He received this nickname because he spent 12 years in Tasawwuf (a form of Sufi meditation) in the caves located in the forest of Battupalli near Kazipet.

[3] Although he was the Qazi of Warangal district and Jagirdar of Kazipet village, he was averse to the life of a feudal Lord and refused to live in the Haveli.

The eagerness of the Sufi-saint to live closer to the hearts of the people shows nothing except his willingness to share their joys and sorrows as members of one family and thus strengthen the integrated setting of the society.

Afzal Biabani used to teach his disciples high morals like simplicity, social equality and to serve people irrespective of their caste, creed, language, religion and region.

Thus he proved himself to be a symbol of national integration, communal harmony, social justice and protector of human rights.

Even today, his shrine (Dargah) at Kazipet is much thronged and revered by Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs alike.

It is observed that most of the Hindu families of Kazipet and neighbouring villages bring the bride and bride-groom to this shrine (Dargah) immediately after the marriage to get the blessings for the newly married couple before they get to their homes.

The family tree of Sufi masters, from the earliest times to the present day, is replete with examples of outstanding holiness.

The first great Sufi order to appear in the form in which turuq are now known was the Qadiri tariqa, which took its name from its illustrious founder, the Shaikh Abdal Qadir al Jilani (1078–1166 A.D.).