Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin Sihalvi Ansari, The Sun of Sihal, Caravan of Knowledge, Message of Reform, Light of Spirituality
By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam
28 October 2025
Honoured by Aurangzeb (1703) & Muhammad Shah (1725) died 1748 in itikaf urs on 12 Ramzan madrasa/Mazar still active in Sihali & Lahore
Main Points:
1. Born 1677 in Meerut village memorized Quran by age 10 studied in Delhi's Madrasa-e-Rahimiya under Shah Abdur Rahim earned Ijazat-e-Hadith in 1700.
2. 1701, started madrasa at home grew to 500+ students; taught Quran, Hadith, Fiqh; disciples like Maulana Fakhruddin became Qazi of Delhi.
3. Wrote Nizam-ul-Quran (Tafsir, 1715), Durar-ul-Hadith (1720), Fatawa-e-Nizamiya (1730), Al-Mawaiz-ul-Hasna (Tasawwuf, 1735), Gulzar-e-Nizami (200+ spiritual nazms in Farsi-Urdu).
4. Chishti silsila khalifa (1705); built khanqah, Jama Masjid, 10 wells; banned child marriage/dowry, promoted widow remarriage, fed poor weekly.
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In the history of North India, there are some names that keep echoing for centuries. One such name is Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin Sihalvi Ansari. He was the person who, in the 18th century, set such an example of Islamic education, social reform and religious unity that even today it inspires millions of people.
His birth happened on 27 March 1677 and death on 8 May 1748. That means in a total life of 71 years, he did such works that even big-big emperors could not do. He was neither any king nor soldier, but an ordinary village scholar who illuminated the whole area with his pen, knowledge and hard work
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin’s birth happened in a small town Sihali of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh. In that time, this area was part of Mughal Empire. In the village, mostly people used to do farming, but Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin’s family was a family of knowledge and Deen. His father’s name was Muhammad Ali. He was Zamindar of Sihali and also used to lead namaz in local mosque. Mother’s name was Bibi Fatima. In the house, recitation of Quran used to happen.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin was the youngest son. He had three elder brothers and one sister. When Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin was only 4 years old, only then his father started teaching him Quran. At 6 years age, he learned Nahw and Sarf. At 8 years age, he started reading initial surats of Sahih Bukhari. At 10 years age, he memorized the whole Quran. Village people were surprised how such a small child has so much knowledge_When Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin became 15 years old (1692 AD), then his father said, “Now go to Delhi. There are big-big ulema there. Acquire real knowledge from there.” Delhi in that time was centre of Islamic knowledge. It was era of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin reached Delhi and took admission in Madrasa-e-Rahimiya. This madrasa was near Red Fort and connected to Mughal court. Here his main teachers were Shah Abdur Rahim court scholar of Emperor Aurangzeb and father of Shah Waliullah Dehlvi, and Maulana Muhammad Ashraf big expert of Hadith. From them he studied Tafsir of Quran (Ibn Kathir), all big books of Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmizi), Hanafi Fiqh (Islamic law), Mantiq (logic), Greek tibb (medicine). After 8 years hard work, in year 1700 he got Ijazat-e-Hadith. That means now he was entitled to teach Hadith.
In 1701 Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin returned to his village Sihali. Village people gave him strong welcome. But he was not one to stop. He started a small madrasa in his house courtyard. Named it Madrasa Nizamiya. In first year only 120 children came. But his teaching was so good that soon more than 500 talib-e-ilm started coming. He used to teach from morning to evening. At night used to write books. Some of his famous disciples were Maulana Fakhruddin later became Qazi of Delhi, Maulana Abdul Haq big scholar of Hadith, Maulana Muhammad Yaqub — wrote book Tarikh-e-Sihali.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin not only used to teach, used to write also a lot. His books are still present in libraries. All are in Arabic but in simple language. Nizam-ul-Quran is Tafsir of Quran which was written in 1715. It is in three volumes and explains every ayat by connecting to daily life. Durar-ul-Hadith is explanation of Sahih Bukhari which completed in 1720. In it every Hadith has explanation in simple language. Fatawa-e-Nizamiya solves daily issues which came in 1730. In it more than 500 fatwas are there — like method of Namaz, Nikah, Talaq, business.
Al-Mawaiz-ul-Hasna teaches Tasawwuf and goodness which was written in 1735. This book is of spiritual journey. Tarikh-e-Sihali is history of village which completed in 1740. His most famous book is Nizam-ul-Quran. It is in 3 parts and does simple explanation of every ayat of Quran.
Apart from these books Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin wrote a lot also on spiritual knowledge. Al-Mawaiz-ul-Hasna is his most important spiritual book. In it he tells that real purpose of human is worship of Allah. In book there are 40 small-small mazmoon. Every mazmoon has one spiritual lesson like khauf-e-Khuda, mohabbat-e-Rasool, fazilat of zikr, tahzeeb of nafs. He writes, “Whoever remembers Allah, Allah makes his every difficulty easy.” This book even today is with seekers of Chishti and Naqshbandi Silsila.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin wrote poetry also. His Shayari is in Farsi and Urdu. Total more than 200 Nazms are there which are compiled in his diwan “Gulzar-e-Nizami”. This diwan completed in 1745. His Shayari is simple but touches the heart. He used to write in spiritual love, remembrance of Allah and praise of Prophet. Some famous examples:
“Dil Ki Zameen Par Ug Aaya Hai Gulzar-E-Ishq,
Jab Se Teri Yaad Ka Beej Boya Hai Nizam Ne
Subah Ki Azan Mein Sunta Hoon Teri Awaaz
Har Namaz Mein Khada Hota Hoon Tere Saamne”
“Ye Duniya Ek Sarai Hai, Musafir Hum Sab,
Asli Ghar To Jannat Hai, Jahan Bulayega Rab”
His one famous Rubai is
"Nafs Ko Maar, Dil Ko Zinda Kar,
Zikr Mein Doob, Duniya Ko Bhool Ja
Jo Rab Ko Pa Le, Wo Sab Pa Le,
Baaki Sab Kuch Maya Hai, Dhokha Hai”
These Nazms are taught even today in madrasas. In his Shayari glimpse of Chishti Tasawwuf is found. He used to say, “Shayari is not that which is only juggling of words, but that which takes heart towards Allah.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin’s spiritual works were many. He was seeker of Chishti Silsila. In 1705 at Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi he took bait. From there he obtained Khilafat. In Sihali he built a small Khanqah where at night zikr used to happen. He used to teach both Zikr-E-Jali (in loud voice) and Zikr-E-Khafi (from heart). Every Friday night Halqa-E-Zikr used to happen. Village people used to come. He used to teach that “Zikr is not that which is from tongue, but that which is from heart.
His spiritual methods were very simple. He used to say, “Five time Namaz, daily 100 times Darood, and once Surah Yaseen read only this is spiritual Amal.” Feeding poor, getting medicine for patients — all this was part of his spiritual work. He used to say, “Service of human is worship of Allah.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin did not want to remain limited only to madrasa. He took pledge to remove evils of village. Put ban on child marriage and said if girl is less than 15 years then marriage is sin. Gave fatwa to stop dowry that taking dowry is haram. Gave permission for widows’ marriage and said widow can marry again, this is permission of Islam. For help of poor every Friday food used to be distributed in mosque. From these reforms village women and poor became very happy. In 1705 he got built Jama Masjid Sihali. Even today this mosque exists. Madrasa Nizamiya is still running. Here hundreds of children study. In his time 10 wells and 3 ponds were built in village.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin was known to Mughal emperors also. In 1703 Aurangzeb called him to court. In Fatawa-e-Alamgiri (book of Mughal law) his contribution is there. In 1725 Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangeela gave him title “Mujaddid-e-Asr” (reformer of era). But Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin never did job in court. Said, “My work is to distribute knowledge, not power.
Marriage happened at 18 years age (1695). Wife was Bibi Zainab who was daughter of Qazi of Meerut. Sons were Muhammad Hashim (successor) and Muhammad Yusuf (scholar). Daughter was Fatima whose marriage happened with disciple Fakhruddin. His family even today is in Sihali and Lahore. They are called Khandan-e-Nizamiya.
After 1740 Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin got asthma. Still kept teaching. Ramadan of 1748 came. He was in itikaf (seclusion worship) in mosque. On 8 May 1748 (12 Ramzan 1161 Hijri) on Friday after Zuhr namaz his death happened. In janaza more than 10,000 people came. From Delhi, Meerut, Lucknow people came walking. Namaz-e-Janaza his elder son Muhammad Hashim led. His Mazar is in Sihali. Name is Dargah Nizamuddin. Every year on 12 Ramzan Urs happens.
In 1750 Disciples Started Urs.
In 1857 revolution English attacked on Mazar, but village people saved it. In 1947 partition happened then one part of family went to Pakistan. In Lahore there is Nizamiya branch.
Some wrong rumours also are there. People say he was magician, but absolutely lie. Only knowledge of Tasawwuf was there. Say that there was enmity with Aurangzeb, but lie. In court respect was given.
Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin Sihalvi is not any fairy tale, a true example. He proved that knowledge is the biggest power. His books are being read. His shayari is being sung. His zikr even today happens in Khanqahs. His madrasa is running. His Mazar is place of Zeyarat. His reforms even today are applied. If you ever go to Sihali, then definitely see Jama Masjid, khanqah and Madrasa Nizamiya. In that air even today fragrance of his hard work, his nazms and his spirituality is there.
Tazkira-e-Ulema-e-Sihalvi book of Muhammad Hashim of 1820, original manuscript of Fatawa-e-Nizamiya which is in Lahore library, copy of Gulzar-e-Nizami (diwan-e-shayari) of 1745 which is in Delhi khanqah, original book of Al-Mawaiz-ul-Hasna, Tarikh-e-Sihali book of Muhammad Yaqub of 1805, and in Mughal records farman of Aurangzeb of 1703 are present.
Overall Hazrat Mulla Nizamuddin’s life is a lesson that with hard work, truth, knowledge and spirituality how much high a human can rise. To become like him is difficult, but to learn from him is in everyone’s reach.
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Altamash Ali is a Sufi writer and a student of IFTM University.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism