Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri: The Guiding Pillar of Hyderabad’s Faith
By Adnan Faizi, New Age Islam
6 December 2025
Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri, revered as a divinely guided saint, came to Hyderabad by divine command and made Balapur his sacred retreat. His calming miracles, wisdom, and quiet spiritual strength shaped generations, earning him the title Qutub of Deccan.
Main Points:
1. Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri migrated to Hyderabad leaving worldly possessions behind.
2. Hazrat Syed Yusuf Akbar Sarmast appointed him the spiritual Qutub of Deccan.
3. He settled in a Balapur cave where his fingerprints marked the stone.
4. His prayers blessed seven generations of a disciple’s family to become Hafiz.
5. The annual Urs at his Balapur shrine attracts thousands of diverse devotees.
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Introduction
The Deccan has long been shaped by saints whose presence filled the land with faith, and among them stands Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri revered across generations as a guiding light of Balapur and one of the region’s foremost spiritual pillars. A noble descendant of the Prophet through both Hasani and Husaini lines, and spiritually linked to Hazrat Gaush-e-Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani, he came to Hyderabad in obedience to a divine command, carrying only the sacred knowledge inherited from his Qutub-father. At the Kasaratta Mosque, the then Qutub-e-Deccan, Hazrat Syed Yusuf Akbar Sarmast, instantly recognised him and welcomed him with a symbolic meal that marked his succession to spiritual guardianship. Avoiding fame, Hazrat Imam Ali Shah withdrew to the quiet hills of Balapur, where years of Prayer left physical impressions on stone and miracles that continue to bless the descendants of his disciples even today.
Early Life and Lineage
Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri was born into a family of profound spiritual rank, a Syed whose lineage joined both the Hasani and Husaini branches of the Prophet’s blessed household. His spiritual chain reached Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, and his father himself held the exalted station of Qutub. After his father’s passing, Hazrat Imam Ali Shah chose not to claim any inheritance of property, taking instead the sacred knowledge and divine mysteries entrusted to him. With this inner wealth, he set out for the Deccan, carrying a destiny that would reshape Hyderabad’s spiritual life.
When he entered Hyderabad, he went to the Kasaratta Mosque in the Chowk area for prayer. There, the Qutub-e-Deccan, Hazrat Syed Yusuf Akbar Sarmast, saw him and immediately spoke the symbolic words that confirmed his arrival: the lamp, oil, and wick were ready only he had been awaited to light it. After Fajr, a breakfast of beef-skin stew and buns was served, and in a gesture of spiritual transmission, Hazrat Akbar Sarmast fed him two morsels with his own hand. Turning to his father, he then declared that there was a command from the Prophet himself to hand over the post of Qutub-e-Deccan to Hazrat Imam Ali Shah. With that divine appointment, the spiritual leadership of the region passed to him.
Miracles: That Shaped Generations
Hazrat Imam Ali Shah’s blessings shaped the lives of his sincere disciples so deeply that their families continued to benefit for generations. One of his disciples was Hazrat Mufti Hafiz Waliullah, who served him with exceptional devotion. Pleased with his sincerity, the Shaykh prayed for him, and that prayer became a lifelong miracle: for seven generations, his family has been gifted with Huffaz of the Quran. This lineage still lives in Hyderabad, and the known names in the fifth generation include Hazrat Mufti Hafiz Waliullah, Hazrat Hafiz Mohammed Ahmed, Hazrat Hafiz Mohamed Rizwan, Hazrat Hafiz Mohamed Ahmed, and Hazrat Hafiz Abdullah.
Another disciple, Hazrat Qasim Saheb of Tadanwale, was famous in the twin cities but struggled with severe poverty. Despite his hardships, he remained devoted. When he asked Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri to pray for his sustenance, the saint handed him a single leaf and gave the remarkable prophecy that for seven generations, many in his family would become renowned Hakims. This blessing came true. Even today, his descendants continue the practice of medicine and are respected as skilled traditional doctors, all tracing their knowledge back to that one blessed leaf. Hazrat Imam Ali Shah’s spiritual influence also drew many non-believers towards Islam. A large number embraced the faith through him, and the old graveyard of Balapur still holds the graves of these early devotees who chose to remain near their guide even after death.
Death and Legacy
Hazrat Imam Ali Shah Qadri had two sons Hazrat Sheruddin Qadri and Hazrat Najaf Ali Shah Hasni Hussaini and as the end of his earthly life approached, a moving incident revealed his compassion. On 25th Safar, a Wednesday, he gently told his maid, “Today I go to meet my Lord. After today, you will not see me again.” Distressed, she pleaded with him not to leave on that day, fearing that the villagers would blame her because some considered Wednesday inauspicious. Smiling kindly, he reassured her that all days belong to Allah and accepted her request. For her sake, he delayed his departure and left this world on 26th Safar, a Thursday. Every year, Hazrat's Urs is commemorated on 26th Safar at his Dargah in Balapur on a grand scale, under the supervision of the present custodian, Hazrat Rasheed Mohiuddin Hussaini Qadri. The ceremonies begin with the Sandal, uniquely starting from the cave on the mountain where the saint meditated. From there, the custodian, along with his four sons and other family members, leads the procession to the shrine.
The Urs draws thousand of devotees from across regions and communities. The main gatherings include the Meeting of Faizan-e-Auliya, where the virtues and histories of pious saints are recalled; along with the Mehfil-e-Naat and Qur’an recitations, held inside the shrine where scholars deliver speeches and recite eulogies of the Prophet’s companions and family. On 27th Safar, the ceremony of Qatam Quran is held at the shrine, and on 28th Safar, a soulful Mehfil-e-Samah takes place. After Maghrib, the entire shrine and mausoleum are illuminated, creating a radiant spiritual atmosphere. His remembrance continues weekly as well. Every Thursday, countless devotees visit the shrine seeking blessings. It is his spiritual influence, many believe, that deeply strengthened the faith (Iman) of Hyderabad’s Muslims, distinguishing them in devotion and resilience. His miracles live on not only in the Hafiz and Hakim lineages but in the unwavering love of the people who continue to find peace at his threshold in Balapur.
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Adnan Faizi is a Peace and Harmony activist based in Delhi. He is an alumni of CCS University, Meerut.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-imam-shah-qadri-faith/d/137914
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