He was a Sufi Muslim by birth and when he met Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, he converted to Sikhism He is venerated by Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus.Peer Budhan Ali Shah, who some claim was born an Arab named Shams-ud-din, (Sun of the faith) was a Sufi Muslim Saint (some claim he lived to be more than 200 years old) He is also said to have been born in Talwandi (now known as Nankana sahib), the birth place of Guru Nanak sahib. He lived in the area of today's Kiratpur, long before the township was established.