Bahauddin Zakariya: The Saint Who United Hearts and Reformed a Region

Introduction: A Saint Born for an Age of Chaos

In the turbulent 13th century, when invasions tore through India and dynasties rose and fell like the tides, one man built something that outlasted empires — hearts united in love, faith, and knowledge. That man was Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, a saint, scholar, and reformer whose teachings still echo through the lands of South Punjab and beyond.

Founder of the Suhrawardi Sufi order in the Indian subcontinent, he made Multan not just a city of trade, but a city of saints. Through deep Islamic scholarship and spiritual wisdom, he countered injustice, revived Islamic values, and unified fragmented communities under the banner of love and Divine remembrance.

Early Life and Lineage: A Heritage of Light

Bahauddin Zakariya was born around 1170 CE in Kot Kehror, Layyah, near Multan, in present-day Pakistan. His family traced their lineage to Hazrat Ali (R.A), the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This noble lineage, however, was not his only claim to greatness — it was his relentless pursuit of knowledge and service that made him beloved.

His early education began at home, under the guidance of his father and local scholars. He then traveled to Baghdad, the center of Islamic learning, where he studied under Shaikh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi, the spiritual master and founder of the Suhrawardi Sufi order.

The Return to Multan: A Mission Begins

After receiving ijazah (authorization) from his teacher, Bahauddin Zakariya returned to the Indian subcontinent, determined to spread the true spirit of Islam — based on love, knowledge, and compassion. He chose Multan as his base, a city with strategic importance and diverse communities, but also deep religious divides.

Multan was already home to many spiritual traditions, but none had organized networks or solid educational institutions. Bahauddin Zakariya changed that. He established a madrasa (religious school) that taught Quran, Hadith, logic, jurisprudence, and spirituality, attracting students from across Asia.

The Suhrawardi Order: Balancing the World and the Soul

Unlike some Sufi orders that embraced poverty and renunciation, the Suhrawardi order preached a balanced life — one could be spiritual and still participate in society. Bahauddin Zakariya himself was a wealthy landowner, showing that Islam did not forbid wealth but urged ethical use of it.

He taught:

“The true Sufi is not he who withdraws from the world, but he who brings God into the world.”

This approach made his message accessible to traders, rulers, scholars, and common people alike, helping to spread Islamic teachings deeply and peacefully across the subcontinent.

Service to the People: A Sufi Statesman

Unlike many spiritual leaders, Bahauddin Zakariya was also deeply engaged in civic life. He was an advisor to rulers, a voice of reason in political disputes, and often mediated conflicts between tribes and communities. His influence was such that even the Delhi Sultanate acknowledged his role in maintaining regional stability.

He encouraged justice, honesty in trade, and fair treatment of Hindus and non-Muslims — earning him love across religious lines.

He famously said, “Spirituality without service is a tree without fruit.”

During famines, he opened food banks, distributed wealth among the poor, and personally took care of orphans and widows.

Legacy of Multan: The City of Saints

Under Bahauddin Zakariya’s leadership, Multan became a center of Islamic learning, culture, and spirituality. His network of disciples (murids) spread across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, each starting schools and spiritual centers.

Some of his most famous disciples included:

Shaikh Rukn-e-Alam – his grandson, whose tomb is a symbol of Sufi architecture.

Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari – who further expanded the teachings in Uch Sharif.

These saints, influenced by Bahauddin Zakariya, played a key role in spreading Islam peacefully across the Indian subcontinent, particularly among the rural and tribal populations.

Opposition and Challenges

Despite his popularity, Bahauddin Zakariya faced criticism from both political elites and rival religious groups. Some orthodox scholars accused him of mixing Sufism with worldly power, while others opposed his open-mindedness toward people of different faiths.

But he silenced critics not through argument, but through action. His scholarship was unmatched, and his character beyond reproach.

Once, a critic accused him of luxury, to which he replied:

“If a king owns the world but his heart fears God, he is a dervish. If a beggar owns nothing but his heart is proud, he is a tyrant.”

Death and Tomb: A Light That Never Went Out

Bahauddin Zakariya passed away in 1267 CE, but his light did not dim. His tomb in Multan remains one of the most visited Sufi shrines in South Asia, drawing thousands of visitors every year — Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and even secular seekers.

Built in the classic Tughlaq architectural style, the shrine features blue tiles, soaring domes, and a spiritual atmosphere that can silence even the busiest mind.

Teachings and Philosophy: A Revolution of the Heart

Bahauddin Zakariya’s teachings revolved around a few key principles:

Tawheed (Unity of God): Everything in the universe is connected through the Divine.

Service to Humanity: Feeding the hungry, educating the poor, and standing with the oppressed.

Knowledge over Ignorance: Faith without reason is weak, and reason without faith is blind.

Balance in Life: Neither extreme poverty nor extreme indulgence — moderation is closest to righteousness.

Interfaith Respect: He never called for conversion by force — instead, he invited through love.

Impact on South Asia and Islam

Bahauddin Zakariya was a spiritual architect of South Asia. His model of Islamic propagation laid the foundation for:

Peaceful conversion of large parts of Punjab and Sindh.

Establishment of interfaith harmony that lasted centuries.

Creation of educational institutions that blended logic, language, and law.

His descendants and followers continued to play important roles in shaping the religious and social culture of the region. Today, his name is invoked not just in prayer, but in courtrooms, classrooms, and community gatherings.

Why Bahauddin Zakariya Still Matters

In a world divided by sectarianism, political strife, and spiritual confusion, Bahauddin Zakariya offers a timeless path:

Live with purpose.

Serve others selflessly.

Embrace both the intellect and the heart.

Unite, don’t divide.

Conclusion: The Saint of Light and Logic

Bahauddin Zakariya was not merely a mystic — he was a transformer of society. His spirituality wasn’t about escaping the world; it was about healing it. Through the light of the Quran, the wisdom of the Prophet (PBUH), and the compassion of his heart, he carved a path of balance and brotherhood.

Today, when we visit his shrine or read his writings, we are reminded that true power is not in the sword, the crown, or the bank — it is in the soul that uplifts others.