Hazrat Sufi Fateh Ali Waisi: Persian Poet-Saint of Bengal (1820–1886)
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
03 November 2025.
Sufi saint and Persian poet Hazrat Fateh Ali Waisi authored the acclaimed Diwan-e-Waisi, blending mysticism and devotion to Hazrat Prophet Muhammad. A Qadri-Chishti-Naqshbandi successor, he taught Islam across Bengal and left 35 spiritual heirs.
Main Points:
1. Born 1820 in Chittagong; son of martyr Hazrat Wares Ali, descendant of Ali ibn Abu Talib and Abdul Qadir Jilani.
2. Educated at Hooghly and Kolkata madrasas; followed Qadriya, Chishtiya, Naqshbandi orders under Nur Muhammad Nizampuri.
3. Wrote Persian epic ‘Diwan-e-Waisi’, studied in Dhaka and Kushtia universities, expressing intense love for Hazrat Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
4. Served in Calcutta High Court, as Nawab’s secretary, and retired to full-time spiritual teaching in Murshidabad.
5. Died 1886 at Howrah Station; appointed 35 khalifas across Bengal and Bangladesh.
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Hazrat Sufi Fateh Ali Waisi was a revered Sufi saint, Islamic preacher, and Persian-language poet whose celebrated epic, “Diwan-e-Waisi”, earned him widespread recognition across Bengal and beyond.
Hazrat Fateh Ali Waisi was born in 1820 in Mallik Sobhan Hajipara, Amirabad Union, now part of Lohagara Upazila (formerly under Satkania Upazila) in the Chittagong district. His father, Wares Ali, was also a Sufi saint who attained martyrdom in the Battle of Balakot while fighting against the British. His mother, Saeeda Khatun, passed away tragically when her trawler sank on her way to perform Hajj.
Waisi’s family traced its lineage back to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. They were descendants of both Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib and the great saint Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani. His ancestors eventually settled in Mallik Sobhan, Lohagara, Chittagong, where the family became well known for their spiritual and scholarly pursuits.
Hazrat Waisi pursued his early education at the Hooghly Mohsiniya Madrasa and later at the Calcutta (Kolkata) Alia Madrasa. He embraced asceticism and devoted himself to the spiritual paths of various Sufi orders, most notably the Qadriya, Chishtiya, and Naqshbandiya silsilas. Alongside his spiritual practice, he nurtured a deep passion for Persian literature and poetry. Writing under the pen name “Waisi”, he gained immense fame for his spiritually inspired verses.
His magnum opus, “Diwan-e-Waisi”, written in Persian, established his reputation as one of the region’s foremost Sufi poets. The work is filled with mystic ghazals and rhythmic compositions expressing his boundless love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Due to its literary and spiritual depth, “Diwan-e-Waisi” is included in the curriculum of several universities, including Dhaka University and the Islamic University of Kushtia.
In his early career, Hazrat Waisi served as an officer in the Farm Division of the Calcutta High Court. During this period, he also began imparting Islamic education. Later, he worked as a personal secretary to Nawab Shah Wajed Ali of Metiabruz, Kolkata, and subsequently held the position of Superintendent at the Political Pension Office. After retiring from government service, Hazrat Waisi dedicated himself entirely to spiritual teaching and guidance.
As a young man, Hazrat Waisi often retreated with his elder brother into the forests of Chittagong’s hilly terrain, seeking spiritual enlightenment. He eventually became a disciple of Hazrat Nur Muhammad Nizampuri, from whom he received khilafat (spiritual succession) in the Qadriya, Naqshbandiya, Chishtiya, and Mujaddidi orders.
His “Diwan-e-Waisi” also mentions the names of 35 of his khalifas (spiritual successors), spread across Bengal and Bangladesh, including: Syed Abdul Haque, Syed Ayaz Uddin, Syed Niaz Ahmed, Syed Matiur Rahman, Syed Abu Bakr Siddiqui and many others who continued his spiritual legacy.
In one of his well-known poems, Hazrat Waisi captures the stages of divine love:
Loving you I get three things
The first repentance, second weeping and grief is the third one.
From these three I get the company of another three — the first lament, second sorrow and mourning is the third one.
From these three another three come into my hand — the first dispute, second distress and pain is the third one.
From these three my heart attracts another three — the first madness, second sorrow and remorse is the third one.
From these three I gain another three — the first disturbance, second cruelty and disgrace is the third one.
From these three another three follow me — the first deception, second weeping and dullness is the third one.
From these three, by the lifelong love of Muhammad (s), I become firstly unparalleled, secondly attain divine grace, and the third one becomes incomparable.
From these three things Waisi gets fame in the world — first ‘Katal’, second revolt and madness is the third.
Another of his poetry glorifies the beauty and divine perfection of the Hazrat Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
Your beauty has vanquished the Hur of the heaven.
The valuable pearls are paled by the charm of your physique.
Your qualities are the 'Kebla' of pious persons,
Your beauty is the mirror of the absolute beauty.
Your lips express many tales of Hazrat Isha (A),
Your words heal the suffering souls.
Union with you and separation from you brings the heavenly and hellish
feelings in the hearts of the lover.
The learned persons express their inability to your God-given influence.
My heart has been broken by the separation from you.
How long shall I endure separation from you,
Oh learned man, if you ever cross his path
you will feel the heavenly bliss.
There the morning breeze blows to bring utmost happiness,
Because the breeze blew on the road — he trode.
A single drop of water from your lips equals the lake of Harrat Khijir.
A single softening word from you enlivens my heart. You amazed the
infidels by piercing the moon by your finger.
The picture of the circular sign drawn upon your face is reflected in the sun.
The best creation of Mustafa (s), the kindness of Allah,
Hold strongly the string of his kindness.
Oh, the supreme of the Nabis, put your feet upon my eyes,
Your footprints will end my agony of separation.
Though the place of Khoda’s ‘Arash’ is very high yet your footprint is no lower than it.
There is no easy way but to follow you,
So Waisi, whole heartedly follows your way.
Hazrat Sufi Fateh Ali Waisi eventually settled in Murshidabad, West Bengal. While travelling from Murshidabad to Kolkata, he passed away at Howrah Railway Station in 1886 at the age of 63.
His life and poetry continue to inspire students of Sufism and Persian literature alike. “Diwan-e-Waisi” remains a cherished text, not only for its poetic beauty but also for its profound expression of mystical love and devotion.
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A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
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