Biography of Rahman Baba (Abdur Rahman Mohmand)

Abdur Rahman Baba belonged to the Baezai division of the Mohmand tribe. He lived in the village of Hazar Khani in the tappa of Mohmands. Despite his learning, he lived the life of a darvesh, absorbed in religious contemplation and detached from worldly affairs. He is said to have been fond of hearing Qawalis like the Chishtiya school of thought.

In time, Rahman Baba began composing poetry and odes. Known for his emotional depth, he was often found in tears, which became so frequent that wounds appeared on his cheeks. His seclusion led to rumors from envious clerics, who accused him of heresy for avoiding congregational prayers. Eventually, at the urging of his friends, he agreed to join mosque prayers while maintaining his spiritual retreat.

Rahman Baba distributed poems to friends, who compiled them into a diwan after his death. Some verses mistakenly attributed to him were later removed, ensuring the authenticity of his collection.

Some historians claimed Rahman Baba debated poetry with Khushal Khan Khattak, but evidence suggests otherwise. While their lives overlapped briefly, Rahman Baba was closer in age to Afzal Khan, Khushal’s grandson. A key proof lies in Rahman Baba’s long poem on the tragic deaths of Gul Khan and Jamal Khan in 1711—25 years after Khushal’s death.

Rahman Baba’s descendants on his daughter’s side still reside in Deh-i-Bahadur, Mohmand territory, while the male line has become extinct. His tomb remains in his native village’s graveyard.

Source: "History of the Pathans", by Haroon Rashid, Vol-2, pp.461-462.

Hazrat Ilyas and Hazrat Khizr beside a pond, with Rahman Baba praying in the foreground. From a richly illustrated manuscript of his diwan, Kashmir, 1798. Source

A folio from an illustrated diwan of Rahman Baba, Rampur Raza Library. Source