Shahir's father, Zawawi Abdullah, is a teacher by profession, while his mother, Mahanum Othman, is a full-time housewife.
[citation needed] Shahir studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampar, Kampar, Perak from Year 1 until Year 6 and then at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Slim River, Slim River, Perak from Form 1 until Form 5.
Prior to his audition for Akademi Fantasia, he was an engineering student at Centre for Foundation Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia.
Shahir competed against twelve other contestants in the running to win the 8th season of Akademi Fantasia.
At the end of the final concert, he was crowned the winner of the Season 8, beating 4 other students.