Hazrat Khwaja Rahmatullah Babajan: The Saint Whose Spiritual Presence Transformed A City Into Rahmatabad Sharif

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 6 August 2025 Hazrat Sayyid Khwaja Rahmatullah, affectionately known as Baba Jaan, was a towering 18th-century Sufi saint of the Deccan whose spiritual light reshaped the Nellore region. His life, traced from Bijapur to Makkah and finally to Rahmatabad Sharif in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, reflects deep scholarship, sacrifice, and service. He established a vibrant spiritual centre that continues to draw thousands every year. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Syed Rahmatullah was revered as Naib‑e‑Rasool for his prophetic reflection 2. He received Khilafat in the Qadri and Naqshbandi Silsila, and drew spiritual blessings from the Rifai and Chishti traditions. 3. He built Madina Masjid in 1762 at Rahmatabad, using stones brought from Madina Sharif. 4. He turned Anumasamudram into Rahmatabad, a new centre of divine light. 5. His Dargah fosters unity, drawing Hindus and Muslims in shared reverence. ----- Introduction Hazrat Sayyid Khwaja Rahmatullah, known as Naib-e-Rasool and Baba Jaan, is one of the most venerated Sufi figures in South India. In the quiet village of Rahmatabad in Andhra Pradesh stands his shrine, radiating timeless spiritual energy. With ancestral roots in Central Asia and early spiritual formation in Bijapur, his journey led him across the Deccan to the sacred lands of Makkah and Madinah. Eventually settling in Anumasamudram (now Rahmatabad), he emerged as a mystic, scholar, and reformer known for his humility, strict adherence to Shariah, and miraculous Karamaat. His legacy continues through his dargah, which remains a symbol of healing, communal harmony, and enduring faith for Hindus and Muslims alike. Early Life & Family Background Hazrat Sayyid Khwaja Rahmatullah was born in 1105 AH (1694 AD) in Belgaum, part of the Bijapur Sultanate, during a period of great political change following the fall of the Adil Shahi dynasty. He belonged to the noble Hussaini Saadaat lineage, tracing his ancestry directly to Hazrat Imam Hussain. His father, Hazrat Sayyid Khwaja-e-Alam Nakshband, migrated from Turan (Central Asia) to India and settled in Belgaum, where he became known for his piety and scholarship. Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah lost his mother at an early age and, due to the harsh treatment of his stepmother, was raised under the care of his maternal aunt in Kurnool. This early loss shaped his compassionate character. His formative years were marked by simplicity and struggle, working in the Nawab’s royal stables in Kurnool, where he was entrusted with the care of two horses. Despite worldly responsibilities, he remained inwardly drawn toward spiritual discipline and renunciation, which ultimately led him to leave worldly employment and pursue the path of Sufism. Education, Early Career & Spiritual Transformation While living in Kurnool, he joined the royal stable service, tasked with caring for two horses for the Nawab. However, his spiritual restlessness eventually led him to resign and begin a journey toward divine realisation. He travelled to Bijapur and entered the Qadri Silsila by taking Bay’Ah with Hazrat Sayyid Shah Alawi Bejapuri, also known as Hazrat Alvi Buroom Qadri, his Murshid-e-Awwal. Later, after a prophetic dream in which the Prophet Muhammad instructed him to seek further guidance, he travelled to Makkah, where he met Hazrat Syed Shah Ashraf Makki at Jabal Abu al-Khais and received khilafat in the Qadri Silsila. He also visited Hazrat Syed Ahmed Rifai and was granted deep esoteric knowledge. During his Hajj in 1151 AH (1737 AD), he met Hazrat Sayyid Shah Ali Reza Gujarati in Surat, who conferred upon him the Naqshbandi Khilafat. Additionally, he benefited from the Batini Faiz (spiritual grace) of Hazrat Sayyid Hussaini Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz of Gulbarga, whose teachings left a lasting impact on his inner path, though no formal Bay’Ah is recorded. Establishing Rahmatabad Sharif After years of travel, Hazrat Rahmatullah settled in 1748 AD in Anumasamudram, a village that he later renamed Rahmatabad Shareef. He purchased land outright, despite being offered it freely by the Udaigiri Fort commander. This conscious choice showed his strict refusal to accept gratuities. Initially living as a humble faqir, he constructed a simple thatched mosque which was later replaced by the Madina Masjid in 1762 AD, famously inscribed with the words: “This stone has been brought from Madina al-Munawwarah.” He expanded his estate by purchasing around ten surrounding villages and yet maintained complete humility, never accepting offerings from people involved in bidʿah (innovation). He also served briefly as a superintendent in the Madras Devani Court under the East India Company, from which he directed all revenue from Ahmedpur village to Madina Sharif for charitable work. He never kept any income for himself. Spiritual Lineage, Bay‘ah, and Khulafa Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah was blessed with spiritual connections across four major Sufi Silsila—Qadri, Chishti, Rifai, and Naqshbandi—each of which shaped different aspects of his spiritual personality. His formal Bay’Ah and Khilafat were rooted in the Qadri Silsila through Hazrat Sayyid Shah Alawi Bejapuri, a senior Sufi of the Qadri Silsila. Through him, Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah’s Qadri spiritual lineage is traced back as follows: Hazrat Rahmatullah, Hazrat Sayyid Alawi Bejapuri, Hazrat Sayyid Shah Abdul Qadir Jilani, Hazrat Ghaus-ul-Azam Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani Baghdadi. He later received additional Ijazahs in the Qadri order from Hazrat Sayyid Shah Ashraf Makki during his visit to Makkah, further deepening his spiritual authority in this Silsila. In the Rifai order, he was initiated by Hazrat Syed Ahmed Rifai, a descendant of the great Sufi Hazrat Shah Ahmad Kabir Rifai of Iraq. His Naqshbandi Ijazah came through Hazrat Sayyid Shah Ali Reza Gujarati, linking him to the Mujaddidi branch of the Naqshbandi order. Though he did not take formal Bay’Ah in the Chishti Silsila, he received strong Batini Faiz (inner spiritual grace) from Hazrat Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz of Gulbarga. His practices often reflected the inclusive and service-oriented ethos of the Chishti path. Among his notable disciples, Hazrat Shah Mohammad Rafiuddin Kandhari helped spread his teachings in the Deccan, while Hazrat Sayyid Murtuza Quadri of Adoni strengthened the Qadri presence in Andhra Pradesh. His nephew, Hazrat Shah Ghulam Naqshband, served as his principal spiritual successor (Sajjada Nashin). Many of his murids later established Khanqahs across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Teachings and Karamaat Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah taught strict adherence to Shariah and Sunnah, along with practices like Khilwat (seclusion), Muraqaba (meditation), spiritual silence, and regular recitation of Dalail‑ul‑Khairat. He rejected fame and wealth, choosing a humble life as a wandering dervish. He trained his disciples in Islamic law, Ma‘rifat, and Haqiqat. His karamaat included stopping floodwaters with a single stone, explaining a Masnavi verse so deeply that a Nawab entered spiritual trance, healing the sick through Dua, and answering murids' questions through dreams. It is said that Quranic recitation from Hazrat Ahmed Shah Quadri’s shrine would stop at his command. The soil of his grave is still believed to bring healing, drawing people seeking health, fertility, and inner peace. Death and Succession In the final year of his life, Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah developed a cancerous growth on his cheek but remained in a state of constant zikr (remembrance of God) until his last breath. He passed away on 26 Rabi al-Awwal 1195 AH (22 March 1781) at Udgir Fort. Despite being married twice, he had one daughter, she passed away in early childhood. His noble wife, Hazrat Bibi Syeda Habeebunnisa, lovingly known as Amma Jaan, was buried beside him. She played a central role in preserving his legacy and personally nominated his nephew, Hazrat Shah Ghulam Naqshband, as his spiritual successor (Sajjada Nashin). Notably, Hazrat Rahmatullah had also purchased a burial plot in Mutailpet, Madras, suggesting that he continued traveling and maintaining spiritual ties with Tamil Nadu and Andhra regions well into his later years. Dargah Shareef and Rituals Hazrat Sayyid Khwaja Rahmatullah’s Dargah is located at Rahmatabad (A.S. Peta), It is a well-known site of annual Urs and interfaith gatherings. The main Urs is observed from 24th to 27th Rabi al-Awwal, with rituals like Langar, salami, Khatm Quran, and Qawwali. The sandal of Hazrat Rahmatullah takes place on 25th Rabi al-Awwal, while the sandal of Amma Jaan (Hazrat Bibi Syeda Habeebunnisa) is held from 7th to 9th Rabi al-Awwal, during which women are permitted inside the inner tomb. Nearby associated shrines include: Hazrat Baba Faqruddin Shah Wali, Hazrat Ustad Baba (13 Ramzan), Hazrat Syed Ashraf Baba (21 Rajab), and Hazrat Syed Ahmed Shah Qadri, known for miraculous Quranic recitations linked to Hazrat Sayyid Rahmatullah. Administration and Legacy The Dargah at Rahmatabad is presently overseen by Hazrat Shah Ghulam Naqshband Hafeez Pasha, the current Sajjada Nasheen. He is supported by Hazrat Saifur Rahman Qadri (Secretary) and Hazrat Ghulam Samdani Pasha, who serves as the lead Naat Khwan. Hazrat Rahmatullah’s influence extends across the Deccan and Tamil regions, with Rahmatabad emerging as a centre of interfaith devotion. Both Muslims and Hindus regularly visit the shrine, reflecting its legacy of spiritual harmony. His life and teachings are preserved in works like Tazkira-e-Auliya-e-Deccan by Abdul Jabbar Khan Malkapuri and Behr-e-Rahmat. To this day, devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka continue to flock to Rahmatabad—not only to visit a Dargah, but to connect with a living tradition of healing, peace, and love for the Divine. ----- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-khwaja-babajan-saint-spiritual-rahmatabad/d/136413 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism