Saint, Scholar, Healer and Reformer: Remembering Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq of Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 14 May 2025 Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq was a saintly figure known for his spiritual lineage, social contributions, simplicity, and devotion, leaving a lasting legacy in Sitapur through service, scholarship, and construction. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq was the elder son of Hazrat Syed Shah Aulad-e-Rasool. 2. He received spiritual training from his father and uncle. 3. He contributed to social welfare through well-building and land development. 4. He established a printing press for Islamic literature. 5. He lived humbly and avoided rulers. ----- IMAGE CAPTION: Khanqah-e-Barakatiyya, Marehra Sharif, Uttar Pradesh ------ Introduction Hazrat Sayyid Shah Muhammad Sadiq was a highly respected and known Sufi saint, scholar, and spiritual successor of the great Qadiriyya–Barkaatiyya Sufi family of Marehra Sharif, a city in Uttar Pradesh. He was the eldest son of Hazrat Syed Shah Aulad-e-Rasool Marehrawi, the Sajjadanashin of the well-known dargah at Marehra Sharif, and a man of great religious, spiritual, and social stature in 19th century Awadh. Born on the 7th of Ramadan in 1248 Hijri (29 January 1832), he was blessed with the nobility of his ancestors and the rich spiritual traditions of the Qadiriyya-Barkaatiyya Silsila (spiritual order). Education, Spiritual Training and Medical Expertise Since childhood, Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq was surrounded by spiritual and scholarly education under close observation by his father. Formal spiritual bay'ah (initiation) and khilafat (succession) were conferred upon him by his paternal uncle and spiritual master, Hazrat Sayyid Shah Ghulam Muhiyyuddin Ameer Alam. Also, he received ijazah and khilafat from his renowned father Hazrat Syed Shah Aulad-e-Rasool Marehrawi and paternal uncle Khatim al-Akabir Hazrat Syed Shah Aal-e-Rasool Ahmadi Marehrawi, hence double blessed with religious authority in the Qadiriyya-Barkaatiyya silsila. Not just a spiritual teacher but also a well-read expert practitioner of the Unani medicine. He learned his basic training in the medical sciences from his uncle and father, especially Hazrat Syed Shah Aal-e-Rasool Barkaati Marehrawi. His medical understanding was further enhanced through the lectures of the renowned scholar and physician Saifullahil Maslool Hazrat Allama Shah Fazl-e-Rasool Badayuni. This is a very unique combination of religious and medicinal education that helped him serve the body as well as the soul of his disciples. A Life of Service in Sitapur Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq lived almost 45 years of his life in Sitapur, a city of Uttar Pradesh, where he himself became a symbol of piety, discipline, and public service. He was greatly devoted to maintaining the customs and practices of his spiritual forebears. He obediently followed the family traditions and schedule all through his life, never deviating from the routine of prayers, teachings, or public commitments. One of his key contributions was the building of public facilities, especially wells. Motivated by the need for the well-being of the masses, he commissioned several wells for water for drinking and irrigation purposes. His interest in horticulture prompted him to cultivate orchards, and he greatly extended his estate through the acquisition of agricultural properties and houses. His infrastructural contributions included renovation of religious shrines at Marehra Sharif, most famously the Sajjadgi Mahal Saraay and parts of the Khanqah and Dargan complex. When his dear son, Hazrat Syed Shah Ismail Hasan, became a Hafiz and finished the memorization of the Holy Qur'an Sharif, he thanked Allah by building a grand mosque. This mosque remains to this day as a reflection of his faith, piety, and architectural imagination. Literary Contributions and Printing Press In order to encourage Islamic scholarship and the spread of Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat faith, Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq founded the Matba Subh-e-Sadiq (Subh-e-Sadiq Printing Press) at Sitapur. The printing press was instrumental in publishing religious and theological works that reached scholars and masses alike, consolidating Sunni scholarship and Barkaatiyya tradition amidst increasing religious pluralism and colonial tensions. Personal Character and Ethics In physical looks as well as in moral character, he was a replica of his ancestors' excellence. Simple, humble, and forgiving, Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq lived a life of profound spirituality amidst wealth, status, and knowledge. He preferred to keep away from rulers and elites, and instead, he found solace among the poor and the oppressed. His home was a refuge for those in need, and his largesse made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Family Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq was wed to Hazrat Sakina Begum before her father's death, the child of his uncle and peer (spiritual guide), Hazrat Syed Shah Ghulam Muhiyyuddin before his passing. His marriage was both sacred and familial, joining two noble stems of the same blessed lineage. They were blessed with two sons: Hazrat Syed Shah Abul Qasim Muhammad Ismail Hasan alias Shah Ji Miyan and Hazrat Syed Shah Abul Kazim Muhammad Idris Hasan alias Suthre Miyan. They were blessed with five daughters: Imdad Fatima Haidari Begum, Tufail Fatima Abrar Begum, Ehtisham Fatima Syeda Begum, Ummul Fatima and Anzar Fatima These kids carried on the holy heritage of their father, propagating the work of the Barkaatiyya Silsila during their respective ages and roles. Death and Legacy Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq died on Thursday night, 24th Shawwal 1326 Hijri (19th November 1908) at Sitapur. His sacred graveyard is located within the same city, which was later made into a place of spiritual journeying for devotees and seekers alike. Ameen-e-Millat Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Ameen Miyan Quadri Barkaati, in his recent years of life, entrusted the overall modernization of Dargan’s complex with protecting the sanctity and legacy of the saint and its continuity from generation to another. Among his Khulafaa (spiritual successors), two names are well-documented: Hazrat Syed Shah Ismail Hasan alias Shah Ji Miyan and Hazrat Syed Shah Idris Hasan. Conclusion The life of Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sadiq is a unique blend of spirituality, scholarship, public service, and humility. Whether through his devotion to religious education, his role in promoting public welfare through waterworks, his commitment to the revival of printing and publication, or his humble yet dignified way of living, he was a beacon of inspiration to his people. His legacy still lives on in the hearts of adherents to the Barkaatiyya Silsila, and his name remains ingrained in the cultural and religious heritage of Sitapur and far beyond. ----- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is the author of 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', a research book based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. 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