XIV. SHAIKH NIĀMU-'D-DĪN*
OF NĀRNŌL.

Nārnol* is one of the famous cities of India. Although the Shaikh was the disciple of Shaikh Khānūn of the Cish* order, who was settled in the fort of Gwāliyār, he always declared that he acquired most of his excellence, and education, as well as the spiritual succession, from his own elder brother, Shaikh Isma‘īl by name. He was a Ṣūfī who had attained the first stage of recognition of God,* had overcome his desires, and had acquired complete hope in God's mercy. He was thoroughly acquainted with the (spiritual) condition of those who had retired from the world and had chosen the religious life, and possessed great influence over them. I have heard that he used to order the darvīshes of his hospice, during eclipses of the moon, to take oil of the Celastrus,* (a medicine well-known in India, on which treatises, describing its virtues, have been written, and of the properties of which the author has had some small experience), and that under its influence the truth about the next world* was revealed to them, and that he used to recount to them* other wonderful matters—but God knows the truth.

He remained seated on the throne of religious guidance for nearly forty years, and from early youth to the end of his life there were very few years in which he did* not make a pilgrim­age on foot, inflamed with strong desire and fervour, losing no time on the way, to the shrine of that holy pole-star of the world, Khāja Qubu-'d-dīn Bakhtyār of Ūsh,* (may God sanctify his tomb!). Towards the end of his life, owing to old age, and other things which hindered him (from performing this pilgrimage), he used to celebrate the festival* of the sainted Khāja in Nārnōl. In abandoning all outward show he followed the footsteps of his spiritual guide, and in his freedom from ceremoniousness and formality he regarded rich and poor alike, observing the same impartiality also in admitting disciples. I saw him when he was surrounded by a crowd, and so did not attain to the honour of 27. conversing with him. His death took place in the year H. 997, (A.D. 1588-9,) and the words “Alas for Niām”* were found to give the date.