Khoja Mahmoud Anjir Fagnavi (d. 1317) was a distinguished spiritual leader and the twelfth figure in the spiritual chain of succession within the Naqshbandi tariqa. His life and teachings have had a significant impact on Sufi practices and the Naqshbandi tradition.
Born in the village of Fagnavi, located near the city of Vabkan (now Vabkent), which lies between Bukhara and Gijduvan—approximately 20 kilometers from Bukhara—Khoja Mahmoud lived a life deeply rooted in both spiritual and practical affairs. His tomb is situated in the village of Anjirbag, around fifteen kilometers from Bukhara, near the town of Shafirkan.
In his early years, Khoja Mahmoud worked as a carpenter and builder, engaging in construction and building homes. This practical profession reflects the tradition of the Khojagan masters, who were known for earning their livelihood through honest labor. It is said that his nickname «Anjir,» which means fig or fig tree in Persian, is linked to a notable incident that occurred during his life.
According to legend, one winter the Bukhara Khan received an esteemed guest and wanted to impress him with a display of miraculous feats. The Khan sent a messenger to Khoja Fagnavi, requesting fresh fruits, accompanied by the challenge, «If you are a miracle worker, perform a miracle.» Despite the harsh winter conditions in Uzbekistan, where fresh fruits are not available and fruit trees are buried in earth to prevent frost, Khoja Mahmoud managed to produce fresh figs from his garden. He reached into a mound where fig trees were buried and astonishingly retrieved fresh figs, thus demonstrating his spiritual and miraculous abilities.
While this story might be allegorical, it symbolically conveys the essence of Khoja Fagnavi’s role in preserving and teaching the Sufi tradition. The tale underscores that the roots of spiritual knowledge, even when buried under worldly matters, continue to draw sustenance from higher realms, and the fruits of this knowledge manifest as true miracles. Khoja Fagnavi is famously quoted as saying, «Our science is not the science of this world; it is the science of the worlds.»
Following his teacher Khoja Arif Revgari, Khoja Mahmoud Fagnavi continued the practice of dhikr-i-jahri, or the public recitation of God’s names. When asked about the purpose of reciting dhikr aloud, he explained, «People are always asleep, and this practice is meant to awaken them.» This statement reflects the Sufi belief that, in their ordinary state, people are spiritually «asleep,» and that true awakening requires the guidance of a master.
This notion is reminiscent of a saying attributed to Ali ibn Abu Talib, a close companion and relative of the Prophet Muhammad: «People are asleep, and when they die, they wake up.» In Sufi thought, the limited state of consciousness, influenced by worldly thoughts and perceptions, obscures one’s higher, latent abilities. This state can be likened to a form of hypnosis imposed by earthly forces, making people perceive the world not as it truly is, but as they are led to believe. A true Sufi is one who has «awakened» from worldly illusions, allowing the «eye of the soul» to see clearly.
Sufis believe that an individual cannot awaken themselves; they require a master whose own spiritual «eye» is ever-watchful. The master helps find the most suitable tools and methods for awakening individuals at the right time.
Khoja Mahmoud Anjir Fagnavi passed away in 1286, and his resting place is in his native village, now known as Anjirbag. His grave is marked by a mausoleum, with a mosque, a pond (hauz), and a well nearby, the water of which is considered sacred. The most notable feature for pilgrims visiting this holy site is the beautiful garden abundant with fig trees, symbolizing the miraculous nature of the revered master and serving as a reminder of his profound teachings—the «science of the worlds.»