Mazaq Badauni (Sayyid Shah Mohammad Dildar Ali), known by his pen name *Mazaq*, was born on 29th December 1819 in Badaun. His family lineage goes back to Hazrat Siddiq-e-Akbar. At 18, he moved to Lucknow and attended poetic gatherings of Atish and Nasikh, initially using the pen name *Ayyar*. He became an expert in Arabic and Persian. Later, he went to Delhi and became a student of Zauq.
He was polite, well-mannered, and deeply devoted to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He stayed away from fame and worldly displays. He had a special spiritual connection with Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Sheikh Muinuddin Chishti.
In Delhi, he attended poetic gatherings (Mushairas) with Momin and Ghalib. He passed away on 11th October 1894 in Badaun. Every year, a three-day Urs is held at his shrine.
His poetry collection has fewer ghazals and more Hamds (praises of God), Naats (praises of the Prophet), Manqabats (tribute to Hazrat Ali), Musaddas (six-line stanza poems), and Masnavis.