Hazrat Shahul Hameed Nagori: The Saint of Nagore Whose Miracles and Shrine United Faiths Across South India

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 10 September 2025 Hazrat Syed Shahul Hameed Qadri Nagori (1490–1579), lovingly remembered as Nagore Andavar, is one of the most revered Sufi saints of South India. His maritime miracles, interfaith message, and the grand Nagore Dargah established him as a guiding light of unity, compassion, and spiritual devotion for centuries. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Shahul Hameed was born in 910 AH into a revered Syed family. 2. He served for ten years and received bay‘ah under Hazrat Ghouse Gwaliyari. 3. Hazrat spread Islam across South India with love, service, and sincerity. 4. He influenced Thanjavur’s king, who built his dargah and granted land. 5. Nagore Dargah’s five minarets symbolize unity, attracting interfaith devotees annually. ----- Introduction In the spiritually diverse landscape of 16th-century India, Hazrat Shahul Hameed Nagori emerged as a luminous figure of piety and service. Revered as Nagore Andavar, he brought the Qadiri path of remembrance, humility, and compassion to South India. His teachings, supported by miracles at sea and acts of healing, transcended boundaries of caste and creed. The Nagore Dargah built in his memory became a shared sacred space where Hindus, Muslims, and Christians continue to seek blessings, healing, and interfaith fellowship. Early Life and Family Background Hazrat Shahul Hameed was born on 10th Jamadi-ul-Akhir 910 AH / 1490-1491 CE in Manikpur, in the present-day Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. He was born into a noble Syed family, the 23rd descendant of Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali and Bibi Fatima. His father, Hazrat Syed Hassan Kuthoos, also known as Quddus Baba Qadri, and his mother, Bibi Fathima, ensured that the young Hazrat Shahul Hameed received both religious education and cultural grounding. His family migrated from Mecca to India through the Persian Gulf centuries before his birth, eventually settling in northern India. This spiritual heritage profoundly influenced his upbringing, instilling in him a devotion to God, knowledge of Qur’anic teachings, and service toward people. Spiritual Education and Bay‘ah At the age of 18, Hazrat Shahul Hameed left home to pursue advanced spiritual training. He travelled to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, where he spent a decade under the mentorship of Hazrat Syed Mohammad Ghouse Gwaliyari. There, he received intense instruction in the Shattari path emphasizing dhikr (remembrance), Tawakkul (reliance on God), and Khidmat (service). After completing ten years of training, he was granted Bay’Ah and Khilafat, formally entrusted with the responsibility of spreading the Shattari Silsila. He returned to the Deccan with 404 devoted disciples who accompanied him on his mission to spread spiritual guidance across South India. Teachings and Miracles Hazrat Shahul Hameed’s message focused on unconditional love, service to all, and spiritual discipline rooted in the Quran and Hadith. Fluent in Arabic, Urdu, and Tamil, he spoke to both scholars and commoners, offering a universal message without sectarianism. His most famous miracle involved calming a violent sea storm that threatened fishermen. By raising his staff and invoking God’s name, he is believed to have stilled the waves, granting safe passage to coastal communities. Another renowned miracle includes restoring sight to a blind devotee, which further deepened public reverence for his spiritual gifts. His khanqah became a refuge for the sick and distressed. Stories of his healing and compassion spread rapidly, and his disciples continued documenting these accounts in Tamil and Arabic texts. Relations with Rulers and Spiritual Influence on Achutappa Nayak Hazrat Hameed Nagori influence extended to rulers, most notably Achutappa Nayak, the Thanjavur king who reigned from 1529–1542 CE. The king developed deep respect for Hazrat Shahul Hameed after the saint cured his affliction by removing pins embedded in a tortured pigeon. In gratitude, Achutappa donated 200 acres of land and sponsored the construction of Hazrat Shahul Hameed’s first dargah in Nagore in 1570. Even today, the descendants of Achutappa participate in the annual mussollam ritual during Urs, symbolising a centuries-old bond of reverence and spiritual fellowship. Nagore Dargah and Architectural Heritage The Nagore Dargah is one of South India’s most significant spiritual centres. Its five soaring minarets symbolise the Pancha Peer. The five great saints—while the architectural style integrates Islamic artistry with Tamil influences. The tallest minaret, visible from afar, serves as both a spiritual beacon and coastal guide for seafarers. Inside the complex are a mosque, Sarai for pilgrims, a library with manuscripts dating back to the 17th century, and facilities that cater to spiritual and educational needs. The Dargah’s inscriptions in Dakhani Urdu and Arabic reflect centuries of religious learning and devotion. Annual Urs and Ritual Traditions The Urs is held every year in Shawwal, following Ramadan, and draws over 100,000 devotees from across the region. It begins with the sandal procession and offerings of Chadar, accompanied by recitations, Qawwali sessions, and communal Langar. The Mussollam ritual performed by the royal descendants of Achutappa Nayak is a highlight, symbolising interfaith bonds forged through gratitude. Government dignitaries and spiritual leaders attend the event, reinforcing the shrine’s role in promoting harmony. Disciples and Lineage Hazrat Shahul Hameed’s spiritual legacy expanded through his disciples and adopted family. His primary successor, Hazrat Syed Mohammed Yusuf Sahib known as Yusuf Dhadha. He was born in 959 AH to Hazrat Kazi Noordin of Lahore and Bibi Johara. He married Syed Sultan Beevi and fathered eight children. Today, 1500 descendants, known as Mujawars, serve as custodians of the shrine. Following a hereditary tradition, leadership passes from the first-born of each generation. His teachings spread to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, with replicas of Nagore Dargah built to serve diaspora communities. Literary and Social Contributions In addition to spiritual leadership, Hazrat Shahul Hameed composed poems in Persian and Urdu honouring the Prophet, some of which remain integral to Urs celebrations. His shrine’s library preserves rare manuscripts that illuminate both Islamic scholarship and regional Sufi traditions. The Dargah also oversees educational initiatives, including madrasas, schools, a free hospital, orphanages, and support programs for widows, embodying the Sufi principle of Khidmat. Colonial and Modern Reverence Even during the British colonial period, officials visited the shrine seeking blessings for safe travels. Today, the Dargah attracts pilgrims from government offices, police departments, diplomatic missions, and cultural institutions. It has featured in documentaries and heritage initiatives and is being considered for UNESCO recognition. The shrine’s donations exceed ₹100 million annually, supporting both spiritual and charitable activities. Death and Legacy Hazrat Shahul Hameed passed away in 978 AH / 1570-1571 CE in Nagore. His burial site became a spiritual magnet, with disciples and royal patrons expanding the Dargah into a monumental complex. His legacy endures through spiritual guidance, healing traditions, interfaith rituals, and charitable works. His adopted son Yusuf Dhadha and subsequent descendants continue to steward the shrine, preserving its sanctity. The Nagore Dargah remains a symbol of harmony, healing, and devotion, with replicas across the world ensuring that Hazrat Shahul Hameed’s message of love and service transcends geographical and religious boundaries. Conclusion Hazrat Shahul Hameed Nagori’s life embodies the enduring spirit of South Indian Sufism: devotion rooted in Shariat, miracles that inspire awe, service that uplifts society, and interfaith harmony that transcends divisions. More than four centuries after his passing, the five minarets of Nagore Dargah continue to rise above the Tamil coast as symbols of unity and divine grace. ---- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. 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