Hazrat Sahvi Shah: The Voice of Hyderabad’s Sufi Revival and Interfaith Harmony

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 16 Sep 2025 Hazrat Moulana Sahvi Shah (1923–1979) was Hyderabad’s foremost 20th-century Sufi scholar, Quranic commentator, poet, and interfaith ambassador. His personality embodied a rare synthesis of classical Islamic learning and modern accessibility, and his writings, lectures, and spiritual gatherings left an enduring legacy on Indian Sufism. Main Points: 1. A distinguished multilingual Quranic commentator and a pioneer of Urdu Sufi literature in Hyderabad. 2. The revered spiritual successor of Hazrat Ghousi Shah and the noble grandson of Hazrat Kareemullah Shah. 3. Author of fifteen esteemed works, including Quranic exegesis, translations, and poetry collections. 4. He founded the Conference of World Religions to promote interfaith harmony and understanding. 5. He is buried at Masjid-e-Kareemullah Shah, Begum Bazaar, Hyderabad, where his legacy lives on. ---- Introduction The city of Hyderabad, with its deep traditions of scholarship and spirituality, produced many saints and scholars who shaped the course of Indian Sufism. Among them, Hazrat Maulana Sahvi Shah, also known as Hazrat Ahmed ibn Arabi Sahvi, occupies a special place as the leading spiritual figure of the mid-20th century. He was at once a poet, Quranic interpreter, Sufi teacher, and advocate of religious tolerance. His works defended traditional Sunni practices while addressing modern intellectual challenges, making him both a preserver of the past and a guide for the future. Early Life and Family Background Hazrat Sahvi Shah was born on 6th Rajab 1345 AH, corresponding to 23 February 1923 CE, in Hyderabad. His birth fell on the Urs day of Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz of Ajmer, a coincidence remembered by his disciples as a sign of his destined spiritual journey. His family belonged to the Syed lineage, firmly rooted in the Sahvia–Ghousia–Kamalia tradition of Sufism established through Hazrat Machliwale Shah. His father, Hazrat Ghousi Shah (1893–1954), was a prominent Khalifa of Hazrat Machliwale Shah and carried forward his spiritual mission in Hyderabad. His grandfather, Hazrat Alhaj Kareemullah Shah Saheb, was among the city’s most venerated saints and a celebrated interpreter of the mystical works of Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi. The family’s mosque, Masjid-e-Kareemullah Shah at Begum Bazaar, was not only a place of prayer but also a spiritual centre where seekers gathered to learn and practice Sufi traditions. The environment of the home combined scholarship with devotion, ensuring that young Hazrat Sahvi Shah’s early upbringing was surrounded by both learning and spirituality. His Bismillah ceremony, the initiation into reading the Quran, was performed when he was four years and four months old under the patronage of Hazrat Machli Wale Shah. This moment marked the beginning of a life deeply devoted to Quranic study and spiritual discipline. Education and Teachers From an early age, Hazrat Sahvi Shah displayed an unusual brilliance for learning. He grew into a multilingual scholar, mastering Arabic, Persian, and Urdu along with the disciplines of Hadith, Fiqh, and Tafseer. His education was largely guided within the family. His father, Hazrat Ghousi Shah, served as his primary teacher and spiritual mentor, while his grandfather Hazrat Kareemullah Shah provided both intellectual guidance and spiritual example. The broader patronage of Hazrat Machliwale Shah also nurtured his formation, for the young boy grew up in an environment where khanqah traditions were vibrant, and Islamic sciences were studied alongside poetry and spiritual practice. Hazrat Sahvi Shah’s education was not confined to the madrasa style of rote learning. He was encouraged to think deeply about the meanings of the Quran and Hadith and to combine scholarship with lived spirituality. This approach later defined his works, which bridged the scholarly and the practical, making his writings accessible to both scholars and common seekers. Bay‘ah and Silsila Hazrat Sahvi Shah entered the spiritual path formally through bay‘ah at the hands of his father, who initiated him into the Sahvia–Ghousia–Kamalia order. His silsila affiliations, however, extended much further, encompassing the Qadri, Chishti, Naqshbandi, Suhrawardi, Tabqati, Ovaisi, and Akbari traditions. This broad spiritual inheritance gave his teachings a universal flavor. It allowed him to engage with seekers from multiple Sufi backgrounds while remaining firmly rooted in Sunni orthodoxy. His openness to diverse influences reflected the inclusive character of Hyderabad’s Sufi culture. Khilafat and Spiritual Leadership In 1954, shortly before the death of his father, Hazrat Sahvi Shah was granted khilafat at the young age of twenty-seven. The responsibility of guiding disciples and continuing the family’s mission now fell upon his shoulders. For the next twenty-five years, until his death in 1979, he became one of the most active and visible Sufi leaders in Hyderabad and across India. His leadership was marked by spiritual gatherings where dhikr was performed, Quran was explained, and poetry was recited. He was known not only for his scholarly discourses but also for the warmth with which he welcomed seekers of every background. His tours across India spread his message of Tawhid, self-purification, and love of the Prophet. Literary Career and Major Works Hazrat Sahvi Shah’s literary career began early. At the age of eighteen, in 1941, he published his first poetry collection, Aqse Lateef. The work received high praise from literary critics, including the noted Urdu writer and critic Hazrat Niaz Fatehpuri. This early success established him as a poet of promise and set the stage for his lifelong engagement with literature. Over his career, he authored fifteen significant books, which included translations, Quranic commentary, mystical guidance, and poetry. His scholarly works included Tashriah Tarjuma Quran, a translation of the Quran, and Parwar Tafsir, a detailed commentary. His Irshadat-e-Sulook served as a guide to mysticism, while Bidat-e-Hasna defended praiseworthy innovations within Sunni practice against modern critics. His poetry collections continued to flow, with works like Takdees-e-Sher, Nazr-e-Madina, and Tathir-e-Ghazal enriching Urdu Sufi literature. Alongside books, he engaged actively in journalism. He served as editor of Urdu weeklies such as Jhalkian and Inquilab and later the magazine Al-Noor. He used these platforms to express spiritual and social issues, expanding his influence beyond the Khanqah. Teachings and Practices Hazrat Sahvi Shah’s teaching style was rooted in the traditional sciences but was marked by an ability to communicate with modern audiences. He emphasised purification of the self (Tazkiya Nafs), love of the Prophet, and the practical application of Islamic teachings in daily life. His dhikr gatherings were known for their spiritual intensity, and his discourses drew both scholars and laymen. One of his most popular contributions was his radio broadcast on All India Radio Hyderabad, where his lecture on Tazkiya Nafs became widely acclaimed. Through such mediums, he reached audiences beyond Hyderabad, spreading spiritual awareness across India. Public Outreach and Interfaith Dialogue Beyond his role as scholar and Sufi guide, Hazrat Sahvi Shah was a pioneer in interfaith engagement. He founded the Conference of World Religions, a platform that sought to promote dialogue and understanding among different faith traditions. This was a bold step at a time when structured interfaith initiatives were rare in India. His commitment to tolerance and dialogue reflected the inclusive ethos of Sufism and contributed to Hyderabad’s reputation as a city of religious coexistence. Death and Burial On the night of Wednesday, 18th Jamad Thani 1399 AH (15 May 1979 CE), Hazrat Sahvi Shah departed this world at the age of fifty-six. His death was deeply mourned across Hyderabad and among his disciples in other cities. He was laid to rest at Masjid-e-Kareemullah Shah in Begum Bazaar, beside his grandfather. His resting place has since become a site of devotion and reflection, where disciples gather to pay their respects. Legacy and Continuing Influence The spiritual legacy of Hazrat Sahvi Shah continues through his family, particularly his son Hazrat Ghousavi Shah, born on 4 November 1955, who serves as his spiritual successor. Under his guidance, the Baith-Un-Noor Khanqah remains active, organizing the annual Urs of Hazrat Sahvi Shah with lectures, Qawwali, and gatherings that attract seekers from across India. His books remain in circulation and continue to be studied by scholars and devotees alike, extending his influence beyond Hyderabad to a global audience. The Conference of World Religions, founded by him, also remains a testimony to his vision of harmony and coexistence. Through these institutions, Sahvi Shah’s message of love, learning, and spirituality continues to live. Historical and Cultural Significance in Hyderabad Hazrat Maulana Sahvi Shah stands as Hyderabad’s most prominent 20th century Sufi figure. He represented the continuation of a three-generation spiritual dynasty beginning with Hazrat Kareemullah Shah and carried through Hazrat Ghousi Shah to his own leadership, now extending into the present with Hazrat Ghousavi Shah. His contribution lay in preserving classical Islamic learning while making it accessible to modern minds. He enriched Urdu literature, defended Sunni practices, and fostered interfaith dialogue, all while guiding seekers on the path of inner purification. In a city known for its cultural diversity and spiritual heritage, Hazrat Sahvi Shah’s presence added a profound dimension to Hyderabad’s identity. His life and works remain a testament to the enduring relevance of Sufism in addressing both the spiritual and social needs of modern times. ---- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. 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