The Washerman's Son: A Story of Blind Love

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a famous Sufi saint, often used to say phrase that "only the washerman's son came out lucky from us, we couldn't do that much". His devotees were curious to know what he meant by this, so they asked him about the washerman's son.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya began to narrate a story of a washerman who used to come to wash clothes from the palace. The washerman was so diligent in his work that he fell in love with the unseen love of the princess while washing her clothes. He would wash them thoroughly, peculiarly fold them after ironing, and so on. The mother of the princess noticed the change in the style of washing and layering of clothes and whispered in the washerwoman's ear about her suspicion that the washerman had fallen in love with the princess. The father forbade his son from washing the clothes of the princess, but the boy's love was so strong that he continued to perform the service secretly.

Eventually, the boy fell ill and died a few days later. His love for the princess was so strong that he could not live without serving her. The princess noticed the change in the style of washing and folding her clothes and asked the new washerman about the old one. When the washerman revealed the truth, the princess was moved by the boy's love and ordered a chariot to be prepared. She rode in the royal chariot and brought a basket full of flowers, which she placed on the grave of the deceased washerman's son.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya would often use this story to explain the power of love. He would say, "If you can love a human being blindly, then why can't you love Allah blindly?" He urged his devotees to show their love for Allah with their hearts and minds in reading his prayers, just as the washerman's son showed his love for the princess in washing her clothes.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya would say that the washerman's son was successful because his love was accepted. However, there was no indication of whether our love for Allah would be accepted or rejected. He would emphasize that showing love for Allah was not a mustahabb duty, but rather an act of devotion that required genuine love and sincerity.

In conclusion, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's story of the washerman's son highlights the power of love and devotion. It inspires us to show our love for Allah with sincerity and dedication, just as the washerman's son showed his love for the princess. The story reminds us that true success lies in the acceptance of our love by Allah and that we should strive to show our love for Allah in everything we do.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was a prominent Sufi saint and spiritual leader in the 14th century in India. He was born in 1238 in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India, and belonged to the Chishti order of Sufism, which emphasizes love and devotion to God and humanity.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is known for his teachings on the importance of love and compassion towards all living beings, regardless of their religion or social status. He believed that God is the only true reality and that the purpose of human life is to seek a closer connection with God through prayer, meditation, and service to others.

Throughout his life, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya attracted many followers, both from the common people and the ruling class, including kings and princes. He was respected and loved for his wisdom, kindness, and generosity, and many of his disciples became renowned spiritual leaders in their own right.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya died on April 3, 1325, at the age of 87, and his tomb, located in the Nizamuddin Dargah complex in Delhi, is visited by thousands of people every year, seeking blessings and inspiration from his teachings. He is remembered as a great spiritual leader who taught that the path to God is through love, compassion, and service to others.