Azhar Inayati is regarded as one of the distinctive voices in Urdu ghazal, having spent over half a century embellishing the aesthetics of this poetic form. His poetry seamlessly blends traditional values with contemporary sensibilities, lending his work a unique dignity. His real name is Azhar Ali Khan; he writes under the pen name "Azhar," while the suffix "Inayati" reflects his spiritual and poetic discipleship under his mentor, Hazrat Mahshar Inayati.

He was born on 15 April 1946 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to Safdar Ali Khan and Sajjadi Begum. He began writing poetry in 1958. After completing his B.A. and LL.B. in 1966, he briefly pursued a career in law. However, his poetic temperament eventually led him to dedicate himself fully to the literary world. He married Sophia Azhar on 21 October 1995.

Several collections of his poetry have been published, including:

Khud Kalami (1980)
Apni Tasveer (1989)
Jhonka Naye Mausam Ka (2006)
Haath Mein Haath Hawaon Ka Liye (2010)
Dariyche Mein Chaand (in Devanagari script, 2019 & 2020)
Aarzoo-e-Nijaat (2023)
Kulliyat-e-Kainat-e-Sukhan (2025), a complete compilation of his poetic works

Books written on his life and contributions include Azhar Inayati: Ek Sukhanwar (2004) and Azhar Inayati aur Ghazal (in Devanagari script, 2006). He has also compiled several significant literary works, such as Dehaat Ras (a collection of Mahshar Inayati’s rubaiyat), Majmua-e-Ghazliyat Nazish Niyazi, and Dabistan-e-Rampur.

In recognition of his literary contributions, he has received numerous awards and honors, including:

Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award (1990, 1997)
Bengal Urdu Academy Award (1980)
Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Award (1981, 1990)
Nishan-e-Baldia Award, Karachi (1991, 1996)
Sandur Academy Award, Lucknow (2019)

He has been associated with various intellectual, cultural, and social institutions, serving as:

President of the Peace Committee (1994–1995)
Member of the Urdu Academy, Lucknow
Member of the Advisory Committee of All India Radio
Member of the Sugam Sangeet Committee
Member of the Research Board of Advisors, American Biographical Institute
He is also the Chairman of Aman Foundation, Rampur, and a Life Member of the Red Cross.

Azhar Inayati has represented Urdu ghazal not only across India but also at international poetry symposiums in the USA, Pakistan, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, London, and Canada. In 2024, a grand celebration titled Jashn-e-Azhar Inayati was organized at Delhi’s Aiwan-e-Ghalib in his honor — a testament to his international literary stature.

His ghazals have been performed by legendary artists such as Jagjit Singh, Ustad Aslam Khan, and Junaid Akhtar, significantly enhancing the reach and appeal of his poetry. Azhar Inayati remains a luminous and dynamic presence on the contemporary Urdu ghazal landscape, continually shaping new poetic dimensions with his creative vision.