Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadiri Lahori: The Farmer Sufi Who Raised Bulleh Shah and Defied Caste in Mughal Punjab

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 14 July 2025 Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadiri (1643–1728) was a prominent Punjabi Sufi saint associated with the Qadiri-Shattari order. Born in Kasur, he was deeply respected for his spiritual wisdom, humility, and commitment to social justice. He is most widely known as the spiritual guide of Hazrat Bulleh Shah, the great Punjabi Sufi poet. Hazrat Shah Inayat emphasized divine love, human equality, and inner purity over ritualism and religious formalism. Main Points: 1. Born in Kasur, from a humble Arain agricultural family 2. Took bay‘ah from Hazrat Shah Muhammad Raza Qadiri Shattari in Kasur 3. Migrated to Lahore, became Imam of the Oonchi Masjid 4. Bulleh Shah’s spritual guide, rejected caste, promoted divine love 5. Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadiri died in 1728 and was buried in Mozang Chungi, Lahore. ------ Introduction Among the greatest spiritual figures in Indian Sufism, Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadiri stands as a symbol of humility, wisdom, and fearless truth. Though he came from a humble agricultural background, he rose to prominence as a spiritual master whose teachings shaped the life of the legendary Punjabi poet Bulleh Shah. Through the Qadiri and Shattari paths, Hazrat Shah Inayat taught that divine love transcends rituals and lineage. His life is a rare example of someone who cultivated both land and hearts—sowing crops for survival and sowing light for generations. Early Life and Spiritual Journey Hazrat Shah Inayat was born in 1643 CE in Kasur, Punjab, into an Arain family of farmers. His father, Hazrat Pir Muhammad was a respected imam who gave him early training in Arabic and Persian. Even as a child, Hazrat Shah Inayat showed signs of deep spiritual yearning. Though his family did not belong to the traditional religious elite, his dedication to knowledge and devotion gave him the respect that lineage never could. He took bay‘ah under Hazrat Shah Muhammad Raza Qadiri Shattari, a saint who held spiritual authority in both the Qadiri and Shattari Sufi orders. Hazrat Shah Inayat was granted ijazah (permission to guide) and khilafah (succession) in both silsilas. The Qadiri path emphasized ecstatic love (ishq), while the Shattari path emphasized silent inner realization. Hazrat Shah Inayat lived both. His spiritual life was built on fana (self-annihilation), zikr, simplicity, and service. Political and religious pressures in Kasur forced him to migrate. He came into conflict with Nawab Hussain Khan and orthodox clerics, possibly because of his open-door teachings. Shah Inayat then moved to Lahore, where he became the imam of the Oonchi Masjid near Bhati Gate, and founded a madrasa for seekers of all social classes. From here, he taught quietly, worked in the fields, and shaped lives. Teachings, Disciples and Beliefs Hazrat Shah Inayat’s message was direct and powerful: caste, wealth, and lineage mean nothing before the Divine. What matters is the heart’s truth, one’s inner state, and service to creation. He rejected the rigid formalism of scholars who prioritized appearances over soul. He discouraged dependence on rituals and emphasized love (ishq) as the true path to God. His most well-known disciple was Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah, a Syedd by birth. Hazrat Bulleh Shah’s decision to become a disciple of Hazrat Shah Inayat, an Arain farmer, led to his social boycott. But for Bulleh Shah, Inayat was the only path to spiritual truth. When Hazrat Shah Inayat initially rejected him—perhaps to test his inner resolve—Bulleh Shah spent 12 years among dancers and outcasts, performing penance until he finally accepted him. This reunion inspired many of Bulleh Shah’s most profound verses, including: “Tere Ishq Nachaya” (Your love made me dance) “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya” (My beloved has returned home) While not confirmed through manuscripts, oral traditions also suggest that Waris Shah, the author of Heer Ranjha, may have had spiritual contact with Hazrat Shah Inayat. Writings and Spiritual Legacy Hazrat Shah Inayat was a Persian scholar and Sufi author. His known works include: Dastur-ul-Amal – practical guide for seekers Islah-ul-Amal – ethical reform of the inner self Lataif-e-Ghaibya – insights into hidden spiritual states Isharat-ul-Talibin – signs and advice for true aspirants Azkar-e-Qadria – litanies and practices of the Qadiri order Majmu‘a-e-Irfani and Hawashi Jawahir-e-Khamsa – deep mystical treatises One Persian manuscript signed by him is dated 1127 AH (1715 CE) and survives in private collections, proving the authenticity of his scholarly contributions. His writing was not just for the elite—it was practical, accessible, and rooted in lived spirituality. He insisted on tazkiyah (purification) and ikhlas (sincerity) in all actions. Family, Death, and Shrine Though historical documents do not preserve the name of his wife, it is known that Shah Inayat was married and had two sons, whose graves lie beside his own at his shrine in Mozang Chungi, Lahore. His life remained grounded—he neither sought political support nor built a cult of personality. His shrine is modest in architecture, reflecting his own values—plain white dome, no grandeur, but filled with light. His Urs is observed annually with gatherings for zikr, qawwali, langar, and collective remembrance. People from all communities, castes, and religions visit. Enduring Influence Hazrat Shah Inayat passed away in 1728 CE at the age of around 85 years. His legacy continues—through Bulleh Shah’s verses, through Sufi gatherings, and through scholarly work in Punjab and beyond. He is remembered today not only as a Sufi teacher, but as a rebel against social division, a voice of divine justice, and a guardian of inner truth. He remains one of those rare saints whose hands tilled soil and whose words tilled souls. ---- Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-shah-inayat-lahori-sufi-bulleh-shah-caste-mughal/d/136169 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