Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Junaidi: The Spiritual Luminary Who Guided Kings of Deccan

By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam 21 Aug 2025 Among the most influential Sufi saints of the 14th-century Deccan, Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Mohammad Junaidi (1271–1380 CE) was a revered guide whose spiritual authority transcended borders. Descended from Hazrat Shaykh Junaid Baghdadi, he became the spiritual mentor to Bahmani rulers, established the Junaidi silsila in South India, and left behind a living legacy that continues to inspire. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Junaidi was born in 1271 CE in Peshawar and is recognised as a descendant of Hazrat Shaykh Junaid al-Baghdadi. 2. He took Bay’Ah and Khilafat from Hazrat Shaykh Alauddin Khundmir Juweri, later endorsed by Hazrat Minhaajuddin Tameemi Ansari and Hazrat Ainuddin Ganj-ul-Ilm. 3. He was the spiritual guide and trusted advisor to Sultan Alauddin Hasan Bahman, founder of the Bahmani Sultanate. 4. He passed away in 1380 CE and was buried at Shaykh Roza, Gulbarga, a site of enduring reverence and spiritual gatherings. 5. He devoted his life to spreading love, compassion, and service to humanity, regardless of religion or social background. ----- Early Life and Family Background Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Junaidi was born in 670 AH or 1271 CE in Peshawar, into a noble family rooted in Baghdad’s spiritual heritage. He was a direct descendant of Hazrat Shaykh Junaid Baghdadi, one of the early and most revered figures in Islamic mysticism. His father, Hazrat Abul Muzaffar Mohammad, was a pious man who migrated from Baghdad in 729 AH or 1328 CE, travelling through Delhi and Daulatabad before finally settling in the Kodchi region of present-day Karnataka. Raised in an environment deeply infused with learning and piety, Hazrat Sirajuddin was exposed early to the disciplines of Islamic scholarship, spirituality, and Sufi culture. Spiritual Training and Bay‘ah In his formative years, Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Junaidi pledged spiritual allegiance (Bay’Ah) to Hazrat Shaykh Alauddin Khundmir Juweri, a revered Sufi master renowned for his deep spiritual insight and mastery in the path of sulook. Under his guidance, Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin underwent rigorous spiritual training, which included Qur’anic contemplation, inner purification (Tazkiyah), and Khidmat-e-Khalq (service to creation). His spiritual education was further enriched by the company of two other eminent saints, Hazrat Minhaajuddin Tameemi Ansari and Hazrat Ainuddin Ganj-ul-Ilm whose presence deepened his understanding of Tasawwuf. In recognition of his devotion and maturity in the path, Hazrat Khundmir Juweri eventually conferred upon him full khilafat, marking the beginning of his own journey as a spiritual guide and mentor within the Junaidi order. Migration to Deccan and Role in the Bahmani Sultanate Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin migrated to the Deccan around 1347 CE, the same year Sultan Hazrat Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani Sultanate in Gulbarga. The Sultan, deeply impressed by his wisdom and humility, accepted him as his Murshid, along with the Sultan’s mother. Hazrat Sirajuddin was granted a Jagir in Kodchi by the royal court, where he established his Khanqah. His influence soon spread across the political landscape, and his counsel was sought in critical matters by Hazrat Sultan Muhammad Shah I (1358–1375) and Hazrat Sultan Mujahid Shah (1375–1378). These kings did not make major military or administrative decisions without first consulting him. His presence at court symbolised the perfect balance between spiritual authority and political ethics in the early Deccan period. Teachings and Khanqah Practices Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin’s Khanqah in Gulbarga became a vibrant spiritual hub. His teachings centred on sincerity (Ikhlas), humility (tawazu), and universal compassion (Rahmah). He promoted a non-sectarian vision of Sufism, welcoming seekers from Chishti, Qadiri, and Shattari backgrounds. The Khanqah was a place not only of Zikr (remembrance) and Sama (spiritual music) but also of scholarship and social service. Langar (community kitchen) was regularly organised, serving all classes of people. He strongly believed in the role of spiritual centres as community anchors spaces where the divine and the worldly could harmoniously interact. His teachings discouraged pride and ostentation, and instead emphasised simplicity, worship, and service to creation. Khalifas and Junaidi Presence in the Deccan Among his foremost disciples was his son, Hazrat Shaykh Alauddin, who succeeded him in both family and spiritual legacy. Another prominent Khalifa was Hazrat Malik Saifuddin Ghori, who is believed to have furthered the Junaidi teachings in parts of the Deccan. While Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin primarily trained disciples within his immediate khanqah, the broader Junaidi Silsila in the Deccan was also expanded by contemporary saints like Hazrat Syed Alauddin Hussaini Javeri. Through figures such as Hazrat Shaykh Ruknuddin Tola of Gulbarga, Hazrat Khwaja Shamsuddin Uraizi, and Hazrat Ainuddin Ganj-ul-Ilm of Bijapur, disciples of Hazrat Syed Alauddin Javeri the Junaidi network gained strength in cities like Bijapur, Solapur, and Bidar. Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin’s emphasis on unity and spiritual pluralism helped shape a culture of mutual respect among parallel Junaidi branches across the region. Role in Deccan’s Sufi History In the historical context of the Bahmani Deccan, Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin was among the first wave of Sufis who shaped the religious and political consciousness of the region. His presence in Gulbarga predates even the migration of Hazrat Gesu Daraz. Alongside saints like Hazrat Ruknuddin Tola and Hazrat Ainuddin Bijapuri, he laid the foundation for the Deccan’s rich Sufi ecosystem. Chronicles such as those of Hazrat Abdul Malik Isami, a court poet of the Bahmani era, affirm the integral role of Sufi guidance in the Sultanate’s governance. Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin’s model spiritually detached yet socially involved and served as a prototype for future generations of Sufi leaders in South India. Death, Burial, and Shrine Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin passed away on 16 Shawwal 781 AH or 1380 CE in Gulbarga. His funeral prayer was led by none other than Hazrat Makhdoom Alauddin al-Ansari Chishti, popularly known as Laadle Mashaikh. He was buried in Gulbarga at a site now known as Shaykh Roza, located just outside Gulbarga Fort near Shah Bazaar. The tomb structure, simple and spiritual in essence, became a site of pilgrimage. Over the years, the Dargah complex grew in prominence and came to be known for its twin minarets (Do Minar gateway), constructed in the 17th century by the Adil Shahi dynasty in the Bijapuri architectural style. The tomb also houses a framed inscription confirming his death year as 1380 CE, preserved by caretakers even today. Ongoing Legacy and Annual Urs Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin’s legacy is kept alive by the Shaik-e-Deccan Trust, which manages the shrine and coordinates the annual Urs. The Urs includes Qawwali Mehfils, Langar, public welfare programmes such as health camps and mass marriages, and spiritual gatherings. One unique feature of the Dargah is the Hujar-e-Darood, a chamber where 24/7 collective recitation of Salawat (blessings on the Prophet) takes place and is open to all faiths. The Madrasa Siraj-ul-Uloom, established in his name, offers Islamic education and Sufi teachings. Thousands of devotees continue to visit the shrine from Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, keeping his teachings and name alive across generations. Conclusion Hazrat Shaykh Sirajuddin Junaidi’s life stands as a remarkable fusion of deep spiritual insight, unwavering service, and rare political influence. From Baghdad to Gulbarga, he carried the torch of Junaidi Sufism and kindled it in the heart of the Deccan. His teachings continue to echo through khanqahs and dargahs across southern India. His memory lives not only in stone and marble, but in the zikr of hearts that still seek his path. ------ Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut. 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