The One Raised by Kashf, Taught by the Divine: Hazrat Sultan Bahoo and the Light of Ladunni Knowledge

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 31July 2025 Hazrat Sultan Bahoo was a revered 17th-century Sufi saint from Shorkot, Punjab, and the spiritual founder of the Sarwari Qadiri order. Known for his profound teachings on Zikr-e-Hoo and the path of spiritual annihilation (Fuqr), he composed deeply mystical poetry in Persian and Punjabi. His legacy endures through his extensive writings, devoted disciples, and his venerated shrine, which remains a center of spiritual inspiration Main Points: 1. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo was born on 17 January 1630 in Shorkot, into a deeply spiritual Awan Syed family 2. He took Bay’Ah in Delhi under Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi 3. He authored over 140 books, including Ain-ul-Faqr and Abiyat-e-Bahoo 4. He laid the foundation of the Sarwari Qadri path and guided eminent khalifas, notably Hazrat Nou Rang and Hazrat Momin Shah 5. He passed away on 1 March 1691 and is buried at Garh Maharaja, near the Chenab River ---- Introduction Hazrat Sultan Bahoo, also called Sultan‑ul‑Arifeen and Sultan‑ul‑Fuqr, stands among the most luminous Sufi saints of the Indian subcontinent. Born into the Awan tribe in Shorkot during Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign, he embarked on a path of profound spiritual realization. He devoted his life to the cultivation of Fuqr—spiritual poverty, direct remembrance of Allah (Zikr‑e‑Hoo), and self-annihilation in Divine Presence. His legacy persists through his extensive literary corpus in Persian and Punjabi, the Sarwari Qadri Tariqah he founded, and the annual pilgrims drawn to his shrine at Garh Maharaja, Jhang, Pakistan. Early Life and Family Background Hazrat Sultan Bahu was born on Thursday, 1 Jamadi‑us‑Sani 1039 AH (17 January 1630 AD) at dawn in Shorkot, situated on the banks of the Chenab river in present-day Punjab. He belonged to the Awan tribe, and he traced his sacred lineage to Hazrat Ali. His father, Hazrat Bayazid Muhammad, was a Hafiz and served as an officer in Emperor Shah Jahan’s army, and was granted a Jagir in Shorkot. His mother, Bibi Rasti, was spiritually elevated; she reportedly named him “Bahoo” following divine intuition and was his first spiritual mentor. From childhood, Sultan Bahoo exhibited extraordinary spiritual radiance. Legends speak of Hindus embracing Islam upon seeing his face, and his parents were urged by local leaders to limit the boy’s contact due to his perceived spiritual power . His early education was unconventional—he avoided formal madrasa schooling, instead receiving Ilm‑e‑Ladunni (inspired, divine knowledge), primarily through Kashf (spiritual unveiling) and guidance from his mother. Spiritual Training and Bay‘ah In his early years of spiritual awakening, Hazrat Sultan Bahoo felt the need for a Murshid to guide him on the divine path. His mother advised seeking a Murshid in the East. He first went to Hazrat Shah Habibullah Gilani, but after excelling spiritually, was told to proceed to Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi in Delhi, a prominent Qadiri mystic. Around 1668 AD, he travelled to Delhi, took Bay’Ah (oath of allegiance) from Hazrat Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi, and received the robe of Khalifah, authorising him to teach and initiate disciples. At the same time, he described having a vision in which he saw himself being presented in the spiritual presence of Prophet Muhammad by Hazrat Ali, who entrusted him to Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, thus conforming to the spiritual lineage of Qadiri, though Hazrat Sultan Bahu never met Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani physically. Through this vision, he was spiritually aligned with Ghaus-e-Azam and entrusted with the Sarwari–Qadiri path “Sarwari” denotes the Qadiri spiritual stream in which the chain of transmission is believed to be received directly from the Prophet Muhammad, revered as the true Sultan of all creation. Teachings, Literature, and Khalifah Hazrat Sultan Bahu was a prolific spiritual writer, composing over 140 works—primarily in Persian, with devotional poetry (Abiyat‑e‑Bahoo) in Punjabi to make deep spiritual truths accessible to common folk. Among his key writings are Ain‑ul‑Faqr, Kalid‑ut‑Tauheed, Noor‑ul‑Huda, Mahq‑ul‑Faqr Kalan, Asrar‑ul‑Qadri, Jami‑ul‑Israr, Risala‑e‑Roohi, and Ganj‑ul‑Israr. His main doctrine centres around Fuqr (spiritual poverty)—releasing attachment to worldly illusions—and Zikr‑e‑Hoo, a method of constant remembrance of the Divine Name to achieve annihilation (Fana‑fi‑Hoo) and union with Allah. He also emphasized Tazkiyah‑un‑Nafs (purification of the soul), inner sincerity over external rituals, social justice, and interfaith harmony. His humble lifestyle—giving away harvest and plough to the needy—is often recounted as a living example of his teachings. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo entrusted esteemed disciples such as Hazrat Nou Rang, Hazrat Mullah Ma’ani, and Hazrat Momin Shah with the sacred responsibility of carrying forward the Sarwari Qadri teachings, guiding seekers across different regions of South Asia and ensuring the spiritual legacy remained vibrant and accessible. Marriage, Family & Personal Life Hazrat Sultan Bahoo married four wives from diverse backgrounds. One was from the family of Hazrat Makhdoom Burhan-ud-Din Ahmad of Langar Makhdoom Wala, District Jhang. Another one was from the extended Awan family, and the third was also a close relative. His fourth wife came from a Hindu moneylender family in Multan; she embraced Islam after a spiritual experience linked to Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zikriya and became Sultan Bahoo’s wife. According to Manaqib-e-Sultani, he had eight sons: Hazrat Sultan Noor Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Wali Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Latif Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Saleh Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Ishaq Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Fateh Mohammad, Hazrat Sultan Sharif Mohammad, and Hazrat Sultan Hayat Mohammad. Additionally the Miraat-e-Sultani mentions a daughter named Mai Rehmat Khatoon. continued his noble lineage. Despite his family responsibilities, Hazrat Sultan Bahoo remained deeply detached from worldly attachments, embodying a life of devotion, spiritual discipline, and self-effacement. His presence radiated the grace of a true ascetic, ever immersed in remembrance and divine service. Death and Eternal Legacy Hazrat Sultan Bahoo passed from this world on Thursday, 1 Jamadi‑us‑Sani  1102 AH (1 March 1691 AD), at the time of Asr, approximately at age 61. He was initially laid to rest at Fort Qehrgan, situated on the western bank of the Chenab River near Shorkot. However, due to the shifting course of the river, his sacred remains had to be relocated—first in 1180 AH (1766–67) and again in 1336 AH. His blessed shrine now in Garh Maharaja, District Jhang, where devotees from across the world gather each year on the first Thursday of Jamadi‑us‑Sani to commemorate his Urs with reverence and devotion. Although Hazrat Sultan Bahoo did not formally appoint a Khalifa during his earthly life, he is known to have spiritually entrusted his mission to Hazrat Syed Mohammad Abdullah Shah Madni Jilani. Through him, the Sarwari Qadri Silsila continues to flourish, presently guided by spiritual heirs such as Hazrat Sultan Mohammad Najib‑ur‑Rehman. This enduring legacy remains a source of inner transformation and divine love for seekers across generations. Conclusion and Enduring Influence Hazrat Sultan Bahoo remains a towering spiritual figure, his teachings rooted in inner transformation rather than external show, his poetry bridging mysticism and accessibility, and his Tariqah sustaining seekers centuries later. His shrine at Garh Maharaja draws pilgrims across faiths, drawn to his message of inner union with Allah, service, humility, and love beyond dogma . His poetry collection Abiyat-e-Bahoo, continues to be sung widely, keeping alive his vision of God-consciousness through Fuqr and Zikr among new generations. ----- 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/kashf-divine-hazrat-bahoo-ladunni-knowledge/d/136358 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