The founder of the Suhrawardiya order. Though his maternal uncle Abu Najib Suhrawardi was mentioned as its founder but it was Abu Hafs who strengthened it and was responsible for spreading it. He was no ascetic, though living withdrawn from the world. The Caliph Nasir Din Illah sent Abu Hafs as Ambassador to Alauddin Kaiqbad I, Seljug ruler of Qonya, the Ayyubid ruler Al Malik al Adil and Khwarizm Shah. Al Nasir built for him a ribat, which included a garden. He was a great reaching Shaikh whose influence, not through his pupils, but his work Awarif-al Maarif has extended to this day. His pupils introduced his teaching to all parts of the Muslim world, especially India-Pakistan sub-continent. The great Persian poet Sa'adi who came under his influence when he was in Baghdad, referered to Shahabuddin's piety and love for his fellowmen in his Bostan. Abdur Rahman al Wasite wrote (about 1325) that the Suhawardiyya had more branches than any other tariqa.