He was born in the city of Lucknow, India in a family of Zaidi Syeds who claimed direct descent from Husain ibn Ali.
His father Syed Fazal Husain was appointed an Ataliq (tutor) to Prince Suleiman Qader Bahadur, son of Nawab Amjad Ali of Awadh.
The poetry of Safi is characterised by the use of simple and sweet language of the people, making him very popular among the common folk.
Some of his immortal couplets are : " Ghazal usne chheri, mujhe saaz dena, Zara umre rafta ko Awaz dena "[1] " Too bhi mayuse tamana mire andaz mein hai, jabhi to dard papihay teri aavaaz mein hai " " Janaza rok kar mera voh is andaaz mein bole; gali ham ne kahi thi, tum to duniya chhore jaate ho'''''' Safi Laknavi was a poet of the people and his poetry was innovative and reformist in tone.
Amarnath Jha, the great educationist and the former Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University, was among his many admirers.