Syed Shah Afzal Biabani (1795 – 1856 A.D / 1210 – 26 Safar, 1272 AH) was a Sufi from Warangal, Hyderabad State (now Kazipet 132 km from Hyderabad, India). He was appointed as Kazi of Warangal during the reign of Nizam Ali Khan (Asaf Jah II). His dargah is among the pilgrimage centers of Warangal, Telangana. The word "Biabani" is a plural of Urdu and Persian word "Biaban" which means soonsan (in Urdu) and uninhabited place in English. 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. Saint By Birth Afzal Biabani was a saint (Vali Allah) by birth. His mother said that there was something extraordinary in him right from the childhood. Some miraculous incidents were manifested even in his childhood. Once at the residence of his brother, Syed Murtuza Hussaini at Qutbi guda, Hyderabad, playing with children of his age (four to five years old) in the courtyard, he dug a small pit (well), like the other children. But to their astonishment water was found in the pit dug by him, whereas the other pits were dry. His maternal uncle said that Afzal Biabani would become a saint and a man of miracles in future by the grace of Allah. Sainthood 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. He preferred to live in a hut like any other poor man. His mother objected to it. She was of the opinion that he had to maintain the dignity of his social position. He politely convinced her and made the way clear to reside in a hut. This reflected his desire to break the barriers between the life of the master and a servant. He willingly opted for the dress, the food and lifestyle of a poor man. Soldiers as disciples Haji Mohibullah Khan Saheb from Delhi and Namdar Khan Saheb, a servant in the army at Bolaram in Secunderabad, wished to join the circle Afzal Biabani as disciples. When they went to his hut at Kazipet, they were informed that he was in the hut of a Hindu weaver (Padmashali) who was his immediate neighbour and friend, when they found the great Sufi resting his head on a