Family of Khwaja Ahrar
Khwaja Ahra was known for his courteous and genial demeanor. He treated everyone with affection. Even the helping staff and servants he had were really contented and happy with his treatment as he never treated anyone badly. He would give them space and care for their comfort just like his companions. There were many close affiliates who stayed with him for years and learned spirituality and religion from him, in his grace the companions he had by his side made the most of his knowledge and company; they have given several examples of how Khwaja Ahrar saved them from darkness and improved their worldly and religious lives. Khwaja Ahrar very close to his sons Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdi’llah and Khwaja Muhammad Yahya.
Khwaja Ahrar was said to have a close and loving bond with his sons.
Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdi’llah
He was the first son Of Khwaja Ahrar. He was quite well-acquainted with the abstract and exoteric knowledge. Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdi’llah was well-versed with the worldly and spiritual subjects. Being the son of such a reverend leader, he knew Quran and Sunnah by heart and possessed the quality of solving the most complex of problems complying with Islamic law and Prophetic traditions. Khwaja Ahrar had a very compassionate connection with his son.
Khwaja Muhammad Yahya
He was Khwaja’s second son. The sons of Khwaja Ahrar were known as respected “Khwajagan.” Muhammad Yahya was avidly loved by his father, during the last years of his life he made him his secretary and held him responsible for taking care of his tomb.
Khwaja Muhammad Yahya is said to have the most amazing talent of veracious and extempore speech, he would speak marvelously in a meeting addressing his father. That was the reason; people would come especially to attend the gatherings in which he was present.
Mawlana Jami had great reverence for Khwaja Ahrar’s second son; he used to say about him that his connection is quite absolute with the masters of wisdom.
After the death of Khwaja Ahrar, a man who was connected to the ways of Masters of Wisdom from Khurasan came to Samarkand. He witnessed Khwaja Yahya at the tomb of his father and he felt a sense of peace in his presence.
Khwaja Muhammad Yahya said, “My father taught me how to demonstrate Rabita”, that was one of the most powerful mystique of a spiritual guide to establishing a connection through visualization.
Mawlana Sayyid Hasan
He was the most eminent of Khwaja Ahrar’s close companions. He was very young when he made an association with Khwaja Ahrar.
Mawlana Sayyid was a prudent disciple of Khwaja Ahrar who supported him in all of his decisions and endeavors. Once Khwaja Ahrar was quite busy meeting the rulers that his pupils felt neglected, at that time Mawlana addressed them and told them that for a spiritual leader it is more important to save the people from the tyranny of rulers and evil practices than teaching the disciples. From a very early age, he started grasping the fundamentals of spirituality. Khwaja Ahrar was quite affectionate towards him.
Mawlana Siraj ad-Din Qasim
Mawlana Siraj was also known as “Shadow of Khwaja Ahrar” because of his genial bond with him. He came to terms with Khwaja Ahrar when he recruited him to work in his orchard. He got fond of Khwaja’s company when he used to visit the garden and from there, his love and reverence for this spiritual guide and spirituality developed. He would spend hours without eating as he didn’t feel any hunger due to his mystical state of mind.
Mawlana Qasim had great reverence and love for Khwaja Ahar. When he fell seriously ill, Mawlana was there to serve him, he sent someone to get the physician instructed him to bring him as soon as possible because he couldn’t see Khwaja Ahrar in such condition.
He went up to Khwaja Ahrar and told him how perturbed he was to see him in illness, he further said, “I want to take up your illness.”
Mawlana Jami considered the affiliation of Mawlana Siraj incomparable with any other associate of Khwaja Ahrar. The way he took care of Khwaja Ahrar and held him in esteem was unconditional.
Mir ‘Abd al Awwal
He was not only an affiliate of Khwaja Ahrar but was his son in law as well. He came to Nishapur to get blessed with the grace of Khwaja Ahrar and had to wait for seven years. Those seven years were quite tough for Mir Awwal, as he faced the inconsiderate attitude of Khwaja Ahrar.
He remained staunch and unswerving in his quest though, after a long period of seven years he was made part of Khwaja Ahrar’s family. He had five children with Khwaja Ahrar’s respectable daughter.
Mawlana Ja’far
Mawlana Ja’far was a very dear friend of Khwaja Ahrar. He was blessed by God with knowledge and he could go above in the state of absolute immersion. For that reason, it was quite difficult for him to pray or engage in any activity like a business. Khwaja Ahrar motivated him many times to do a business venture but the state of self-transcendence prohibited him from doing anything else.
He once said that in the beginning, his heart was confused, one night he had a dream in which he came to the service of Khwaja Ahrar and asked him, how one can accomplish the love of Lord, to which Khwaja replied that one can do so by eliminating one’s inner self.
Khwaja Ahrar always remained a great guide and friend for Mawlana Ja’far. He even made his funeral arrangements and gave away so much food to the people who attended the funeral prayer.
There are other associates of Khwaja Ahrar as well with whom he had cordial ties. He was very giving towards his family and friends. He would express his love and compassion on meeting his family, friends, and acquaintances and stand by them in good and rough times due to which he was much esteemed in his circle.
