His title was Qudwatud Deen. By birth he was a Sayyid Hasani (i.e. of the progeny of Hadhrat Hasan – radhiyallahu anhu). His father’s name was Sultan Farsanafah. He was born in Chisht on 6th Ramadhaan 260 Hijri. His outward appearance and handsomeness were incomparable. His face glittered so much that it will not be an exaggeration to say that it lit up the darkness.

Khwajah Abu Ishaq would often visit Sultan Farsanafah. One day he told Sultan’s sister that you will be having a nephew. Take well care of your brother. Do not permit a doubtful (mushtabah) morsel of food to enter his mouth. Accordingly, she went to great lengths to ensure this. Finally, Abu Ahmad was born during the reign of the Abbasi Khalifah, Mu’tasim Bil-lah. From the age of 7 he started to frequent Khwajah Abu Ishaq.

He acquired both Uloom-e-Zaahiriyyah and Baatiniyyah from Khwajah Abu Ishaq. At the age of 16 after completing his pursuit of academic knowledge, he became bay’t to Khwajah Abu Ishaq. According to some accounts he was initiated as a mureed at the age of 13.

Once while with his father on a hunting trip, he lost the way in a mountain range. He was left alone. Inspite of his efforts, he could not find the road. After trudging a considerable distance he suddenly saw Khwajah Abu Ishaq sitting with 40 Auliya standing in his presence. Abu Ahmad fell at the feet of Khwajah Abu Ishaq and remained with him.

After a few days it was discovered that Abu Ahmad is with Khwajah Abu Ishaq on a certain mountain. The king sent people to bring him back. Although they tried to persuade him to return home, he refused. As a result of the spiritual transformation he underwent, he chose the rigorous and austere life on the mountain. After extreme mujaahadah for eight years, he acquired the mantle of khilaafate. It is said that for 30 years he never slept on a bed.

By a gaze of Hadhrat Abu Ahmad, a man could be transformed into a performer of karaamat.

His father was the owner of a liquor store which stocked vintage wines. During Hadhrat Abu Ahmad’s childhood he once went into the store. He closed the door and broke all the liquor vats. His father was informed of the destruction being wrought to his expensive wines. Since he could not enter the locked premises, he climbed the roof and from there shouted furious threats in a bid to prevent the child from further destruction. But Abu Ahmad ignored the threat. His father in desperation hurled a large stone which remained suspended in mid-air. His father was amazed. Realising his error he repented at the hands of his child and gave up his liquor.

Once he journeyed through an area occupied by only kuffaar. There was no Muslim living in the surroundings. This particular community of kuffaar was extremely hostile to Muslims. If a Muslim ventured into their settlement, it was their practise to torture and set the Muslim alight. Although they assaulted Hadhrat Abu Ahmad, they did not have the courage to set him alight. The Shaikh told them not to worry as he, himself would fall into the fire. A fire had already been prepared. Throwing his musalla on the fire, he entered it. As Hadhrat entered, the fire instantaneously died out. The kuffaar, in their amazement, began to venerate him. Hundreds accepted Islam on this occasion.

It was his regular practice to complete one Qur’aan during the day and two during the night.

Although he was aware of spiritual mysteries, he would not divulge these. According to the unanimous claim of the Auliya of his time, he was a Qutub and an Abdaal.

He would not accept gifts and he abstained from delicious food and fine garments.

His Demise

His death was on 3rd Jamaadil Ukhraa 355 Hijri. His grave is in Chisht. Among his Khulafaa are Khwajah Abu Muhammad and Khwajah Khuda Bandah.