Muhammad ibn Muhammad Bahouddin Naqshbandi al-Bukhari, also known by the honorifics Khoja Bahouddin Balogardon, Khojai Buzruk, and Shokhi Naqshband, stands as a venerated figure in the annals of Sufism. As the founder of the Naqshbandiya Order, his influence has permeated through centuries of Islamic mysticism. His life began and concluded in the village of Kasri Khinduvon near Kagan (1318-1389), which was later renamed Kasri Orifon to commemorate his spiritual legacy. A devout pilgrim, he undertook the sacred journey to Mecca not once, but twice.
The details of his life are shrouded in mystery, largely due to his own edict forbidding his followers from documenting his life’s work. Believed to be a Seyid, a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed, he hailed from a lineage of craftsmen; his father was a skilled weaver and metalworker, known as a Naqshband. However, it was his grandfather who cast a profound influence over him, instilling a deep reverence for Sufi traditions and religious scholarship.
Bahouddin Naqshbandi’s education was under the tutelage of the era’s most esteemed spiritual guides. His initial mentorship came from Muhammad Bobo Samosiy (1340-1345), the fifth Pir of Bukhara. Following Samosiy’s passing, he continued his studies with Said Amir Kulola (circa 1288-1371), the sixth Pir of Bukhara and a leading figure of the Hojagon Order. Kulola introduced him to the teachings of Abdulholik Gijduvani (1103-1179), the founder of the Hojagon Order and a pioneer in advocating adherence to Shariah and the prophetic traditions.
Building upon the eight foundational principles laid down by Gijduvani, Naqshbandi expanded the Order’s doctrine with three additional precepts. He championed a life of simplicity, eschewing overt religiosity, loud recitations of zikr (remembrance of Allah), and extended fasting. His philosophy was encapsulated in the maxim «Dil ba eru dast ba kor» – «Heart with Allah, hands in work,» advocating for a balance between spiritual contemplation and diligent labor. The emblem of his Order was a heart inscribed with the name of Allah, symbolizing this harmonious union.
The 675th anniversary of Bahouddin Naqshbandi’s birth was celebrated with great reverence in Uzbekistan in 1993. His resting place, along with the surrounding complex, has become a sacred site of pilgrimage. The Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan preserves a significant collection of 195 scholarly works and books that delve into the life and teachings of Bahouddin Naqshbandi, ensuring that his spiritual and intellectual contributions continue to enlighten future generations.
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