Episode 02 — The Journey to Ajmer

Having completed his initial studies in Quranic sciences, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence in Samarqand and Bukhara, Moinuddin Chishti felt called toward the path of Sufi discipline. He travelled to Harwan, near Nishapur, where he pledged spiritual allegiance (bay'ah) to the renowned master Khwaja Usman Harooni.

For twenty-bountiful years, young Moinuddin served his master with absolute dedication. He accompanied Sheikh Usman Harooni on extensive travels across Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Persia, meeting leading scholars and Sufi masters of the age, including Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani in Baghdad.

Traditional accounts record that during a pilgrimage to the holy city of Medina, Khwaja Moinuddin received an inner spiritual instruction to journey toward the Indian subcontinent, specifically to the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan.

Travelling through Lahore — where he spent time in quiet spiritual retreat at the tomb of Ali Hujwiri (Data Ganj Bakhsh) — Khwaja Sahib arrived in Delhi and eventually reached Ajmer around 1192 CE. At that time, Ajmer was a prominent political center ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan. Rather than engaging in court politics, Khwaja Sahib established a simple residence near Ana Sagar Lake, welcoming people of all backgrounds.