author
Sharaf al-Din Ahmad ibn Yahya Maniri
A revered Sufi mystic from medieval Bihar, he is best remembered for letters that turn spiritual guidance into vivid, practical advice. His writings helped make him one of the most enduring voices of Indian Sufism.
1 Audiobook
Letters from a Sûfî Teacher
by Sharaf al-Din Ahmad ibn Yahya Maniri
About the author
Born in 1263 and active in Bihar, Sharaf al-Din Ahmad ibn Yahya Maniri is widely known as Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri or Makhdoom-e-Jahan. He became an important Sufi teacher in eastern India and is remembered as a leading figure of the Firdausi branch of the Suhrawardi tradition.
He is especially famous for his collection of spiritual letters, often called the Maktubat or Hundred Letters. Written for disciples and seekers, these letters explain inner discipline, devotion, and the relationship between teacher and student in a direct, thoughtful style that still feels personal centuries later.
Maniri died in 1381, but his influence lasted far beyond his lifetime. His shrine in Bihar remains closely associated with his memory, and his writings continue to be read by people interested in Sufism, Islamic spirituality, and the intellectual history of South Asia.