Sultan-ul-Israr: The Poetic and Spiritual Journey of Hazrat Khalid Jung Wajudi From Nobility to Faqiri

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 2 September 2025 Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung, the Sultan of Israr, lived 111 years of faith, poetry, and simplicity, blending nobility with Sufi humility, leaving Hyderabad a timeless spiritual legacy. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung was born in Hyderabad in 1879, descending from a noble Yemeni lineage linked to Arabia and celebrated Sufi saints. 2. Guided by Hazrat Wajudi Quadri and Khwaja Shamsuddin Aurangabadi, he embraced a life of spiritual discipline, transforming from nobility to faqiri. 3. A profound scholar of Qur'an Shareef and Hadith, he was also a gifted poet whose collection Khayalistan-e-Khaled reflects deep devotion. 4. His teachings emphasised simplicity, remembrance of Allah, and love for the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam. 5. Living 111 years, he passed in 1408 Hijri, buried in Barkas, Hyderabad. ----- An AI-generated Image of Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung Wajudi Quadri Chishti ----- Introduction In the heart of Hyderabad’s spiritual history shines the luminous figure of Hazrat Khalid Abi Lail, better known to the world as Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung. To his disciples and admirers, he was the Sultan of Israr, the master of divine mysteries. His titles echo his stature: Hazrat Shaykh Kamil, Hazrat Zarra Nawaz Mahboob Rahmani, Hazrat Baderuddin Khwaja Abul Faiz, and Hazrat Shah Mohammed Khalid Wajudi Quadri Chishti. He was a saint, a poet, a teacher, and a guide whose life embodied the timeless values of Sufism: humility, remembrance of Allah, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. Noble Lineage and Roots Hazrat Khalid’s story begins in the late nineteenth century. He was born on 6th December 1879, corresponding to the 6th of Rajjab al-Murajjab 1297 Hijri, in the princely city of Hyderabad Deccan. His father was Hazrat Awadh Abi al-Lail Nawab Jan Nisar Jung, a man of Yemeni origin who had migrated to India. Arriving in Hyderabad at a time when Nawab Asif Jah VI, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, reigned, Jan Nisar Jung was appointed to the prestigious position of Aide-de-Camp (A.D.C.) in the Nizam’s royal court, an honour that reflected both lineage and trust. The family’s ancestry itself was distinguished. From his father’s side, Hazrat Khalid’s genealogical line connected with the celebrated Amra tribe of Arabia, specifically the Abi Lail Hashmi family. On his mother’s side, he carried the bloodline of Makhdoom-e-Jahaniya Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Jahaniya Jahañ Gast Naqvi Bukhari, which linked him further to Hazrat Abul Abbas Ahmed Kabir Refai Shaf'i. His roots thus combined the nobility of Arabia with the sanctity of South Asia’s Sufi giants, making his birth not just a family event but a continuation of a sacred heritage. Spiritual Training and Transformation Despite his noble beginnings, Hazrat Khalid’s true journey was one of spiritual discovery. He was guided and trained by his spiritual master Hazrat Abu Raza Syed Bada Shah Moihuddin Hussaini Wajudi Quadri and by his grandfather Pir Hazrat Khwaja Shamsuddin Aurangabadi. Both men were renowned spiritual figures whose influence transformed young Khalid from a nobleman of status into a fakir of spiritual perfection. It was their direct training, prayers, and favour that enabled him to cross the stages of contemplation upon the Oneness of Allah and the light of His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam. Through devotion and discipline, Hazrat Khalid attained a rank where he himself became known as a Shaykh-e-Kamil (Perfect Master), a man who embodied the completeness of the Sufi path. Scholar and Poet of the Spirit Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung was not only a mystic but also a man of letters, combining scholarship with creativity. He had a deep understanding of Qur'an Shareef and Hadith, particularly the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam, and was well-versed in the rules of jurisprudence, literature, and Sufism. Yet, what made him unique was his ability to bring this sacred knowledge into the realm of poetry. His celebrated collection, Khayalistan-e-Khaled, stands as a literary treasure. In it, he wove together: Hamd, the verses praising Allah, expressing devotion and divine grandeur. Naat, the tributes filled with love for the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam.. Manqabat, the Commemorations of saints and holy figures. Ghazals, in the amatory yet mystical Persian style, combining love with spirituality. Rubaiyat, quatrains that distilled complex ideas into brief, powerful reflections. Written in Urdu and Persian, his works reflect not only intimacy with the Divine but also an aesthetic grace that continues to move readers today. For his followers, Khayalistan-e-Khaled was more than literature; it was a guidebook of the soul, where each verse whispered reminders of faith, simplicity, and devotion. Sayings and Philosophy The sayings attributed to Hazrat Khalid reveal a man who viewed the world as transient, fleeting, and secondary to the eternal reality of Allah. He would often remark that life in this world held no true value, for every human being would eventually pass away. To him, Islam preached a life of simplicity, where the believer was not permitted to drown in recreation or distraction, but instead was commanded to follow Allah and His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam Among his most striking thoughts was the belief that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam is the highest phenomenon of Allah, a reflection of Divine Light in human form. For Hazrat Khalid, Allah’s reality was oneness itself, and creation sprang forth from His single command: “Be, and it is.” He emphasised that every action, whether walking, speaking, or raising one’s hand, could become an act of worship if done in remembrance of Allah. Forgetfulness, he warned, led to carelessness and distance from the Divine. His message was clear: live with Allah in your heart at every moment, and every action becomes sacred. He advised: “Be reminded to live in the thinking of Allah. Time spent in His presence is time well-lived. If Allah grants His favour, all hardships will ease. Always look for His favour, and the outcomes will be only good.” Final Years and Passing Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung lived an extraordinarily long life, reaching the remarkable age of 111 years. On the morning of 11 Jamadi al-Awwal 1408 Hijri, he left this mortal world, his soul returning to its Creator after a century of service, poetry, and remembrance. His grave lies in Barkas, Hyderabad, within the sacred surroundings of the tomb of Hazrat Wajudi Quadri. To this day, it is visited by a large number of devotees, both common and distinguished, who come to seek blessings, reflect on his teachings, and draw inspiration from his memory. A Lasting Legacy The life of Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung Wajudi Quadri Chishti is one of remarkable depth. Born of noble descent, he chose the path of humility and asceticism. Gifted with intellect, he used his knowledge to teach others simplicity and God-consciousness. Blessed with poetic ability, he composed works that still resonate with the love of Allah and His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam. He stands as a bridge between nobility and Fakiri, between scholarship and poetry, between earthly life and divine contemplation. His words, his teachings, and his shrine remind us that true greatness lies not in power or wealth, but in the remembrance of Allah, the love of the Prophet, and the service of humanity. In Hyderabad’s Barkas, where his grave lies, the faithful still whisper his name: the Sultan of Israr, the poet-saint of truth, Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung. ----- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is the author of 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', a bestselling research book based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. Note: This is the first-ever research article available about Hazrat Khalid bin Jan Nisar Jung Wajudi Quadri Chishti on the Internet. 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