Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
Sindhi Philosopher, Sufi scholar, mystic
Died when: 62 years 44 days (745 months)Star Sign: Scorpio
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Sindhi: ??? ????????? ?????, Urdu: ??? ????????? ??????; 1689/1690 – 21 December 1752), commonly known by the honorifics Lakhino Latif, Latif Ghot, Bhittai, and Bhit Jo Shah, was a Sindhi Sufi mystic, and poet, widely considered to be the greatest poet of the Sindhi language.
Born to a Sayyid family (descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima) of Hala Haweli near modern-day Hala, Latif grew up in the nearby town of Kotri Mughal.
At the age of around 20, he left home and traveled throughout Sindh and neighboring lands, and met many a mystic and Jogis, whose influence is evident in his poetry.
Returning home after three years, he was married into an aristocrat family, but was widowed shortly afterwards and did not remarry.
His piety and spirituality attracted large following as well as hostility of a few.Spending last years of his life at Bhit Shah, he died in 1752.
A mausoleum was built over his grave in subsequent years and became a popular pilgrimage site.His poems were compiled by his disciples in his Shah Jo Risalo.
It was first published in 1866.Several Urdu and English translations of the work have been published since.Latif's poetry is popular among the people of Sindh and he is venerated throughout the province.