Reverent Salutation: “Aaqaayi Wa Maulaayi, Sayyadi Wa Murshadi, Abul Arwah, Tajul Auliya, Ghous-e-Zaman-o-Makaan, Qutbay Madaray Irfaan, Hazrat Baba Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra).” (“My Lord and Leader, My Master and Guide, Father of My Spirit, Crowning Glory of the Saints, Divine Helper Unrestrained by Time and Space, Central Authority of Gnosis, His Grace Baba Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra)).”
Early Life & Background
Hazrat Baba Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra), known within the Silsila as Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra), was born with the given name Kunwar Asghar Ali Khan. His father, Kunwar Masoom Ali Khan, was a disciple in the Warsi Sufi Order, showing that the fragrance of Tasawwuf already touched the family household even before his own journey began.
Despite this background, the young Kunwar Asghar Ali Khan (later Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra)) carried doubts and pre-supposed notions about Sufis in general. In his earliest meetings with Hazrat Ghous Muhammad Baba Yousuf Shah Taji (ra), his heart did not warm to him. Instead of being drawn immediately, he felt resistance and even rejection.
But Allah’s decree was at work. One dawn, in the still silence of the early morning, he heard his Sheikh reciting the Qur’an. The sound of the recitation pierced his heart; it was unlike anything he had ever heard. He later reflected that perhaps this was how Rasulullah ﷺ must have heard the Qur’an being recited to him by Jibraeel (as).
From that moment, the veils of doubt fell away. His heart began to fill with waves of love and awe, which only deepened with time. This became the turning point — the moment of transformation that would carry him from Kunwar Asghar Ali Khan into Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra), a saint whose life became inseparably bound to his Sheikh and to the path of Tasawwuf.
Turning Toward Tasawwuf
After his heart opened to Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) through the transformative experience of hearing the Qur’an at dawn, the bond between disciple and Sheikh began to deepen rapidly. What had begun as skepticism soon turned into love, and that love grew into a profound attachment that consumed his heart.
Over the following days and weeks, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) found himself overwhelmed by waves of affection and reverence for his Sheikh. This intensity often brought him into Haalat-e-Istighraq (Spiritual Absorption), where he would lose awareness of his surroundings. At first, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) showed concern for these overpowering states. Later, he instructed the other disciples to lock him in chains in a dark cellar when these conditions arose, so that the temporary veils of absorption would not overwhelm his physical being.
Another episode from this period illustrates both the yearning of the disciple and the spiritual training of the Sheikh. Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) once wished to visit Nagpur to pay his respects at the shrine of Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra). He had listened countless times to the stories told by his Sheikh about Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra), narrated with such vivid conviction that the listeners felt transported, as if they were present during those miraculous events. Inspired, he requested permission to travel.
When others made similar requests, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) granted them freely. But to Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra), he replied differently:
“Asghar, why do you have to go to Nagpur?
Instead, bring Nagpur here?”
Disappointed, since he had already purchased his ticket, he remained silent. His Sheikh then said, “Give your ticket to one of your Pir Bhai so it will not go to waste.” That disciple took the ticket and traveled to Nagpur, but upon reaching there, he entered into a state of Jazb (Rapture) that lasted several days, until he passed away.
Through this incident, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) came to understand that his Sheikh was shaping him to seek inner presence over outward journeying. His training would require him to root his devotion deeply in Karachi, in his Sheikh’s company, rather than dispersing his energy in pilgrimages. It was a lesson in stillness, loyalty, and the realization that the true Nagpur — the true presence of saints — could be brought into the heart through love and Nisbat.
Growth in Devotion & Spiritual States
The love of Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) for his Sheikh, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra), did not remain steady or ordinary. It grew in waves of such intensity that it frequently brought him into states of Haalat-e-Istighraq — total absorption in love and remembrance — where he lost awareness of time, place, and even his own self. At first, his Sheikh was concerned about the severity of these conditions, but later he instructed his disciples to restrain him by placing him in chains and confining him in a dark cellar. This unusual discipline was a way of grounding him, to prevent the flames of love from consuming his physical frame.
Over time, however, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) sought to balance his disciple’s path by anchoring him more deeply in another Nisbat. He directed him toward the spiritual current of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra), a saint known for the stability and sobriety of his teachings. The wisdom was clear: the powerful magnetism of the Taji Nisbat, flowing from Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra), carried a force that could easily intensify the Istighraq of Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra). By blending it with the steadying light of the Abdur Rahmani Nisbat, his Sheikh ensured his disciple’s spiritual journey would be sustainable.
One day, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) took him to the modest mausoleum of Hazrat Sufi Abdul Hakeem Shah Sahib (ra), a saint within the Silsila of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra). The tomb was housed in a small room containing two graves. Not knowing their significance, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) asked which grave belonged to which saint. His Sheikh replied: “This is your Dada Pir Sahib.” It was in that moment that he realized his Sheikh was linking him firmly to the Nisbat of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra) through the inheritance safeguarded by Hazrat Sufi Abdul Hakeem Shah Sahib (ra).
This marked an important stage in his formation. His love for Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) remained the center of his being, yet an additional stream of Barakah harmonized it. This dual connection — to the Taji Nisbat and the Abdur Rahmani Nisbat — became the distinctive hallmark of his spiritual identity, shaping both his inner states and his later contributions to the Silsila.
Khilafat & Leadership
In due course, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) conferred Khilafat upon Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra), appointing him as his Jaan-Nasheen (Successor). This was not merely a formal designation, but a recognition that he had absorbed the Nisbat of his Sheikh so completely that he could carry it forward in purity.
What set his Khilafat apart was the restraint with which he exercised it. Though fully authorized as a Sufi guide, he initiated only one disciple into Bai‘ath — his own successor, Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra). This was a deliberate choice, reflecting his conviction that Tasawwuf is not about numbers or crowds, but about preserving the authenticity of the bond between Sheikh and disciple. By passing the Silsila only through one carefully chosen heir, he ensured that the trust was safeguarded without dilution.
Karachi became the base of his service and guidance, not by his own design but through the will of his Sheikh. When Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) traveled there in the final days of his life, he passed away only a short time after arriving. Out of devotion, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) fulfilled his Sheikh’s wish that his blessed body be buried in Karachi.
In those first weeks after the burial, the responsibility of care fell heavily on Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) and his Pir Bhai, Hazrat Rahat Saeed Chattari (ra). Both were new to the city, without an established base. Yet as news spread of the Sheikh’s passing, more and more Pir Bhai began to arrive from other places, many bringing their families with them. With little accommodation available, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) opened his home, at times hosting more than twenty disciples and their families under his care. Not long after, Hazrat Zaheen Shah Baba (ra) also came to Karachi, further cementing the city as the new heart of the Yousufi Silsila.
Unlike his Sheikh, who was renowned for long and powerful discourses, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) rarely gave extended lectures. His style was quiet, restrained, and deeply personal. He spoke sparingly, but when he did, his words carried weight. Many disciples recall that the times they heard him speak were often after Fatiha gatherings, when the disciples of Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) would gather at his home. In those moments, he would share brief reflections — always centered on his Sheikh, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra). His authority lay not in the length of his speech, but in the depth of his silence, his presence, and the trust he bore as custodian of his Sheikh’s mission.
Teachings, Qualities & Contributions
The foundation of Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra)’s spirituality was the Qur’an. His own transformation began when he first heard his Sheikh, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra), reciting it in the stillness of dawn. That sacred sound, which he later described as perhaps how Rasulullah ﷺ must have heard the Qur’an recited to him by Jibraeel (as), became the anchor of his inner life. In his teachings, he would often return to the Qur’an, not to burden listeners with lengthy commentary, but to show how its light shines most clearly when refracted through the example of a true Sheikh.
Like his Sheikh, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) embodied Faqr — complete reliance on Allah. He distanced himself from worldly stipends, patronage, or any form of dependence. His strength was drawn from Tawakkul, trusting in the provision of Allah. This was especially evident during the early days in Karachi, when he shouldered the responsibility of hosting more than twenty Pir Bhai and their families alongside his own, despite limited resources. His life stood as proof that a Faqeer’s wealth lies not in possessions, but in surrender to the Divine Will.
Almost all of his public reflections revolved around the life of his Sheikh, Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra). While he did explain concepts of Tasawwuf and referenced Qur’anic teachings, his heart always returned to narrating stories about his Sheikh — stories of his miracles, his wisdom, and his mercy. These narrations were not simple recollections, but living transmissions of love. They carried the listener into the presence of Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra), just as he himself had once been carried into that presence through hearing Qur’an.
Because of his overwhelming states of Istighraq, his Sheikh connected him also to the Nisbat of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra), which offered balance and stability. This connection was revealed most clearly when Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) took him to the shrine of Hazrat Sufi Abdul Hakeem Shah Sahib (ra), from the line of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra). It was there that his Sheikh identified Hazrat Sufi Abdul Hakeem Shah Sahib (ra) as his “Dada Pir,” thus anchoring him in a dual heritage: the Taji Nisbat and the Abdur Rahmani Nisbat.
In 1992, he completed one of his most significant scholarly contributions: a summary of the old Farsi biography Anwaar-ur-Rahman, Al-Tanveer-ul-Jinan, which recounted the life of Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra). By rendering it into accessible Urdu, he made the life and teachings of this great saint available to seekers of his own time. The published work, Anwar-ur-Rahman (click to download), reflects his devotion to preserving the spiritual inheritance entrusted to him.
In the later years of his life, especially in the early 1990s, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) devoted long hours to writing the Asma-ul-Husna (Beautiful Names of Allah) by hand. He would sit outside in the sunlight for hours, filling hundreds of pages with these sacred Names. This act was both Dhikr and discipline — a visible manifestation of his constancy in remembrance and his surrender to Allah.
His most well-known written work is Sarkar Namah (click to download), a book dictated in simple language, transcribed word-for-word as he spoke. It records the life and miracles of Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra), preserving them for future generations. More than a biography, it is a disciple’s love letter — an attempt to ensure that the fragrance of his Sheikh’s life would never fade. Though Sarkar Namah (click to download) is only one part of his legacy, it remains a precious window into his heart as a disciple and his mission as a custodian of memory.
Unlike many Sheikhs who addressed large audiences with lengthy discourses, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) preferred silence and brevity. His words were few, but they carried depth and sincerity. Often, disciples of Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) would gather at his home after Fatiha, and in those intimate settings, he would speak. His guidance was quiet, but it resonated powerfully because it came from a life completely immersed in service, humility, and love.
Legacy & Passing
Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) once promised he would visit Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) before departing this world. One morning in the early 1990s, while Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) was in Monroe, New York, he was awakened by the presence of his Sheikh, who pointed to the ringing telephone. When he answered, Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) was on the line from Karachi, beginning with the ghazal verse: “Lagta nahi hai dil mera ujray dayar mein.” It was an emotional farewell. Though Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) begged permission to come, his Sheikh told him firmly to remain in America until further instructions. Thus, he fulfilled his promise — he had “visited” his disciple through presence and love.
He often said he could not leave this world lying down when his Sheikh would come to collect him. On Monday, November 21, 1994 (16 Jamadusani 1415 AH), his words were fulfilled. Though lying down, he asked to be lifted into a seated position. In that posture — upright, alert, and awaiting his Sheikh — Sarkar Aala Hazrat (ra) returned to his Lord.
He is remembered as a saint who carried both the Taji Nisbat, from Hazrat Yousuf Shah Baba (ra), and the Abdur Rahmani Nisbat, through Hazrat Sufi Abdur Rahman Shah Sahib (ra) and Hazrat Sufi Abdul Hakeem Shah Sahib (ra). By passing Khilafat solely to Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra), he safeguarded the Silsila with purity and fidelity.
His writings, such as Sarkar Namah (click to download) and Anwar-ur-Rahman (click to download), and his constant remembrance through the Asma-ul-Husna, remain enduring signs of his devotion. More than any work, however, his life itself was his teaching — humility, loyalty, and love for his Sheikh.
Karachi, the city chosen by his Sheikh as his final resting place, became the city where Hazrat Baba Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra) bore the Silsila’s trust. His legacy continues to illuminate the Yousufi path with simplicity, silence, and sincerity.