Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) is remembered as one of the most celebrated saints of the Indian subcontinent and the spiritual successor of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). He was among the foremost disciples of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz and played a central role in spreading the flame of Islam and divine love that his master had kindled in India. Through his spiritual blessings and piety, he became known as Sultan-ul-Awliya (The King of Saints), and his influence continues to radiate across the world even today.
Early Life of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
Though chroniclers differ regarding the exact date of his birth, the widely accepted view is that Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin was born in 561 AH (1165 CE) in the city of Osh, a town in the region of Mawar-un-Nahr (modern-day Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia). Like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, his noble lineage traces back to the Ahl al-Bayt, being a direct descendant of Imam Hussain (علیہ السلام) through fourteen generations.
His father, Hazrat Kamaluddin, was a saintly figure and well-respected for his spiritual stature. However, destiny willed that Hazrat Qutbuddin would be tested early in life. At the tender age of only one and a half years, his father passed away, leaving him an orphan. It was under the loving care and devotion of his mother that his upbringing continued. Even in his childhood, signs of sainthood and spiritual grace could be seen radiating from his personality.
Education and Training
From an early age, his mother recognized the hidden spiritual qualities in her son and desired to provide him with proper education. One day she requested a neighbor to take the young Qutbuddin to a local maktab (elementary school). On the way, the neighbor was stopped by a mysterious elder who inquired, “Whose child is this?”
When informed that the boy was the son of a widow being taken for schooling, the elder replied, “Leave him to me. I will entrust this child to a teacher who will raise him to greatness.”
The neighbor agreed, and together they took the boy to the residence of Hazrat Abu Hafs, a renowned scholar and spiritual figure of that era, who was well-versed in both outward religious sciences and inner mystical knowledge. When they arrived, the elder placed the young Qutbuddin’s hand into that of Abu Hafs and said: “Abu Hafs, this child is destined to become Sultan-ul-Awliya. Teach him with great attention.” Then the mysterious elder departed.
Abu Hafs, astonished, asked the neighbor, “Do you know who this man was?” The neighbor replied, “No.” Abu Hafs then revealed: *“That was none other than *Hazrat Khidr (علیہ السلام).”
Thus, the formal education of Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki began under miraculous circumstances. Within a short time, he excelled in the religious sciences and soon distinguished himself in both knowledge and spirituality.
Quest for a Spiritual Master
Having attained mastery in outward knowledge, Hazrat Qutbuddin longed for the inner illumination of the heart. With this desire, he set out from Osh in search of a spiritual guide and eventually reached Baghdad, which at that time was the center of Islamic learning and spirituality.
There, he was blessed to meet Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ). Under his guidance, Hazrat Qutbuddin pledged allegiance (bay‘ah) and became one of his most devoted disciples. He spent considerable time in his master’s company, receiving spiritual training, traversing the stages of the Sufi path, and filling his heart with the light of divine gnosis.
Journey to India
When Khwaja Gharib Nawaz migrated to India, Qutbuddin’s heart ached in separation. Unable to bear the distance from his beloved master, he too left his homeland and set out towards India. After a long and arduous journey, he first arrived in Multan, where Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) hosted him with great honor.
When he later decided to continue his journey to Delhi, Sultan Nasiruddin Qabacha and the people of Multan pleaded with him to stay. However, his love for his master propelled him forward, and he pressed on until he reached Delhi. From there, he wrote a letter to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti expressing his longing to be in his presence.
In reply, Khwaja Gharib Nawaz wrote back:
“Once the bond of spiritual closeness is established, physical presence holds no meaning. Remain in Delhi, and we shall come to you.”
Obeying his master’s command, Hazrat Qutbuddin made Delhi his permanent abode.
Stay in Delhi
Initially, he settled near the banks of the River Yamuna at Kalughari, outside Delhi. His fame as a saint spread rapidly, drawing people from all walks of life to his gatherings. Even the Sultan of Delhi, Shamsuddin Iltutmish, visited him with utmost humility and requested him to move into the city. Though Hazrat Qutbuddin declined at first, citing water shortage in the city, he eventually agreed upon the Sultan’s insistence.
Within Delhi, Sultan Iltutmish provided him with a suitable place to reside. Soon, nobles, scholars, and commoners alike began flocking to him, and the Sultan himself pledged allegiance at his hands.
Refusal of the Post of Shaykh-ul-Islam
When the post of Shaykh-ul-Islam fell vacant after the death of Jamaluddin Bustami, Sultan Iltutmish offered it to Hazrat Qutbuddin. With characteristic humility, he refused the position. Instead, it was given to Shaykh Najmuddin Sugra.
However, Najmuddin, despite being a devout man, allowed jealousy to enter his heart against Hazrat Qutbuddin, as the latter’s popularity continued to grow. His envy intensified to the extent that he distanced himself even from Khwaja Gharib Nawaz when the great saint visited Delhi. Witnessing this, Khwaja Gharib Nawaz remarked: “It seems this office of Shaykh-ul-Islam has corrupted your humility.”
Later, Khwaja Gharib Nawaz instructed Qutbuddin to accompany him back to Ajmer. But when the people of Delhi heard of this, they wept, pleaded, and implored that he remain among them. Seeing their sincere devotion, Khwaja Moinuddin relented and ordered his disciple to stay in Delhi permanently.
Devotion, Worship, and Asceticism
Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki was known for his intense devotion. From his youth, he would pray 250 rak‘ahs daily and recite salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ 3000 times each day. His spiritual discipline was extraordinary, and he often concealed his worship from others, advising his disciples not to seek fame through visible acts of devotion.
Encounter with Khidr (علیہ السلام)
Even in his youth, Hazrat Qutbuddin was eager to meet Hazrat Khidr (علیہ السلام). He was told that Khidr often appeared near a certain tower at night. With hope, he spent the entire night there in worship, but Khidr did not appear. On his way home, he met a man who pointed him towards a venerable elder walking nearby. The man introduced the elder, saying: “This young seeker is longing to meet you.”
Hazrat Qutbuddin instantly realized that the elder was indeed Khidr (علیہ السلام). He was overjoyed at this blessed encounter, which further strengthened his devotion to worship and solitude.
Passing Away in a State of Ecstasy
Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki was deeply moved by sama‘ (spiritual music and qawwali). He often attended gatherings where his heart would overflow with divine ecstasy. A Persian couplet particularly affected him:
“For those slain by the dagger of submission,
Every moment brings a new life from the unseen.”
Whenever this verse was sung, he would lose consciousness. One day, at a sama‘ gathering hosted by his disciple Hazrat Ali Sanjari, the same couplet was sung. Overcome with ecstasy, his soul departed to the eternal realm.
As per his instructions, if his soul did not return within three days after the call of adhan was recited into his ear, he should be buried. His disciples followed his will, and he was laid to rest in Delhi on 14th Rabi‘ al-Awwal, 653 AH (1255 CE), on a Sunday night.
Legacy
Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki’s successor was Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), who carried forward his mission and spread the Chishti order even further across the subcontinent. Today, his shrine in Delhi is a place of immense reverence, where people of all backgrounds come to seek blessings and spiritual solace.
His life remains a shining example of humility, devotion, and unwavering love for God and His Messenger ﷺ.
Reappearance in the Era of Imam Mahdi Gohar Shahi
According to the representative of Imam Mahdi, His Holiness Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi, namely Younus AlGohar, it is believed that Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) will return to the world during the era of Imam Mahdi Gohar Shahi. In that blessed time, he will attain the honor of meeting Imam Mahdi and will also support him in his divine mission.
Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki Urs Date
Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (RA) was a great Sufi saint of the Indian subcontinent and the distinguished spiritual successor (Khalifa) of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA). His sacred shrine is located in Mehrauli, Delhi (India) — one of the oldest centers of Sufism in South Asia. Every year, his Urs (death anniversary) is celebrated with deep devotion and respect on the 14th of Rabi al-Awwal. During the Urs, thousands of devotees visit the shrine; gatherings of Naats and Manqabats (poems in praise of saints) are held, and rituals of chadar poshi (offering of a ceremonial sheet) and niyaz (charity food) take place. The entire atmosphere of Delhi becomes filled with spirituality and the love of saints, as people from far and wide come to seek blessings and divine grace.