Hazrat Meer Syed Mohammad Kalpwi Tirmizi: Sufi Scholar, Saint, and Spiritual Luminary

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 10 April 2025 17th-Century Indian Sufi Saint; Founded Khanqah Muhammadiyah Kalpiyya of Kalpi, Uttar Pradesh; Spiritual Leader In Multiple Orders; Authored Works On Divine Names And Sufi Practices; Transformed Lives Through Miracles; Legacy Endures In Kalpi Through His Mausoleum And Disciples Main Points: 1. Trained in Hadith and Sufism under scholars like Shaikh Muhammad Younus Mohaddees and Shaikh Jamalul Auliya, becoming a polymath (Aalim and Faadhil). 2. Granted Khilafat (leadership) in five Sufi orders (Qadri, Chishti, Suharwardi, Naqshbandi, Madari) and founded the Khanqah Muhammadiyah Kalpiyya. 3. Authored works like Jaami’ul Kalam (on Allah’s names) and Diwaan-e-Sher (Persian poetry), blending theology and mysticism. 4. Transformed sinners through spiritual grace (Karaamat), exemplified by a repentant disciple who became his attendant. 5. Mausoleum in Kalpi remains a pilgrimage site; sons and disciples propagated his teachings across India. ---- Meer Syed Mohammad Kalpwi, of Uttar Pradesh, also revered as Meer Syed Ahmed Kalpwi Tirmizi, stands as a monumental figure within the Islamic spiritual tradition, particularly in the Silsila Aaliyah Qadiriyya Barakatiya Razviya Nooriya. As the 30th Imam and Shaykh of Tariqat, his life and works epitomised the synthesis of scholarly rigour and Sufi mysticism. Founding the Khanqah Muhammadiyah Kalpiyya in Kalpi, Uttar Pradesh, he established a spiritual and intellectual hub that continues to resonate with devotees and scholars alike. This article delves into his early life, spiritual journey, literary contributions, and enduring legacy, contextualising his role in the broader tapestry of Indian Sufism. Born in 1593 in Kalpi, Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, India, Hazrat Meer Syed Mohammad Kalpwi hailed from a lineage steeped in Islamic scholarship. His father, Hazrat Syed Abi Saeed bin Baha-ud-deen bin Imaad-ud-deen al-Hasani Tirmizi, was a distinguished scholar who laid the foundation for his son’s early education. Under his father’s guidance, Hazrat Kalpwi imbibed the principles of Quranic studies, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence. At the age of seven, his mother entrusted him to Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Younus Mohaddees, a revered Hadith scholar, under whom he underwent rigorous training in prophetic traditions (Hadith) and earned his Sanad (certification). Seeking deeper knowledge, he journeyed to Jehanabad, where he studied under Shaikh Jamalul Auliya, a luminary of Sufi thought. This phase honed his expertise in both exoteric (zahir) and esoteric (batin) sciences, earning him the titles of Aalim (scholar) and Faadhil . His academic journey was further enriched under Hazrat Afzal bin Abdur Rahmaan Ilaahabadi, a Khalifa of his father, who nurtured his pedagogical skills. By the time he completed his education, Hazrat Kalpwi had emerged as a polymath, equally adept in theology, mysticism, and teaching. Hazrat Kalpwi’s spiritual lineage is rooted in his initiation into the Sufi path by his father, Hazrat Meer Sayyid Muhammad Kalpwi. Remarkably, he was granted Khilafat (spiritual succession) at the age of 24, a testament to his precocious spiritual maturity. His authority extended across multiple Sufi orders, a rare feat that underscored his universal appeal. He received the caliphate of the Naqshbandi Ahrari order from Khwaja Sayyid Amir Abul Ula Naqshbandi, in addition to being recognised as a spiritual successor in the Qadri, Chishti, Suharwardi, and Madari traditions. His leadership within the Silsila Aaliyah Qadiriyah Barakatiya Razviya Nooriya was marked by an unwavering commitment to the Sunnah and a profound connection to the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. This connection symbolised his dedication to bridging scholarly discipline with Sufi devotion, fostering a tradition that emphasised both outward observance and inner transformation. Hazrat Kalpwi’s intellectual legacy is enshrined in his contributions to Sufi literature, which blend theological depth with mystical insight. Among his notable works: (1) Tafseer Surah Fatiha in Arabic, (2) Tafseer Surah Yusuf, (3) Kitaab al-Atarwaah in Arabic, (4) Risaala Tahqeeq-e-Rooh in Farsi, (5) Risaala Wahdat al-Wujood in Arabic, (6) Irshaad al-Saalikeen in Farsi, (7) Risaala al-Ghina in Farsi, (8) Risaala Aqaid-e-Sufiya (published), (9) Risaala Waaqiaat in Arabic, (10) Risaala Amal wal-Amal in Farsi, (11) Risaala Shughul-e-Kooza in Farsi, (12) Haqaa’iq o Ma’rifat in Farsi, (13) Maratib al-Ghina wal-Wusool ila Allah Subhanahu in Farsi. These works, preserved through centuries, remain seminal resources for Sufi practitioners, offering both doctrinal clarity and contemplative depth. Hazrat Kalpwi’s life was punctuated by accounts of karaamat (spiritual miracles), which reinforced his stature as a Wali (friend of Allah). One such narrative involves a notorious sinner who resolved to test Hazrat Kalpwi’s spiritual potency. The man vowed to repent if affected by the saint’s gaze; otherwise, he would publicly indulge in sin. Upon arriving at Kalpi Shareef (Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh), Hazrat Kalpwi’s mere glance rendered him unconscious. Recognising his sincerity, Hazrat Kalpwi gifted him a cloak (khirqa), symbolising spiritual investiture. Initially refusing out of humility, the man relented when Hazrat Kalpwi admonished, “How do you know what is in it?” Upon wearing it, he experienced profound mystical revelations, eventually becoming a devoted Khaadim (attendant) at the Khanqah. This episode illustrates Hazrat Kalpwi’s ability to catalyse spiritual metamorphosis through grace. Blessed with three sons, Hazrat Syedd Shah Fazlullah, Hazrat Sayyid Shah Sultan Maqsood, and Hazrat Sayyid Shah Sultan Mahmood, Hazrat Kalpwi ensured his legacy endured through his lineage. All three sons distinguished themselves as scholars and spiritual guides, perpetuating their father’s mission of disseminating Islamic teachings. Their contributions reinforced the Kalpiyya Khanqah’s role as a beacon of spiritual and intellectual excellence. Kalpwi’s influence radiated through a network of disciples and successors, each instrumental in propagating his teachings. Notable among them were Shaikh Muhammad Afzal Allahabadi, a scholar of Hadith; Aashiq Muhammad and Haji Junaid, who spread the Qadiriyya tradition; and Haafiz Zia’ullāh Bilgrami and Shaikh Abdul Hafeez Bilgrami, renowned for their literary contributions. Others, such as Meer Muhammad Waris Nizamabadi and Shaikh Kamaal Karakati, established subsidiary centres, ensuring the geographical expansion of his spiritual order. Hazrat Meer Syed Mohammad Kalpwi passed away on 19th Safar al-Muzaffar, 1084 AH (1661 CE), with historical accounts noting his demise on either a Monday or Thursday, days of spiritual significance in Islam. His Mazaar Sharif (Shrine) in Kalpi Shareef, Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, India remains a pilgrimage site, attracting devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace. Hazrat Meer Syed Mohammad Kalpwi’s life embodies the quintessence of Sufi ideals, scholarship, devotion, and transformative leadership. His multifaceted contributions to Islamic mysticism, coupled with his role in nurturing a lineage of scholars and saints, cement his position as a cornerstone of the Qadiriyya Barakatiya Razviya Nooriya tradition. As his Khanqah continues to thrive, Hazrat Kalpwi’s legacy endures as a testament to the timeless relevance of Sufism in navigating the interplay between divine love and earthly existence. References: Lahori, Ghulam Sarwar. Khazinat-ul-Asfiya. Munshi Naval Kishor, 1894. Rizvi, Abdul Mujtaba. Tazkira-e-Mashaikh-e-Qadriyya Barakatia Rizvia. Al-Majmaul Misbah Mobarakpur, 2002. MyIslamicInfo. (2020, April). حضرتمیرسیدمحمدکالپویرحمۃاللہعلیہ. https://www.myislamicinfo.in/2020/04/blog-post_193.html Alahazrat Network. (n.d.). Hazrat Meer Syed Ahmad Kalpwi. Retrieved from https://alahazrat.net/personalities/hazrat-meer-syed-ahmad-kalpwi/ ----- 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-meer-kalpwi-tirmizi-sufi-spiritual-luminary/d/135110 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