Biographical Sketch of Ḥadrat Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif

Ḥadrat Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif was born on January 15, 1929, in Shāhpur tehsil, which was then a district and is now part of Khushāb district. His father’s name was Malik Muḥammad ʿĀrif, a member of the prestigious Awan tribe, specifically from the distinguished Kundan branch. The Awan tribe claims descent from Ḥadrat ʿAwn Muḥammad Quṭb Shāh, who accompanied Maḥmūd of Ghaznī to the region in the 10th century. Ḥadrat ʿAwn Muḥammad Quṭb Shāh was a direct descendant of ʿAbbās ibn ʿAlī (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu), also known by his kunya, Abū al-Faḍl (“Father of Virtue”). ʿAbbās ibn ʿAlī (c. 15 May 647 – 10 October 680 CE), was the son of Ḥadrat ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (karramallāhu wajhahū), the fourth Rāshid caliph and the first Imām in Shia Islam, and Fāṭimah bint Ḥizām, commonly known as Umm al-Banīn (“Mother of the Sons”). The title “Quṭb Shāh” was given to ʿAwn Muḥammad as a mark of his leadership within the tribe.

Upon settling in Khushāb, the Kundan family established their roots in a neighborhood known as Moḥalla Kundanwalla.

In 1729, Muḥammad Jamāl, an ancestor from this tribe, settled there, and seven generations later, Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif was born. His genealogy traces back to Muḥammad Jamāl as follows: Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif, son of Malik Muḥammad ʿĀrif, son of Muḥammad Ashraf, son of Ghaus Muḥammad, son of Khair Muḥammad, son of Gheeba Khān, son of Nūr Muḥammad, son of Muḥammad Jamāl Awan.

Wāṣif Ali received his early education in Khushab. On June 1, 1942, he passed his middle school examination from Government High School, Khushab. He then moved to Jhang to live with his maternal grandfather, who was a prominent educator and had worked under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam in Amritsar for the Muslim League during his youth. Wāṣif’s father decided that he should continue his education in Jhang, where his academic potential truly flourished. Wāṣif later remarked, “During my student years, competition was so intense that we considered it our right to come first.” He completed his matriculation from Government High School, Jhang, on November 1, 1944, under roll number 26476, securing a first division. At that time, exams were conducted by Punjab University rather than a board. He then passed his FA (Intermediate) from Government Intermediate College, Jhang, on January 2, 1948, again with first division under roll number 7809. Following this, he earned his BA from Government College, Jhang, on December 19, 1949, with roll number 1137, once more achieving a first division. In that era, obtaining a BA, let alone in the first division, was a significant accomplishment.

Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif was handsome, tall, and physically strong. Although he participated in various sports, he was a regular hockey player during his school and college years. In 1948-49, he was awarded a color for his outstanding performance in hockey. He also actively participated in various college activities and received the “Award of Honor” in 1949 for his involvement. On September 27, 1954, he was awarded an honorary certificate for his training and service at the West Pakistan Police Training Center.

Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif went on to complete his MA in English Literature from Punjab University, where he studied at Government College Lahore and lived in the hostel. He contributed several articles to the college magazine Ravi, two of which, written in English, have survived: one on the dire state of the hostel and another on the farewell party for the final-year class. His classmates from this period have remained active in various fields.

According to the Punjab Gazette of June 1954, Wāṣif passed the civil service exam under roll number 139, achieving high marks in various subjects, particularly scoring 61 out of 100 in General Urdu. Despite his high merit, his unique disposition and inclination towards mysticism led him to forgo a career in civil service in favor of teaching. He began teaching private classes at a Punjabi college near Regal Chowk, Lahore, but later founded his own institution called Lahore English College on Nabha Road near Old Anarkali in 1962.

Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif’s personality, much like his writings, encompassed a broad range of attributes and talents. His impact as a reformist, often referred to as “Musleh-e-Pakistan” (Reformer of Pakistan), is seen as a continuation of Allama Iqbal’s vision to awaken the Muslim world. His teachings and philosophy stirred a movement toward national and spiritual renewal, a cause to which many researchers have dedicated MPhil and PhD thesis in Pakistan.

Wāṣif’s father, Malik Muḥammad ʿĀrif, had also been a teacher and had settled in Lahore after retirement. He was devout, dedicated to prayer, and engaged in regular recitations of the Qur’an, studying Tafsīr Ḥaqqānī and Mas̱navī Maulānā Rūmī. A disciple of the Chishtī order from Taunsa Sharif, he held deep reverence for Ḥadrat Khawāja Ghulām Farīd. Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif inherited his father’s spiritual tendencies from an early age, regularly visiting the shrines of saints both in Pakistan and India.

From his early childhood, Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif exhibited signs of spiritual awakening. He once recalled that whenever he heard the adhān (call to prayer), a trembling sensation would overcome him. This deep connection to the sacred only intensified as he matured. Alongside his academic pursuits, he maintained a rigorous spiritual practice, regularly attending Tahajjud prayers and dedicating himself to late-night contemplation and writing. His poetry manuscripts often bear timestamps between two and four in the morning, reflecting his devotion to spiritual and intellectual refinement.

Despite his demanding schedule as a teacher, where he taught English late into the night and after Fajr prayers, Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif also made time for community and hospitality. His college hosted a regular langar (communal kitchen), where visitors from various backgrounds—students, poets, bureaucrats, and spiritual seekers—were served tea. Wāṣif often joined them, engaging in discussions that ranged from poetry to spiritual matters, enriching the lives of everyone around him.

 Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif married later in life due to his ascetic nature and inclination toward spiritual devotion. After persistent encouragement from his well-wishers and parents, he agreed to marry.

On Saturday, October 24, 1970, corresponding to 22 Sha’ban 1390 AH, his wedding took place. He had a son named Kashif Mahmood, followed by three daughters.

Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif was known for his reticence, speaking and writing only when asked a question. On one occasion, when someone jestingly remarked that he couldn’t write poetry, he wrote 300 verses that night. His poems and writings were regularly published in various newspapers and magazines, and upon the insistence of his followers, his works were compiled. His first poetry collection, Shab Chiragh, was published in 1978, accompanied by a striking photograph from his college days.

As his following grew, his gatherings became more formal, initially taking place in Lakshmi Chowk and later at the home of the late Niazi Sahib at the Physical Training Institute near Gaddafi Stadium. Over a thousand nights, people would gather to ask him questions, and he would respond. This practice later continued at his residence.

In 1984, he was invited to speak at the Majlis-e-Iqbal at MAO College, Lahore. His words left a lasting impact, and after a report of the event was published in Nawa-i-Waqt newspaper, there was a public demand for more of his writings. He began writing columns for the newspaper, with the first column titled Mohabbat (Love).

Wāṣif ʿAlī Wāṣif passed away on January 18, 1993, corresponding to 24 Rajab 1415 AH. Despite his departure from this world, his teachings and spiritual light continue to spread, and it is believed that his ultimate mission—the Renaissance of Islam—will be realized, as he predicted that the world would witness the true essence of Islam before the end of this century.