Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Farid (1841–1901 CE): A Sufi Poet of the Saraiki Tradition

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 11 September 2025 Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Farid (1841–1901 CE), a prominent Sufi poet of the Chishti order, is celebrated for his profound contributions to Saraiki literature through his 272 kafis, compiled in Israr-i-Faridi and Diwan-i-Faridi. His poetry, marked by pantheistic themes and intense mystical experiences, reflects a deep spiritual connection with the Divine, comparable to the works of Hazrat Bulleh Shah. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Farid (1841–1901), a Chishti Sufi, wrote 272 Saraiki kafis. 2. His poetry, like Hazrat Bulleh Shah’s, explores divine love and unity. 3. Popular in Multan, his kafis blend literary and spiritual depth. 4. Educated in Bahawalpur, he spent 18 years in Cholistan retreat. 5. His Mithankot shrine and KFUEIT reflect his lasting legacy. ---- Khwaja Ghulam Farid, a 19th-century Sufi poet from Chachran in Bahawalpur state, stands as a luminary in this tradition. Belonging to the Chishti Sufi order, Farid’s poetry encapsulates the essence of divine oneness and the lover’s longing for the Divine Beloved. His works, primarily in the Saraiki language (often referred to as Multani in his context), resonate with both literary finesse and spiritual depth, making him a pivotal figure in South Asian Sufi literature. This article explores Farid’s biography, his poetic oeuvre, and his socio-cultural significance, drawing on historical and literary sources to provide a comprehensive analysis. Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Farid was born around 1841 CE in Chachran, a town in the princely state of Bahawalpur (now in Punjab, Pakistan). His family, a branch of the Punjabi Koreja clan, claimed descent from Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Rashidun Caliph, through an early migrant to Sindh (Singh, 1997). Originally associated with the Suhrawardi Sufi order in Thatta, Sindh, the family relocated to Mithankot in the early 18th century at the invitation of a disciple and later aligned with the Chishti order. Hazrat Farid’s early life was marked by personal tragedy. His father passed away when he was approximately eight years old, leaving him under the care of his elder brother, Hazrat Khwaja Fakhr al-Din. Farid received a rigorous education at the royal palace of Nawab Sadiq Muhammad IV of Bahawalpur, where he developed into a scholar and poet. The death of his brother at the age of 26 further shaped Farid’s spiritual journey. In 1875, he performed the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and subsequently retreated to the Cholistan Desert (known as Rohi) for an 18-year Chilla (spiritual retreat), where he composed much of his poetry. Hazrat Farid’s literary legacy comprises 272 kafis, short lyrical poems imbued with Sufi mysticism, published in Israr-i-Faridi and Diwan-i-Faridi. These works, primarily in Saraiki, are renowned for their literary merit and spiritual intensity, often compared to the poetry of Hazrat Bulleh Shah (Lajwanti, n.d.). His kafis explore themes of divine love, the pain of separation from the Beloved, and the dissolution of the self in the Divine, reflecting a pantheistic worldview. A notable example is: Je Yaar Farid Qabool Kare (If, beloved, you accept Farid’s plea,) Sarkaar Vi Tu Sultan Vi Tu (You are my king, my sovereign be.) Na Taan Kehtar Kamtar Ahqar Adna (Neither lesser, small nor low in worth,) La-Shay La-Imkaan Vi Tu (You are the impossible, the endless earth.) Mera Ishq Vi Tu Mera Yaar Vi Tu (You are my love, my friend, my all.) Another poignant example of his pantheistic vision is: Hun Main Ranjhan Hoi, Riha Farag Na Koi, Jain Sang Dilari Pit Lagai, Akhar Ban Gai Soi. Sej Suhag Suhas Thin Suhag Sham Sunder Sang Soi; Nai Khial Anade Jain Ne, Mail Dui Di Dhoi, Sare Jag Vich Ik Main Fahi Gai, Na Toi Na Moi; Taha Mansur Farid Hamesha, Jain Mai Ladhoi. Kadi Masjid Hun, Kadi Mandir Hun Kithte Gumrah Haun Kithte Rahbar Haun. Tatti Ro Ro Vati Niharan, Kadan Sanval Mor Muharran. (I have become Ranjhan. There remains no difference between Him and me, With Whom I fell in love, I became the same. She, who washed away the dirt of duality from the mind, verily slept with Sham Sundar. In the whole universe, there remains no He or Thou but I, Says Farid: He is always Mansur who has realised this secret. Sometimes I am a mosque and sometimes, I am a temple. It is I, who is sometimes the guide and sometimes the astray. O Sanval, kindly do come. Burning in the fire of separation I am looking for Thee). Hazrat Farid’s poetry eschews ostentatious displays of devotion, advocating instead for silent, heartfelt prayer. He critiques hypocrisy among self-proclaimed Sufis, likening them to “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Lajwanti, n.d.). His works also reflect a subtle critique of contemporary rulers, aligning with the reformist ethos of other Sufi poets like Hazrat Bulleh Shah and Hazrat Shah Hussain. Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Farid’s influence extends beyond literature to the cultural and spiritual fabric of South Asia, particularly in the Multan region, where his kafis remain immensely popular due to their linguistic accessibility and emotional resonance. His shrine in Mithankot is a major pilgrimage site, attracting devotees across linguistic, sectarian, and geographic boundaries (Safinatul-Auliya). Institutions such as the Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT) in Rahim Yar Khan bear his name, underscoring his enduring legacy. Hazrat Farid’s poetry bridges the individual and the Divine, blending heart and intellect, devotion and philosophy. His work is not merely literature but a living tradition, performed and studied across generations. As a Saraiki poet, he occupies a unique place alongside Punjabi Sufi poets like Hazrat Bulleh Shah, Hazrat Shah Hussain, and Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, while embodying a distinct regional identity. ----- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-khwaja-farid-sufi-poet-saraiki/d/136793 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