Shaikh Michan Niazi Pashtun

Pakhtoon Media

Shaikh Michan Niazi

Shaikh Michan Niazi was a revered Pashtun saint from the medieval period.

His birth name was Muhsin, and he is believed to be a sixth-generation descendant of Khako, the son of Niazi. He received the title "Michan", which translates to "handmill" in Pashto, after a profound spiritual experience. According to tradition, while hunting in the wilderness, he was overtaken by a state of deep religious ecstasy and began to whirl like a handmill, symbolizing his mystical experience.

A brief reference to his life appears in the historical manuscript Makhzan-i-Afghani, written in 1612 AD. It describes how, in his youth, Shaikh Michan was fond of hunting and outdoor pursuits. During one such outing, he experienced a divine calling and became overwhelmed by spiritual passion. This intense mystical state caused him to spin in place, which led to the nickname "Michan", likening his motion to that of a millstone. His spiritual status elevated his family among the Mati tribe, and his shrine became a site visited by people from all walks of life seeking blessings. Michan Baba’s descendants are traditionally believed to possess healing powers, particularly against snake bites and hydrophobia (rabies). It's said they can handle live snakes without harm. His final resting place is in Wana, located in the Waziristan hills. Among his well-known descendants is Haji Murad, a respected saint whose tomb lies on the banks of the Kurram River, near Lakki.

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Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Reza Khan – A Saint of the Modern EraAmong the distinguished spiritual personalities of the modern age, Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Reza Khan, a revered figure from the Yusufzai Pashtun lineage, occupies a unique and honored position. He was born on Monday, 25th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1284 AH in Bhainsori Sharif, a locality near the railway station in Rampur District, India.
Originally hailing from the Peshawar region, the Yusafzai tribe later migrated and established communities in areas such as Nawa Killay and Sheikh Janaan. One of their prominent members, Nawab Mustafa Khan, settled in Mustafa Abad, Rampur, which led many of his fellow tribespeople to follow suit. Hazrat Nabi Reza Khan's grandfather, Hazrat Haji Alif Khan Sahib, was a respected Sufi elder. He received formal spiritual succession (Khilafat) from his guide, Hazrat Shahnawaz Khan Sahib, whose shrine is located in Mauza Gogai, in Tehsil Mir Ganj, District Bareilly.
A pivotal moment in Hazrat’s spiritual journey occurred during a meeting with Hazrat Shah Mohammad Abdul Hayee Islamabad Chaatgami, a well-known spiritual guide traveling through India. During his stay at the home of Deputy Badi ul Alam Sahib, a devoted follower of Hazrat Nabi Reza Khan, a profound spiritual bond was formed. At first sight, Hazrat Nabi Reza Khan was overwhelmed with divine love and longing, and later expressed his deep desire to become his disciple a request that was spiritually accepted.
Over the years, through his unwavering devotion, inner purification, and spiritual discipline, Hazrat earned both Khilafat (succession) and Ijazat (authorization) from his spiritual mentor, affirming his elevated role in the Sufi tradition.
In his later years, Hazrat would often visit a particular place where he would sit peacefully beneath banana trees, remarking on the special fragrance and spiritual atmosphere he sensed there. On Sunday, 24th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1329 AH, during the Fajr (dawn) prayer, he began to feel unwell. Despite his pain, he spoke of hearing a spiritual call from the Khwaja of Ajmer, although he mentioned that Hazrat Shah Meena had previously held him back from leaving this world. Indicating his acceptance of the divine will, he raised his finger towards the sky and softly recited the Kalima (declaration of Islamic faith).
The room and bed where he breathed his last have been preserved as sacred relics. Upon hearing the news of his passing, large crowds gathered for his funeral prayers. Many esteemed spiritual elders, including those rarely seen in public, were in attendance. Eyewitnesses spoke of a radiant spiritual light (Nur) surrounding the funeral bier, and a fragrance like musk filled the air. Deep sorrow gripped his followers and admirers, as they mourned the loss of a beloved saint.