. Tradition says that it is auspicious to complete three anticlockwise circumambulations of the tomb. Back in the main courtyard you'll spot more locals walking anticlockwise around a petrified tree. Legend has it that this tree sprouted where Bakhautdin stuck his staff, upon returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca. He then added drops of holy water from Mecca to a nearby well. Faucets near the minaret continue to supply this well's water to pilgrims, who splash their faces with it and bring it home by the jugful for good luck.

North of the complex a long path leads to the tomb of Bakhautdin's mother, also a place of pilgrimage. The shrine itself is steeped in superstition. Pilgrims circle and kiss and pray in front of Nakhshbandi's tombstone, tie rags, money and wishes around the tree said to have sprouted from his staff and cook offerings and sacrifices in the specially-built mass kitchens after these wishes have been granted. The site is also permeated with the holy Sufic number seven; in the seventh month the saint came into the world, in his seventh year he knew the Koran by heart and at the age of 70 he breathed his last. In the nearby museum a display of seven lambskins refers to the traditional seven tenge fee to the site and in Central Asian funerals male friends of the deceased jostle to carry the coffin for the expected seven steps.The spiritual focus of any visit is the large mazaar encasing the black tombstone of the saint, traditionally known as the Stone of Desire, and the 20 graves of past pilgrims that include the Khans Abdul Aziz and Abdullah II. The holy courtyard is enclosed by the Abu'l Hakim Koshbegi Mosque (1720), now used as a women's mosque, and the Muzaffar Khan Mosque, built 150 years later. The architectural centre of the complex is the huge khanagha built in the same year as the tomb (1544) by the Uzbek chief Abdul Aziz Khan; a cool, cubed building equipped with 48 hujra cells and crowned by a huge 30-metre high dome.

In 1993, on the 675th anniversary of Nakhshbandi's birth, the complex was restored and revamped with Turkish and Pakistani money (including a personal donation of US$45,000 from ex-President Ozal of Turkey) and unveiled in a great show of international Muslim brotherhood. The event marked not only the reconnection of Uzbekistan with the international Muslim community, but also formalized the rebirth of official religion, a process that had started under perestroika and will continue to underscore the new Islamic orientation of an independent Central Asia. Further renovations took place in 2003 to celebrate the 685th anniversary of Nakhshbandi's birth. Timurids time the Order had a major impact on both the rulers and the masses. The members of this fraternity was an outstanding Persian poet Jami and the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi.“Silsila”, it is a chain of succession (the Arabic word "silsila" - a chain line) of Naqshbandi Tariqah (the teachings) different branches back to the caliphs Abu Bakr and Ali. The presence of the chain is necessary for any Tariqa as is one indication of the true line of succession to the teachers. In a true Silsilah transmitted divine grace - "barracka." Naqshbandi is tarikats, sticking creed of "quiet zikr". Naqshbandi’s zikr, which together make the Sufis called "Hatmi Khodjagon." The teaching fraternity amounted to 11 ethical principles, eight of which were inherited from the Sufi school Khodjagon, and three developed by the Naqshbandi.According to legend, a young man Bakhouddin was a weaver, specializing in the manufacture of silk with gold embroidery. It is believed that before the advent of Islam, located on the site of a pagan temple complex is associated with a holiday "red rose".Bahauddin Naqshbandi memorial complex built up over five centuries. The ensemble took to the XVI century, form of a combination of the necropolis of ceremonial building. In 1544 by Abdul Aziz Khan Naqshbandi’s disposal has been issued in the form of ground vault – “dakhma” with marble carved railing. A little further was built “khanaka” - the largest of the known buildings such appointment (42.5 m * 38 m). Adoration of the holy tomb of Sheikh equated Hajj to Mecca.

Other attractions of complex are the Painted Muzaffar Khan (XVI c.) and Hakim Kushbegi Mosques and picturesque four-arch "sakkohona" (thirst quencher room). In front of a Kushbegi mosque rises minaret and small madrasas. To the west is a vast necropolis “dakhma” - vault of Bukhara rulers.Of particular interest is a picturesque arch “sakkohona”. Sakkohona – in the eastern traditions may be a small building, a niche in the wall, or even just a ledge where there is a faucet, fountain or a pitcher who is usually mounted behind the iron bars. Passers-by can not only quench your thirst here, but also ask about the performance of pious wishes, leaving here a small gift (as a pledge of wish-fulfillment).On the waterfront is the trunk of a dry mulberry ritual tree. Many famous people, which mentions the story of Bukhara, were buried here, in the vast cemetery at west of the “dakhma”.During the Soviet period, the shrine was in a state of desolation.Since independence of Uzbekistan in honor of the 675th anniversary of Bahauddin Naqshband in 1993, the shrine was restored. On the initiative of Uzbek President Islam Karimov in 2003 were a lot of work on the improvement of the complex. It was built "darvazahana" (input space) with a high dome. Were recreated richly decorated “ayvans” - terraces. The extensive gardens combined into a single composition of Hazrat Bahauddin sacred burial and burial place of his mother. There was also restored Dahmai Shohon (Necropolis of the Rulers)

Spiritality expressive architectural structures, silence and solitude of the ensemble causes the pursuit of knowing God.Three days after his birth, Baha al-Din was adopted as a spiritual son by Baba Mohammad Sammasi, a master of the Khwajagan, a Sufi order founded by Yusuf Hamadani (died 1140). It was Baha al-Din's paternal grandfather who brought him to Sammasi, as he was a murid (novice) of the latter. Sammasi later entrusted Baha al-Din's training to his distinguished student Amir Kulal.Early texts do not mention how Baha al-Din gained the nickname "Naqshband", nor its meaning. An agreement was later partly reached that it referred to the naqsh (imprint) of the name of Allah that is firm in the heart through constant and continuous prayer. In Bukhara, Baha al-Din more practically became its patron saint and was commonly referred to as "Khwaja Bala-gardan" by its inhabitants. Amongst the members of the present-day Naqshbandi order, particularly in Turkey, Baha al-Din is known as "Shah-e Naqshband."Some historians agree that the original Naqshbandi had a particularly Iranian or Khurasanian attitude, which according to H. Algar / Encyclopædia Iranica is supported by the fact that Baha al-Din was surrounded by a company of urban dwellers that mostly spoke Tajik. However, the Naqshbandi had also been influenced by Turkic Sufi order, the Yasawiyya, and thus had a Turkic component as well. Three generations after Baha al-Din's death, the Naqshbandi started receiving support among the Turkic inhabitants of Central Asia, thus displaying an all-inclusive appeal.Baha al-Din died on 2 March 1389 in Qasr-i Hinduvan, which was then renamed Qasr-i Arifan out of respect to him.Bukhari (1314-1389) was born in Bukhara, in the village of Kasri Orifon ("Castle of known the divine truth"). Sheikh’s Mother - Bibi Orifa was kind of the "Sayid", ie the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. His father was a craftsman - chaser, why Sheikh earned the nickname "Naqshband" (Chaser).

  

According to legend, before the birth of Bahauddin Naqshband, is one of the Seven Saints “Peers” (Teachers) of Sufism - Khoja Muhammad Boboi Samosi felt imminent birth of a great man and asked the sheikh of the future education to other feasts of the Seven Peers - Syed Amir Kulol. In early childhood, Sheikh Bakhouddin received spiritual initiation from Abdulkholiq Gijduvani Hodge, wich dead for 150 years before the birth of Naqshbandi, and who came to him in a dream and told him to become a disciple of Sheikh Amir Kulol. Under the guidance of their mentors Boboi Samosi and Amir Kulol, the young Bakhouddin understands the teachings of truth. At age 7 years he knows by heart the Koran.He continued his studies with Arif Diggarani, with whom he spends seven months. He then spent 12 years in the community with Sufi teachers Qosim Sheikh and Khalil-ata from Yasawia Order. Soon he returned to his native village, where he created own Sufi school. He left home in Bukhara only three times: twice to perform the Hajj, and a third time to visit Herat (Afghanistan).

Starting from the XV century, Naqshbandi brotherhood has become one of the most widespread Sufi orders in the world. Naqshbandi Sufi community rejected the ostentatious asceticism and is actively engaged in economic activities. Naqshbandi is not called upon his followers to the hermit, on the contrary, it obliges them to be diligent farmers, artisans, traders, hold public office. Order peacefully coexisted with official Islam. He has said: "Our way to God - two-way communication, but not a hermit." However, he disapproved of ostentatious forty-day fast, vagrancy, public zeal (“sama”) with music and dancing and the loud “zikr” ("remembrance", Islamic religious practice).Naqshbandi Teachings negative attitude to life at another's expense. Naqshbandi followers believed correct, clean ("Halol"), only those funds that are obtained in the work, the sweat of his brow. This rule Naqshbandi laid the foundation of his teaching. His famous motto is "Dil ba Yoru, dast ba kor!" (Heart to God, hands to work!) is still popular among the people. Widespread acceptance in the Muslim world, Sheikh received during his three-year pilgrimage. In the future it will become the patron of crafts.