Hazrat Shaikh Ruknuddin Ismail Chishti of Bihar: A Quiet Torchbearer of Chishti Silsila
By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam
3 May 2025
One Of The Few Indian Sufi Figures With Khilafat From Both Nizami And Ismaili Branches Of The Chishti Order, Remembered For His Solitary Chhilla And Quiet Spiritual Legacy In The Bihar-Uttar Pradesh Region.
Main Points:
1. Respected Chishti figure from the Bihar border region
2. Received khilafat in both Nizami and Ismaili Chishti branches
3. Undertook a 40-day solitary chillah in a forest
4. His spiritual lineage and practices are recorded in Tareekh-e-Mashaikh-e-Chisht
5. His shrine is still visited today, though public recognition remains limited
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Introduction
Hazrat Shaikh Ruknuddin Ismail Chishti is a lesser-known but spiritually significant Sufi saint of the Chishti tradition in India. His name appears in Tareekh-e-Mashaikh-e-Chisht, where his lineage, training, and practices are briefly noted. Though not widely documented, his legacy continues in certain spiritual circles across the Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh region.
Early Life
Born as Ruknuddin, the title ‘Ismail’ connects him to the Ismaili-Chishti order. He hailed from a modest family near the Bihar–Uttar Pradesh border, growing up in an environment of inner reflection. His early years were dedicated to study and spiritual contemplation in solitude.
Training, Bay‘ah, and Khilafat
Hazrat Shaikh Ruknuddin received spiritual training under a respected Nizami-Chishti Sufi, though the exact name of the saint is not recorded. He entered the Chishti-Nizami order through bay‘ah, dedicating himself to spiritual practices. Later, he also received khilafat from a saint of Ismaili-Chishti order, marking his unique role in bridging both branches of the Chishti order.
The Nizami-Chishti order, founded by Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya Badayuni Dehlvi, emphasises love and service, while the Ismaili-Chishti branch focuses on esoteric wisdom and spiritual awakening.
Spiritual Practices and Influence
A pivotal moment in Hazrat Shaikh Ruknuddin’s life was his 40-day solitary retreat (Chhillah) in a forest, marking a turning point in his spiritual journey. His practices of silent remembrance (Zikr-E-Khafii), deep meditation (Muraqaba), and spiritual poverty (Faqr) influenced many. While he had few disciples, at least two became respected figures within the Chishti order.
Demise and Continued Legacy
Hazrat Shaikh Ruknuddin’s exact date of death is unclear, but he is believed to have passed around the 15th century. His shrine located in a small village near the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh border, is still visited by followers, although his legacy has not been widely revived or documented.
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Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut.
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