Sufi Saint Shah Hussain was born in 1538 in the Walled City of Lahore, which now lies in the Punjab province of present-day Pakistan. His father’s name was Sheikh Usman, who belonged to the Rajput Kulsara clan. His profession was weaving cloth. Shah Hussain became a beloved saint, known by names such as Hussain Fakir, Hussain Julaha, Hussain, and Darvesh Raja. He was a contemporary of emperors Akbar and Jahangir.
From a young age, Shah Hussain displayed extraordinary brilliance. Hence, his father enrolled him at a local school at an early age. Initially, his teacher Hafiz Abu Bakr began teaching him to memorize the Quran. He memorized quickly. When he was ten years old, he met the famous Sufi saint Sheikh Bahlol Qadri, who later became his spiritual guide.
It is said that during the month of Ramadan, Shah Hussain’s teacher once sent him to fetch water from the river. As he went in obedience, he encountered Al-Khidr, who blessed him, saying, “You shall remember the entire Quran.” This blessing proved true. Shah Hussain recited the entire Quran during the Tarawih prayer, even though he had only been taught seven sections. News of this miracle spread rapidly throughout the city. Later, when his teacher Sheikh Bahlol went to the city, he instructed Shah Hussain to visit the shrine of Ali Hujwiri regularly. It is said that every night, Shah Hussain would stand in the Ravi River and recite the Quran, and then visit the shrine of Ali Hujwiri.
It is also said that Shah Hussain studied the interpretation of the Quran (Tafsir) under Sheikh Sadullah Lahori. While studying Tafsir, he would enter states of divine ecstasy. One day, while reading Tafsir, he suddenly left the mosque and became a Sufi, singing and dancing in public. Some traditionalists harshly criticized his transformation, while some wise ones continued to believe in him. From that time, he found little interest in old traditions. He sang and danced in remembrance of the Divine—or rather, it was as if the Divine itself descended into him to sing and dance. His life passed immersed in spiritual intoxication.
Shah Hussain was a learned man of Punjabi and Urdu. Though he never intended to be a poet, he would empty himself, and the Divine would sing through his voice. His disciples and followers compiled these songs, which led to the creation of a poetic form in Punjabi called Kafi. For this reason, he is considered the father of Kafi poetry and a pioneer of Punjabi verse. These Kafis were sung by Qawwals of the time and are still sung by renowned Sufi singers today. His poetry uses symbols and examples from the simple lives of weavers—honest and relatable—deeply touching the hearts of the common people. His verses carry the rhythm of the inner soul and a rare essence of spirituality.
It is said that when Shah Hussain was 54 years old, a 16-year-old named Madho Lal saw him for the first time. Madho Lal was mesmerized by Hussain’s divine beauty. He frequently visited Shah Hussain. Though Madho Lal’s spiritual connection with Hussain began from their first meeting, he formally became his disciple at the age of 18. After receiving initiation, he was named Sheikh Madho Lal. From the moment he entered his guru Hussain’s spiritual aura, the divine light in his life only grew brighter.
At the age of 63, in the year 1599, Shah Hussain left his physical body and departed forever to the spiritual realm. Before passing, he prophesied that his first shrine would be built on the banks of the Ravi River at Shahdara. He said that after 12 years, a flood would come, and the waters would reach his shrine, leading to its relocation to Babupura (Baghbanpura). He also predicted that for 48 years after his passing, his beloved disciple Sheikh Madho Lal would sit on his spiritual throne. It is said that these prophecies came completely true. Sheikh Madho Lal, following in his master’s footsteps, radiated spiritual light from the shrine throughout his life.
It is believed that the great Sufi Saint Syed Dawood Bandagi Kirmani Qadri and his disciple Syed Abu Ishaq Qadri were very close friends of Shah Hussain. Mullah Abdul Hakim Sialkoti and Sheikh Tahir Bandagi Naqshbandi also held Shah Hussain in great respect. It is also said that Chhajju Bhakt and Sikh Guru Arjan Dev Ji had very good relations with Shah Hussain.
Every year, on the death anniversary of Shah Hussain Sahib, a festival of lights called Mela Chiraghan is celebrated at the Baghbanpura premises. It is believed that anyone who sincerely calls upon Shah Hussain Sahib at his shrine with a thirsty heart receives a shower of divine light in their life.
Sources:
- Shah Hussain – Wikipedia
- Shah Hussain – Hindi Poetry
- Shah Hussain – Punjabi Kalam
