Shah Shahidullah Faridi

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Shah Shahidullah Faridi (1915-1978) was an Englishman who, having read the Sufi treatise Kashful Mahjub, left his home in search of a Sufi shaikh. In India, he eventually met the Chishti Sabri shaikh, Syed Zauqi Shah and pledged allegiance to him. At forty years of age, the responsibilities of spiritual succession were entrusted on him. He lived in Karachi for about thirty years until he died in 1978. He was well-known among the local population as a dedicated servant to the common people, and he died in relative obscurity to the even Muslims outside Pakistan.

His brother, who had also read Kashf'ul Mahjub and had accompanied him in his worldwide spiritual quest, also became a Muslim and followed Sufism. Shaykh Faridi's brother is buried within the famed Mausoleum of the Sufi Saint of Lahore, Pakistan - Ali Hajweri - known locally as Data Sahib or Data Ganj Baksh.

Shah Shahidullah Faridi was a renowned writer on spiritual matters, and was regarded as having great clarity and insight. One of his most famous books is Inner Aspects of Faith.