Pir Zia Inayat-Khan, familiarly known as Sarafil Bawa, is the first son of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan and Taj Inayat. Raised in the United States, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Persian literature from the University of London and his doctorate in religion from Duke University. His father trained him in Sufism and with his blessing, Inayat-Khan underwent seclusion at the Chishti khanqah in Ahmedabad and received spiritual transmission from Pir Rashid al-Hasan Jili Kalimi in Hyderabad. In 2000, Pir Vilayat confirmed Inayat-Khan as his spiritual successor. Since Pir Vilayat’s passing in 2004, Inayat-Khan has served as pir-o-murshid and president of the Inayati Order, guiding Sufi communities around the world. To provide opportunities for focused spiritual study, Pir Zia founded the Suluk Academy, which currently offers courses in France and the United States. The two central lodges from which he works are Fazal Manzil in Suresnes, France, and the Astana in Richmond, Virginia.
Inayat-Khan’s writings include Saracen Chivalry: Counsels on Valor, Generosity, and the Mystical Quest and Mingled Waters: Sufism and the Mystical Unity of Religions. He lives with his wife, Pirani Sartaj, and children, Rasulan and Ravanbakhsh, in Richmond and travels frequently.
