The Sufis are classified into four prominent silsilas (categories) or lines, viz. Qadaria, Chishtia Suharwardia and Naqshbandia.

Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty (R.T.A.) belonged to the Chishtia 'Silsila'. There is no fundamental difference between these silsilas except in matters of minor details. They are all within the framework of the Islamic law as laid down by the Holy Quran and expounded by Hadith but the rituals applied for obtaining the communion or 'raza' of God are different just like the modern Universities where student take different courses for obtaining a particular class of degree. The Chishtia 'silsila' does not enjoin any indifferent belief from that of the other Hanfi Sunni Musalmans. Their belief is based upon the Holy Quran. A study of the lives of Chisty saints, including Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin (R.T.A.) and his spiritual preceptor Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni reveals that they preached and held purely Quranic beliefs. According to Shariyat, every Chisty saint has to follow the Quranic laws strictly.

The Sufi 'Silsilas' however, are not sects. They grew up because people went to Sheikhs or 'Murshids' (religious masters) for spiritual guidance and training who invested those of their disciples whom they regarded as spiritually fit to cater for the spiritual and moral needs of others Traditions, no doubt, grew up differently in different 'silsilas'. What is common between the various Sufi 'silsilas' is confined to few spiritual practices like auraad (verses from Quran) 'sama' (audition) certain festivals, institutions like veneration of the shrines, the etiquette of visiting them and the devotion to certain leading personalities of the order. One special features of the Chishtia order, which is particularly observable among the early Chisty saints of India, is their love for all humanity. They sought to inculcate among their followers an attitude of broad sympathy for the common man irrespective of caste, creed or nationality. They stressed more on humanitarian of caste, creed or nationality. They stressed more on humanitarian obligations of Muslims than on any other point. And that is why Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty (R.T.A.) attracted lakhs of people to the vast circle of his devotees in India in a very short time.