The city of Chisht is situated in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Now it is known as Shaqlan. Four eminent teachers of the Chishtia order were born on this land. They are:

1. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmed Chishty (R.A)

2. Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Abu Ahmed Chishty (R.A)

3. Hazrat Khwaja Yousuf Chishty (R.A), and

4. Khwaja Qutubuddin Modood Chishty (R.A)

All these four were the natives of the place and they developed the Chishtia order.

It is misconceived that the Chishty order owes its origin to the Great Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishty (ra). In fact, the fountain-head of the Chishties is Hazrat Khawaja Abu Ishaq ash-Shami Chishty (ra) of Syria.

Once Hazrat Abu Ishaq ash-Shami Chishty (ra) was approached by Hazrat Khawaja Mamshad ‘Alw ad-Dinwari (ra), in Baghdad, with the intention of initiating him as his disciple. After the formal initiation, Hazrat Khawaja Mumshad ‘Alw ad-Dinwari (ra) asked him by what name he was known by. He replied, “This humble being is called Abu Ishaque Shami.” Thereupon, Hazrat Khwaja Mumshad ‘Alw ad-Dinwari (ra) said to him, “From today onward, we will call you Abu Ishaque Shami Chishty and, besides, whosoever enters the spiritual fold till the day of resurrection will be likewise called Chishty.” Therefore, whosoever enters this Chishty sect is entitled to be called a Chishty.

With the consent and command of his spiritual guide and teacher Hazrat Khawaja Mamshad ‘Alw ad-Dinwari (ra), Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaque (ra) of Syria, reached Chisht and busied himself in worship and Mujaheda (prayer with complete isolation from normal worldly affair).

At this place, there were also some prominent saints of his time, namely Hazrat Khawaja Ahmed Chishty (ra), Hazrat Khwaja Mohammad Chishty (ra), Hazrat Khawaja Abu Yousuf Chishty (ra), Hazrat Khawaja Qutubddin Modud Chishty (ra), all of them lived, worked and expired in Chisht town. This is the reason why all the disciples subsequently came to be known as Chishties. All the above mentioned prominent saints, spiritual teachers, guides and precursors of the Great Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty (ra) came to be entitled and called as Chishty.

See the Chishtia Shajra Sharif (Spiritual lineage)