Bayazid Bistami رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه — Sultan al-Arifeen (The King of the Knowers of Allah) Abu Yazid Tayfur ibn Isa al-Bistami رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, commonly known as Bayazid Bistami or Sultan al-Arifeen (the King of Those Who Know Allah), was born in the city of Bistam in Persia. His grandfather Soroushan had embraced Islam, and his family was known for piety and devotion. From his youth, Bayazid رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه spent most of his time in isolation, worship, and spiritual contemplation. He was deeply devoted to serving his mother, and many accounts relate his extraordinary obedience and love towards her. One famous narration states that on a cold night, his mother asked for water, and when he found the jug empty, he stood holding the filled jug by her bedside until she awoke, not wishing to disturb her sleep. He is regarded as the founder of the 'ecstatic' (sukr) school of Sufism, emphasising the overwhelming experience of divine love and the annihilation of the self (fana) in the presence of Allah. His profound spiritual states and bold expressions of divine intoxication became foundational concepts in Islamic mysticism, complementing the 'sober' approach of his contemporary Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. He was known for extreme asceticism, spending long periods in worship, fasting, and remembrance of Allah. Despite his extraordinary spiritual states, he always maintained that the Shariah was the foundation of the spiritual path. Bayazid Bistami رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه passed away on the 15th of Sha'ban 261 AH (875 CE) in Bistam. His blessed shrine remains a place of visitation and spiritual blessing. Dawat-e-Islami's Maktaba tul Madina has published a dedicated book about his life and teachings.