Syed Nadir Ali Shah, (1897 – 8 October 1974) (Sindhi: سيد نادر علي شاهه, Urdu: سید نادر علی شاہ) popularly known as Murshid Nadir Ali Shah, was a Sufi saint of the Qalandariyya Sufi order of Islam, a Muslim preacher, ascetic, mystic, philanthropist and humanitarian.

[4] Beyond his spiritual contributions, he is recognized for his substantial efforts in advancing human welfare and uplifting the underprivileged, in line with the teachings of the Qalandariyya Sufi order of Islam.

[2] Finally, in Sehwan Sharif, at the Sufi centre near the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, he met his long-awaited Murshid (spiritual mentor), who was destined to have the greatest influence on his life, Deedar Ali Shah.

His teachings and actions motivated many to attain spiritual prominence and contribute to society through acts of compassion and service, including the provision of food to the hungry.

Notably, British author and Literature Nobel Laureate V. S. Naipaul visited Nadir Ali Shah's Sufi center in Sehwan Sharif during a trip to Pakistan in 1979.

Naipaul recognised the community of his disciples as a group of friendly, delighted people with brightness in their eyes, who "knew they served the poor and God".

He oversaw the addition of various facilities on the shrine premises, including a mosque, a langar khana (free kitchens), a qawwali hall, and a guest house.

[1][25] Location Situated just a brief stroll away from Qalandar's shrine in Sehwan Sharif, the Kafi stands as an ancient spiritual institution and dwelling place for the dervishes of the Qalandariyya Sufi order of Islam.

It's known as the Kafi of Murshid Nadir Ali Shah, expanded under his guidance with heightened spirituality and humanitarian efforts, including the establishment of langar.

[2] The premises hold the shrines of the ten previous murshids, who are held in high regard for their exceptional contributions and service, having been revered as "rulers or governors of the brotherhood".

He was succeeded by his most distinguished disciple, Murshid Arif Ali Shah, who, in addition to being a spiritual leader, was a certified MBBS doctor.

[26] Teachings The Qalandari Tariqa, or Sufi order, places a strong emphasis on the struggle with oneself, the purification of the heart, and the nourishment of the soul.

[5][14] He devoted his life to alleviating hunger and initiated the "free food and water program," which was expanded to cater not only to the underprivileged residents of the town and its surroundings but also to those in Karachi and other cities.

[5][28][29] Amidst their daily routine of prayers and remembrance of God, the devoted malangs of the Kafi tirelessly managed the distribution of food and water to the impoverished residents of the town and its suburbs.

Despite the scorching heat of Sehwan, kneading large amounts of flour to provide bread for the needy was no small feat, but the dedication of the Qalandar's followers allowed this service to continue year-round.

[11][29] Even when faced with rising wheat prices, Murshid Nadir Ali Shah remained resolute in his commitment to the langar service, expressing unwavering faith in Divine providence.

It provided daily meals to thousands, and in response to the demands of the modern era, the dervish lodge adapted by delivering free rations during the COVID-19 lockdown.

His legacy lives on through those who continue to follow and practice his teachings, reflecting the enduring influence of his spiritual guidance within the Qalandariyya Sufi order of Islam.

[5][14] Murshid Nadir Ali Shah significantly expanded the philanthropic efforts of his dervish lodge, envisioning a comprehensive framework to provide free access to essential resources such as quality food, healthcare, education, shelter, safe water, and sanitation for all marginalized sectors of society.

He firmly believed that ensuring two nutritious meals a day could pave the way for children and young adults to attain an education, fostering optimism for a more promising future.

Additionally, he recognized that food security could empower laborers and families with modest incomes to allocate resources towards health and other necessities, thereby enhancing their spiritual, social, and emotional well-being.

This program had a twofold objective: not only to address immediate malnutrition and hunger concerns but also to tackle broader issues of age, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in accessing nourishment.

Today, the langar khana continues to provide free meals to thousands of individuals daily, catering to men, women, and children alike.

[12] Like other major Sufi orders, the Qalandariyya emphasizes an unbroken spiritual lineage, or silsila, tracing its knowledge back to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad through his companion Ali (d. 661).

[5][13][26][33] These spiritual leaders left behind a profound impact, with hundreds of thousands of devoted followers in Pakistan and around the world, known for their unwavering commitment to God and service to humanity.

[26][33] Notably, the Langar khana (free food facility) of Nadir Ali Shah remains a focal point of his legacy.

[9][29][32][33][36] Prominent poets of Pakistan spanning various eras have showcased their reverence and affection for Murshid Nadir Ali Shah through a myriad of qasidas (panegyrics) and manqabats (devotional poems) composed in languages like Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi, and Pashto.

Eminent artists including Noor Jehan, Shaukat Ali, Ahmed Khan, and Khyal Muhammad have commemorated and paid homage to him through their Qawwalis.

EMI Pakistan marked his legacy by releasing an album of devotional songs titled "Qawwali Hazrat Syed Nadir Ali Shah" on the occasion of his 40th death anniversary.

A harmonious array of mosaic tilework on the exterior walls forms horizontal lines of yellow, green, red, black, and blue tiles against a white background, extending from bottom to top.