Pakistan, June 29 -- This is the 20th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world

Nizamuddin Auliya used to regularly perform the Sufi chillaah, a 40-day ritual of seclusion marked by complete silence, intense meditation and constant prayer, with very little sleep and food.

The saint's chillaah-gaah was a modest, whitewashed structure with weathered arches and green doors, nestled in the quiet wilderness of Ghayaspur. Khusrau found these periods of time unbearable and would sit outside the chillaah-gaah for hours, with his eyes transfixed on the closed doors and his heart heavy with the pa...