Shah Inayat Qadri (Punjabi: [ʃaːɦ ɪnaː'jət qaːdɾi]; c. 1643 – 1728) was a Punjabi Muslim Sufi saint, scholar, and philosopher of the Qadri Shattari lineage. He composed most of his philosophical writings in Persian. Shah Inayat Qadri is best known as the spiritual guide of the renowned Punjabi poets Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah.
Birth of shah Inayat Shatari
The noble father of Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri Shattari was Maulvi Pir Muhammad.Outside the madrasa of Hazrat Maulvi Pir Muhammad, a wandering dervish would come every day after the Fajr prayer. Out of love and devotion, he would greet Pir Muhammad, kiss his hand, and say:
"Pir Muhammad, soon a son will be born to you who will be unique in the world of Sufism. Your family, and both the people of religion and the worldly, will be proud of him. In the sight of Allah, he will have a lofty rank, and people will seek blessings at his feet."
That prophecy came true when Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri Shattari was born in 1643 , in Kasur city which is Located near Lahore , pakistan. His father named him Muhammad Inayat. From the very moment of his birth, the blessed child was engaged in the remembrance of Allah, and his eyes were raised towards the heavens. When his mother witnessed this scene, she began reciting SubhanAllah. Thereafter, whenever she recited SubhanAllah, the child’s heart would immediately echo with divine remembrance.
Early Life and Education
Hazrat Shah Inayat’s style of explaining the Qur’an and Hadith was extremely captivating. His eyes shone like twinkling stars, radiating light, and his blessed body exuded a fragrant perfume.
He preferred solitude, meeting people rarely, and spent most of his time in study. He received religious education from the renowned scholars of his time and excelled in it. However, shortly after completing his studies, his beloved mother passed away. Deeply grieved, he left his home and turned towards journeys of reflection and spiritual exploration.
During this time, he met Hazrat Muhammad Raza Shah Qadri Shattari, a great master of Sufism in Lahore. Hazrat Muhammad Raza Shah was like a fountain of divine blessings, and seekers from faraway places would come to quench their thirst for knowledge and spirituality in his company.
Through his guidance and spiritual attention, Hazrat Shah Inayat’s life transformed, and in a short span he attained the rank of a perfect saint (Wilayat-e-Kamil). Hazrat Muhammad Raza Shah honored him with the robe of khilafat and seated him on the throne of spiritual guidance. Hazrat Shah Inayat’s love for his Pir-o-Murshid was immense — he considered his teacher the light of his eyes.
Migration to Kasur and Growth of His Circle
On receiving khilafat, Hazrat Shah Inayat was instructed by his Murshid to move to Kasur and engage in teaching and guidance. Though his family and property were in Lahore, he left everything behind and obeyed his teacher’s command.
In Kasur, he began spreading religious knowledge, and people flocked to him in large numbers. Soon his fame spread far and wide, and countless people joined his circle of disciples.
But the ruler of Kasur, driven by jealousy and the instigation of his courtiers, sought to harm him. Yet every scheme failed, which only increased the ruler’s hostility.
Marriage to the Daughter of a Courtesan
In Kasur, there lived a famous courtesan and dancer in the ruler’s court. Although she was bound to her profession, her heart detested it. She had a beautiful young daughter whom she secretly sent to a madrasa to receive religious education. The daughter not only excelled in Islamic sciences but also developed a deep interest in spiritual knowledge.
One day, the courtesan came with her daughter to Hazrat Shah Inayat, crying bitterly. She said:
"O master, I am a sinner. The world knows I spent my life in sin. But I kept this daughter pure, far from my filth, and gave her religious education. She is innocent and virtuous. Now the ruler of Kasur has cast his eyes on her and wants to force her into immorality. I wish to save her honor. Please marry her so she remains forever protected."
Hazrat Shah Inayat entered spiritual meditation (muraqaba) to seek divine guidance. A command came: “Take this girl as your wife.” Thus, he married her at once.
When this news spread, the ruler of Kasur grew enraged and plotted revenge. He manipulated the courtesan’s relatives to file a false case, accusing Hazrat Shah Inayat of forcing the marriage. The ruler decreed that Hazrat Shah Inayat must either divorce the girl, leave Kasur, or face execution.
Hazrat Shah Inayat accepted exile from Kasur, declaring:
"Remember, Nawab Hussain Khan, the ruler of Kasur, has expelled us today, but soon Allah will expel him from this world. His enmity with a faqir will remain an eternal lesson for mankind."
Thousands of disciples wept, clung to his feet, and begged him to stay, but he departed for Lahore. As foretold, Nawab Hussain Khan was later killed secretly by fishermen bribed by his enemies, fulfilling Hazrat’s prophecy.
Settlement in Lahore
Hazrat Shah Inayat settled in the area of Mozang, Lahore (now Shahr-e-Fatima Jinnah). There stood a small mosque and two wells. From there, his light of guidance spread widely, and many miracles (karamat) manifested from him. After his passing, he was buried there, and his shrine still stands as a beacon of spirituality.
The Bond with Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah (رحمت اللہ علیہ)
When Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah came to Lahore, he presented himself before Hazrat Shah Inayat and attended his teachings. After the session ended, when everyone left, Bulleh Shah remained. Hazrat Shah Inayat, through spiritual unveiling (kashf), already knew his intention, but still asked:
"Young man, what is your matter? Everyone else has gone, you too should return home."
Bulleh Shah replied:
"I have not come to leave, but to stay at your feet. I wish to become your servant. I have traveled a long way to be here."
Hearing this, Hazrat Shah Inayat smiled and said:
"Indeed, you have come from afar, but we have no arrangements for guests."
Bulleh Shah humbly answered:
"I have not come as a guest, but as your servant."
Impressed by his sincerity, Hazrat Shah Inayat blessed him with discipleship (bayt). From then on, Bulleh Shah lived immersed in the love of his Murshid, seeing nothing in the world except his master.
Bulleh Shah expressed this state in his verses:
"The color my master dyed me with is so deep that I see nothing but him everywhere."
He often referred to Shah Inayat with titles such as Haadi (the guide), Dilbar (beloved), Sajan (friend), and Yaar (companion). For Bulleh Shah, his Murshid was the true knower of Allah, the owner of his soul, and like the philosopher’s stone (Paras) that turns iron into gold.
So intense was his love that he rejected worldly attachments, refused marriage, and abandoned family responsibilities, dedicating himself entirely to remembrance of Allah and praise of his Murshid. His relatives opposed this devotion, but his passion never diminished.
Work of Shah Inayat
Shah Inayat is remembered as a preacher, teacher, thinker, and Sufi saint. A short book about his life was published in Lahore in 1984. He studied and taught islam and Sufism, and he wrote mostly in Persian and Punjabi. Some of his well-known writings are:
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Dasturul Amal
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Islahul Amal
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Lataif-e-Ghaibya
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Isharatul Taliban
Shah Inayat Qadri Shatari Shrine
Urs Date of Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri Shattari (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)
The annual Urs of Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri Shattari (رح) is held every year with great devotion and reverence from 25th to 27th Jamadi al-Thani at his sacred shrine located in Mazang Chungi, Queen’s Road, Lahore, Pakistan. This three-day spiritual gathering is among the most blessed and vibrant Sufi festivals of South Asia, celebrating the life, teachings, and legacy of one of Punjab’s greatest saints.
During these holy days, Lahore transforms into a city of light and devotion. Thousands of devotees, scholars, Sufis, and seekers of divine love come from across Pakistan and abroad to attend. The Urs begins with chadar poshi and dua-e-khair, followed by zikr, Qawwali gatherings, and Naat recitations throughout the nights. The air resonates with remembrance of Allah and the name of Shah Inayat, whose teachings of love, humility, and equality still guide humanity.
The Urs is organized under the supervision of the Auqaf Department of Punjab Government, ensuring proper arrangements for security, free food (langar), and facilities for the thousands of pilgrims.
In 1446 Hijri / 2025 CE, the 299th Urs of Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri Shattari was observed from 27th to 29th December 2024, corresponding to 25th to 27th Jamadi al-Thani.
The Urs is not just a memorial — it is a living tradition of ishq-e-haqiqi (divine love) and khidmat-e-khalq (service to humanity), reminding all that Shah Inayat’s message, “God is found in love and compassion,” continues to illuminate hearts even after centuries.