of the Kayan family. Community sources state that Kayani grew up during a period of exile and displacement following political conflict involving members of his family during the reign of Abdur Rahman Khan.

According to Kayan Valley, Kayani did not receive extensive formal schooling but studied religious texts, Persian literature and classical poetry through private study and family instruction. These accounts also describe his elder brother, Sayed Faridun Khan, as an early influence on his intellectual