Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri
In a time marked by growing communal tensions and polarizing narratives, young author and scholar Syed Amjad Hussain’s book ‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ arrives not only as a work of history but also as a much-needed spiritual intervention. Spanning more than 300 pages, the book immerses the reader in Bihar’s rich and pluralistic Sufi heritage, offering a profound counter-narrative rooted in peace, love and human dignity.
Bihar is generally remembered for its political agitations and socio-economic challenges, but beneath the surface lies an older, deeper history – a rich tapestry of sufi saints who arrived as early as the 12th century. Through systematic research and a respectful tone, Hussain revives this forgotten spiritual geography.
Beginning with the arrival of Hazrat Peer Shah Mushk Nafah, Hazrat Momin Arif Ansari Yemeni and Hazrat Imam Muhammad Taj Faqih Zubairi Hashmi, followed by the transformative presence of Hazrat Qazi Syed Shahabuddin Suhrawardi Peer Jagjot Kashgari in Fatuha (Patna), the book presents a chronologically overlapping map of Sufi presence in Bihar. These are not mere biographies; they are glimpses into a world where divine love was not only preached but lived, practiced and internalised.
Thematic Depth, Scholarly Rigor
Divided into well-organised sections, ‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ details the lives of 20 influential sufi saints. Each chapter offers insights into their teachings (taalim), spiritual practices, miracles (karamaat) and most importantly, their social engagements. The saints in Hussain’s work are not passive mystics withdrawn from the world; they are reformers, healers, poets and bridges between communities.
The book also discusses the various sufi orders (silsilas) present in Bihar – Firdausi, Shattari, Husami, Warsi, Chishti, Qadri, Suhrawardi and Naqshbandi – illustrating how each infused its own spiritual philosophy into the soil of Bihar. Of special mention is Hussain’s inclusion of female figures such as Hazrat Bibi Kamal of Kako Sharif, a rare and valuable recognition of women’s contributions to Bihar’s mystic culture.
Language, Tone and Accessibility
Hussain’s writing flows with a gentle rhythm that recalls classical Urdu and Hindi scholarship yet remains accessible to contemporary readers. The prose is rich and poetic without sacrificing academic precision. His background as a researcher is evident in the meticulous citation of works in Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and English, many of which are obscure or little known to the general public.
This is not a dry academic treatise; it is a living, breathing narrative of spiritual heritage, crafted to engage scholars, young seekers and general readers alike.
Relevance in Today’s India
What makes the book particularly significant is its timing. At a moment when histories are being erased or rewritten to suit political agendas, this book affirms that India’s collective spiritual heritage must not be forgotten. The sufi saints of Bihar transcended caste, creed and religion. Their khanqahs were open to people of all faiths. They preached service, not supremacy.
In this age of ideological divisions, Hussain’s work reminds the bridges that once united communities. It is a call to return – not to nostalgia, but to the ethics of inclusiveness, humility and compassion that the sufis embodied.
‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ is more than a book; it is a spiritual journey and a historical reclamation. In reviving the voices of Bihar’s forgotten sufi saints, Hussain does more than pay tribute; he builds a bridge for contemporary readers to reconnect with a heritage that offers solutions to some of our most pressing problems.
This book deserves a place not only on library shelves but also in classrooms, living rooms and community discussions. It is an invitation to think, to remember and to heal.
Hussain has not merely authored a book – he has attempted to revive a spiritual legacy and present it afresh to the modern world. This work warrants a place of honour in the study of Indian Islam, Sufism and regional spiritual histories. It is hoped that it will inspire further research, dialogue and, most importantly, personal transformation.
It is strongly recommended for scholars, spiritual seekers and anyone interested in the rich diversity of India’s syncretic traditions.
(Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri is an Indian journalist, deputy director of the Indo-Islamic Heritage Center and the chairman of the Muslim Students Organisation of India)