Syed Abul Fazal Sultan Ahmad (; 1909âÂÂ1984), also known as Chandrapuri according to his birthplace, was a Bangladeshi Sufi saint, spiritual leader and Islamic scholar. He is most widely recognized as the founder of Chandrapara Pak Darbar Sharif in the Faridpur district and as the spiritual guide (Murshëd) of the late Syed Mahbub E Khoda Dewanbagi, the founder of Dewanbag Sharif.
He is widely revered by his followers as Sultan al-Awliya and the Imam of the Sultania-Mujaddidi Tariqa (a Sufi order).
His nisba al-ChÃÂndrÃÂpurë or Chandrapuri indicates his origin from Chandrapara village in Dhaukhali Union under Sadarpur upazila of Faridpur district.
Ahmad was born in 1909 in Chandrapara village of Faridpur District, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India. His father was Syed Muhammad Qurban Ali Khan and his mother was Begum Khadiza Khatun. His maternal grand-father was Mohammad Amin Uddin Munshi.
His ancestors came to Bengal region from distant Arabia via Anatolia and first settled in Chittagong. Then they went to Faridpur and settled first in Kishtpur village and later in Dashajar village. Finally, they settled in Chandrapara village.
Ahmad studied at Rajachar Madrasa in Faridpur for 6 years. He then studied at Osmania Madrasa in Chandpur, Kamranga Madrasa in Matlab, and finally Hammadia Madrasa in Dhaka.
Ahmad belonged to the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi spiritual lineage. He was a disciple (khalifa) of the renowned Sufi saint Khwaja Yunus Ali Enayetpuri of Sirajganj. He later introduced the Sultania-Mujaddidi order.
His teachings focused heavily on Tazkiyah-e-Nafs (self-purification), Zikar-e-Qalbi (Heart awakening), and the strict observance of Islamic rituals combined with spiritual devotion (Marifat).
He established the Chandrapara Pak Darbar Sharif in the Faridpur district. This institution serves as a center for spiritual learning and currently draws thousands of devotees, particularly during the annual Urs (religious gathering commemorating a saint's demise).
Ahmad's first wife was named Chamirunnesa Khanom. They had five daughters. Their fourth daughter, Syeda Hamida Begum, was married to Syed Mahbub-e-Khoda, the chief caliph of Ahmad.
Ahmad's second wife was named Khodeza Begum. They had five daughters and one son. Their son Syed Qamaruzzaman is acting për of Chandrapara Pak Darbar Sharif.
Ahmad died in his Darbar Sharif on March 28, 1984. He was buried in the Darbar Sharif he established.
Ahmad has authored books on Sufism in Bengali. Notable works include:
His demise anniversary (Urs) is a major event at the Chandrapara Darbar, usually celebrated in January (often mid-January) each year, attracting a large number of followers from Bangladesh.
He is credited with spreading the teachings of the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi order extensively in the region, emphasizing the "Dhikr" of Allah within the heart (Qalb). He is credited with being a "reformer of the age" in the context of Sufi traditions in Bangladesh. He later established the Sultania-Mujaddidi Tariqah (spiritual order).
His chief caliph and successor, Syed Mahbub E Khoda Dewanbagi (founder of Dewanbag Sharif), organized 8 World Sufi Conferences from 1989 to 1996 and 20 World Ashek-e-Rasul (PBUH) Conferences from 1997 to 2018 to commemorate his birth anniversary.
Naqshbandi Sufis claim that Sultan Ahmad is descended from a long line of "spiritual masters" which were claimed by the order:
Some critics of Ahmad have questioned certain aspects of his religious teachings and legacy. In writings circulated on Islamic commentary platforms, detractors have characterized particular doctrinal statements attributed to his followers as deviating from mainstream interpretations of Islamic theology, particularly regarding the nature of angelic beings and spiritual hierarchies; these critiques describe such views as inconsistent with orthodox Sunni belief, though supporters of Ahmad reject these characterizations and emphasize his role within the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Sufi tradition.