Hazrat Syed Shah Raju Qattal Hussaini: The Hidden Qutb Whose Silence Guided Thrones and Seekers of the Deccan

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 13 June 2025 Among the quiet yet commanding figures of Sufism in Deccan, Hazrat Syed Shah Raju Qattal al-Hussaini occupies a place of silent depth and immense spiritual legacy. A guide of kings and a conqueror of the lower self, his life remains largely unknown outside Hyderabad, despite his influence reaching into the very heart of the Qutb Shahi court. Main Points: 1. Born 1002 AH in Bijapur, a Hussaini Syed 2. Disciple of uncle Hazrat Syed Akbar Mohammed 3. Spiritual guide to Hazrat Shah Abdullah and Hazrat Abul Hasan Qutb Shah 4. Known as “Qattal” for his inner spiritual discipline 5. Resting at Misri Gunj, Hyderabad in a grand Dargah ------ Introduction Hazrat Syed Shah Raju Qattal al-Hussaini, born in the Deccan city of Bijapur in 1002 AH (1593–94 CE), was a saint whose quiet discipline shaped the spiritual temperament of an entire era. Descended from Hazrat Khwaja al-Hussaini Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz Gulbargavi in the eighth generation, he embodied the inner currents of both the Chishtiyya and Suhrawardiyya traditions. His spiritual depth, simple lifestyle, and mastery over the nafs earned him the unique title Qattal, not for harming others, but for annihilating the ego. Revered by both rulers and seekers, his Dargah in Misri Gunj remains a living symbol of Deccan’s enduring Sufi soul. Early Life and Family Background He was born into a highly respected family of scholars and saints in Bijapur, in the present-day Karnataka region. His full name was Hazrat Syed Shah Raju Mohammed al-Hussaini Qattal. His father was Hazrat Syed Shah Safirullah Hussaini, and according to some source, his grandfather was Hazrat Syed Shah Asadullah Hussaini. The family traced its lineage to Hazrat Imam Hussain ibn Imam Ali and held close spiritual ties with the Hazrat Khwaja al-Hussaini Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz Gulbargavi. From childhood, he was under the tutelage of his paternal uncle and spiritual master, Hazrat Syed Akbar Mohammed al-Hussaini, a figure of deep learning and mystic insight. Education and Spiritual Training Hazrat Shah Raju Qattal was trained both in Zahiri (exoteric) and Batini (esoteric) knowledge. He memorised the Qur’an, studied Hadith, and immersed himself in tafsir, Fiqh, and Tasawwuf (Sufism) under the close supervision of his uncle. This dual training grounded him in both Islamic scholarship and the rigorous inward discipline required of a Sufi seeker. His Bay’Ah connected him to the Chishtiyya and Suhrawardiyya Silsila, flowing through Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Auliya Chishti and Hazrat Khwaja al-Hussaini Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz Gulbargavi. He eventually took Bay’Ah (spiritual pledge) at the hands of his uncle and remained in his close company until being appointed as a Khalifa (spiritual successor). Migration, Influence, and Spiritual Reach After completing his spiritual training in Bijapur, Hazrat Raju Qattal migrated to Hyderabad with his uncle. There, he became an integral part of the spiritual circles of the Qutb Shahi capital. His reputation for asceticism and sincerity attracted many seekers, including the ruling elite. He became the spiritual guide of two successive Qutb Shahi rulers, Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah and his son, Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Though respected at court, Hazrat Shah Raju Qattal remained distant from worldly matters, instead focusing on inner reform and spiritual counsel. He emphasised discipline, silence, and remembrance of God over public preaching. Teachings, Practices, and Karamat The core of Hazrat Qattal’s teachings was centred on Zuhd (detachment), Mujahida (spiritual struggle), and absolute self-restraint. His disciples knew him for his fierce battle with the ego hence the Laqab Qattal, meaning “slayer” of the self. He practiced regular dhikr, long sessions of Muraqaba (meditation), and encouraged sama (spiritual music) as a tool for inward elevation. One of the most well-known spiritual incidents (Karamat) associated with him involved a Sama gathering where he walked unharmed over burning coals a moment remembered as symbolic of his inner purity and control. He authored several works in Persian including Tuhfat-al-Nasa’ih (a collection of spiritual advice), Deewan-e-Raja (a poetic compilation), Masnavi-e-Raja, and Suhagannama, a mystical allegory that continues to echo in Deccan’s Khanqahs. Death and Legacy Hazrat Syed Shah Raju Qattal passed away in Hyderabad. Some traditions suggest he died in the vicinity of Nampally, while others point to Khuldabad. His final resting place is in Misri Gunj, Hyderabad, where a grand three-storey dargah was constructed under the orders of his royal disciple Hazrat Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. The structure features a dome rising 165 feet, one of the most striking Dargahs in the city. His 4-day annual Urs is observed from the 13th to 16th of Safar of Islamic calendar, attended by thousands of devotees. The Dargah is currently under the management of the Telangana State Waqf Board and remains a site of daily spiritual activity. He is remembered not only through his own writings but also in texts such as Sair-e-Muhammadi, Rauzat al-Auliya, Tuzk-e-Mahbubiya, and Armagan-e-Sultaani. His Manqabats and Qisas are still told in gatherings across the Deccan. ---- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. 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