Nizamuddin Aulia and Amir Khusro

Nizamuddin Aulia ( 1238-1325 ) and Amir Khusro ( 1253-1325 )

-

One day in Delhi the renowned Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Aulia, was standing with his disciple Amir Khusro, on the bank of the river Jumna. The saint saw Hindu worshippers bathing in the Jumna, and remarked ( in Persian) :

" Har Qaum raast raahe

Din-e-wa qibla gaahe "

Which means :

" Every people has a pole (qibla) to which it turns"

i.e. : Every sect has its own right path of worship.

Amir Khusro immediately completed the couplet with a verse of his own :

" Man qibla raast kardam

bar samt kaj kulahe"

Which means :

" I, however turn my face

towards the tilted cap "

( Nizamuddin Aulia used to wear a tilted cap )