Khuddam-e-Khwaja and Lineage, Relation and Association with Khawaja Sahib:-

(Harke-Khidmat Kard Makhdum Shud)
The Khadims of Huzoor Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) known as “Syedzadgan” trace their lineage from Hazrat Khawaja Syed Fakhruddin Gurdezi (R.A.) through his sons – Khawaja Syed Masood, Khawaja Syed Mehboob Bahlol and Khawaja Syed Ibrahim.

Hazrat Khawaja Syed Fakhruddin Gurdezi (R.A.) and Huzoor Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) were first cousins and spiritual borthers and Hazrat Khawaja Syed Fakhruddin Gurdezi (R.A.) was also the Khadim-e-Khas of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) he used to attend on Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) day in day out, therefore, he and his descendants the present Khadim community took pride and deemed it an honour to be called

“Khadims” of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A)

Hazrat Khawaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (R.A)of Delhi in his book ‘Munis-ul-Arwah’ writes as under :

” During my twenty years company with my ‘Shaikh’ (spiritual leader), i did not find any other person , except Fakhruddin so near to him. “

The Khuddam-e-Khawaja { Decendents of Hazrat Khawaja Syed Fakhruddin Gurdezi (R.A) } are also referred to as Mujavirs, Syedna, Sahibzadas, Khudma, Gaddinashins etc. by the devotees, and pilgrims, who pour all kinds of offerings (Nazar) upon them, in the name of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty.

Khawaja Hussain Nagori (R.A) has alluded the Khadims of Khawaja Sahib as equivalent to Ridwan (the door keeper of heaven), and this shows how great Saints of the time held the Khadiman-e-Khawaja in high esteem, and appreciated their role.

The Mazar-e-Aqdas (Holy Shrine) of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) always remained under the custody and care of the Khadim community from the very beginning, which proves that they are the custodians of the Holy Shrine (Mazar-e-Aqdas) in the true sense of the word. All the mundane rituals & traditions of the Mazar-e-Aqdas (Holy Shrine) are performed by Khadims alone.
“KHUDDAM-e-Khawaja’s RELATION WITH THE SHRINE IS NOT ONLY ANCIENT BUT INTIMATE”:-
The keys of the Holy Shrine including the Toshakhana (store room) are in the custody of the Khadims since inception according to centuries old Kalid Bardari system of our ancestors.

Only the Khadims have the privilege to open (after giving Azan at the door step of the Shrine) & close the doors of the Holy Shrine for centuries in religious & hereditary capacity.

Khadims are the only one entitled to take Zaireen (Pilgrims) for Ziyarat (Darshan) at the Holy Shrine, and they have the right to receive all kinds of Nazar & Niyaz (offerings) at the Holy Shrine (Mazar-e-Aqdas) of Huzoor Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.).

Undoubtedly, the Khadims, who have been attached to the Shrine since its inception, played a key role in the smooth functioning and in keeping strict discipline in the performances of these rituals and ceremonies. As a result, they often invited the ill-will and wrath of pilgrims and other officials. But their genuine concern and enforcement of established customs and rituals, showing strict adherence to the humanitarian approach of the Saint, was always upheld by the authorities.

Their right to serve the Shrine, to perform religious rituals and arrange spiritual functions and to receive all kinds of Nazars (Offerings) are hereditary and have also been judicially recognised. The documentary evidences are in the “Malfoozat” (sayings) of Chishtia order & historical literature, Shahi Faramin, Sanads etc. (Imperial orders) Jagirs, honours and rewards conferred upon them from time to time not only by Muslim rulers but also by many Hindu Rajas and Chieftains of India, which was also conferred by the British Government during their succeeding regimes.