Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi

**Ahmed Raza Khan**
Ahmed Raza Khan
Born	14 June 1856
Died	1921
Era	Modern era
Region	India
School	Barelvi
Main interests	Aqeedah, Fiqh, Tasawwuf

AlaHazrat Imaam-e-AhleSunnah Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil-e-Barelvi (Template:Lang-ur, Template:Lang-hi) was Mujadid of the 14th Islamic Century & One of the Greatest Islamic Scholar of the 19th Century, whose works informed the Barelvi movement. Imam Ahmed Raza Khan wrote on numerous topics of religion, Science, and Philosophy. He is best known for Kanzul Iman & his collection of Fatwas entitled Fatawa Ridawiyya.

The Auspicious Birth

AlaHazrat Imaam-e-AhleSunnah, Mujaddid of the Ummah, reviver of the Sunnah, destroyer of bid'ah, scholar of Shariah, guide of tareeqah, fountain of blessing, Allama Moulana AlHaaj AlHafiz AlQari AshShah Imaam Ahmed Raza Khan was born on Monday the 10th of Shawaal 1272ah (14th June 1856) at the time of Salaa-tuz-Zuhr in a place called Jasoli, which is in the city of Bareilly Shareef, India. The name corresponding to that year of his birth was Al-Mukhtaar. (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P58, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi) His birth name was Muhammad but his grandfather named him 'Ahmad Raza', and so it was by this name that he was famously known. (Al-Malfooz, Part 1, P3, Mushtaq book corner, Markaz-ul-Auliya Lahore)

Incident from Childhood

Sayyid Ayub Ali says that when AlaHazrat was a young child, a Maulvi Sahib used to come to his house to teach him. One day, the Maulvi Sahib was repeatedly telling AlaHazrat to say a word, but AlaHazrat could not pronounce it. The Maulvi Sahib was pronouncing the word with a zabr but AlaHazrat was pronouncing the same word with a zer instead. It happened time and time again. The grandfather of AlaHazrat , Moulana Raza Ali Khan also witnessed this situation and called AlaHazrat to himself and asked for the Holy Qur'an. Moulana Raza Ali Khan noticed that the copyist had accidentally placed a zabr instead of a zer and was astonished to see that the pronunciation of Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan was actually accurate and perfect. His respected grandfather asked, 'Ahmad Raza Khan ! Why are you not following your teacher?' AlaHazrat politely replied, 'I tried my best to follow the pronunciation of my teacher but I lost control over my tongue.' The Maulvi Sahib witnessed many other peculiar incidences similar to this one and once privately asked AlaHazrat , 'Oh son, be honest with me, I promise I will not tell anybody, are you a human or a Jinn?' AlaHazrat replied, 'All praise be to Allah , I'm human, however, the grace and generosity of Allah accompanies me all the time (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P68, Maktaba-tul-Madina Karachi)

First Fatwa

At the age of 13 years, 10 months and 4 days, after studying the prevalent sciences under the guidance of his respected father Moulana Naqi Ali Khan , a Dastàar (accomplishment of Islamic studies) was awarded to AlaHazrat . On this very day, he wrote a Fatwa and presented it to his respected father Moulana Naqi Ali Khan who found it absolutely correct. Looking to the talent of his son, Moulana Naqi Ali Khan authorised AlaHazrat to work as a Mufti and AlaHazrat continued this until the end. (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P279, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

AlaHazrat as a Mathematician

Allah had blessed AlaHazrat with knowledge of great sciences. AlaHazrat wrote about fifty different types of knowledge and was an expert in every single science. AlaHazrat was such a professional astronomer and astrologer that he would set his clock just by observing the sun in the day and the stars at night. The time that he would set would always be precise and accurate with not even a minute difference. AlaHazrat was also a unique and remarkable mathematician. Once, Sir Zia-ud-Deen, vice chancellor of Ali Gar university, a prominent Mathematician of Indo-Pak Subcontinent, and holder of many international degrees, came to Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan . After greeting Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan , he asked the mathematician the purpose of coming. He answered, 'I have come to seek help in solving a mathematical problem.' Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan asked, 'What is the problem?' The vice-Chancellor explained, 'It is not such an ordinary and easy problem that I can state it in such a way.' However, Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan again asked, 'What is the problem?' The vice chancellor hesitantly presented the full complexity of the problem but to his astonishment, Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan solved the problem immediately! In a state of awe and shock at the speed of the solution that Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan had provided, he exclaimed, 'My intention had been to travel to Germany for the solution but Professor Moulana Sayyid Suleiman Ashraf (Professor of Islamic studies) guided me here. It seemed as if you were observing the solution of this problem in a book.' When the vice-chancellor returned home, due to the impact of this experience, he grew a beard and became punctual in performing salaah and fasting. (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P223-228, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan was also proficient in arithmetic, astrology, astronomy, Ilm-e-Ja'far etc.

Extraordinary Memory

Abu Haamid Sayyid Muhammad Khachauchi says that when people gave up finding the references for Fiqh in order to reply to questions, they would go to AlaHazrat who would provide the precise book references straight away. AlaHazrat would say, 'look in rad-dul-muhtaar, so and so volume and so and so page, you will see the passage written down. It is written down in the book of Alamgiri, so and so volume, so and so page, so and so line etc.' When the people obtained the books, they would find the passage or sentence written down exactly as AlaHazrat had said. We can only say that this is surely God-given unique memory, that he knew even the '1400 year old books', off by heart. (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P210, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

Memorising the Qur'an in just One Month

Sayyid Ayub Ali states that one day AlaHazrat said, 'Some people, out of unawareness, write 'Hafiz' before my name even though I am not worthy of this title.' Sayyid Ayub says that on that very same day, AlaHazrat started memorising the Qur'an. The daily routine was most probably from after he made his wudu for Isha up until the time of Isha Jama'at. AlaHazrat memorised one Para (Chapter) every day and so finished the 30th Para on the 30th day. On one occasion, AlaHazrat said, 'I have managed to memorise the entire Qur'an in the correct order just so that the people of Allah who assume that I am a Hafiz not are not proven wrong. (Hayat-e-AlaHazrat, V1, P208, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

Love for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)

From head to toe, AlaHazrat was an example of love for the Prophet . The love that AlaHazrat had for the Prophet can be acknowledged by reading 'Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish', in which every line of every page is proof of the fact that the most sacred thing in the world to AlaHazrat was the love of the Prophet . Every single verse which he has written praising the Prophet from the depths of his heart, testifies his immense love & admiration for the Prophet . AlaHazrat never ever wrote flattering poems in praise of a chief or a governor to persuade or convince them of something, because AlaHazrat had whole-heartedly accepted the slavery, servitude and obedience of the Holy Prophet .

Once, the poets composed poems in praise & compliment of the governor of Nan-Para (district Behraich-UP). Some people requested AlaHazrat to also compose a poem in praise of the Governor. In reply to this, AlaHazrat wrote a Naat Shareef in the last verse of his poem, AlaHazrat very elegantly writes,

AlaHazrat says why should I compliment the rich? I am a beggar of the gate of my merciful Prophet . My religion is not 'Para-e-Naan'. 'Para' means a piece and 'Naan' means 'Roti', which metaphorically implies that I will not sell myself to the worldly kings.

Translation of the Holy Qur'an

The Urdu translation of the Holy Qur'an written by AlaHazrat is dominant over all present Qur'an Translations. (Sawanih Imaam Ahmad Raza, P373, Maktaba Nooria Razaviya Sakhar) The translation written by AlaHazrat is called 'Kanzul-Imaan'. The spiritual successor of AlaHazrat , Moulana Sayyid Naeem-ud-Deen Muraadabaadi has written the commentary inside Kanzul-Imaan.(Biography of Ala Hazrat, P7, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

Books & Compilations

No doubt ! Imam Ahmad Raza has written more than 1000 books on the above mentined rational and irrational branches of knowledge but till now his total writings have not been collected & listed. AlaHazrat has written thousands of 'Fatawa' (rulings) from the period 1286H-1340H, but sadly, not all of them have been recovered. Those that have been, are collectively entitled as 'Al'ata yanabavia fil Fatawa-e-Razaviya'. Every Fatwa contains an ocean of knowledge. You can appreciate and acknowledge the knowledge and far-sightedness of AlaHazrat with regards to Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh, Mantiq (logic) by studying his Fatawa.

The New Edition of 'Fatawa-e-Razaviya' consists of 30 volumes, 21656 pages, 6847 questions and answers and up to 206 booklets. (Fatawa-e-Razaviya (New Edition) V30, P10, Raza Foundation, Markaz-ul-Auliya Lahore) (Biography of Ala Hazrat, P7, Maktaba-tul-Madina, Baab-ul-Madina Karachi)

Dr Hasan Raza Khan has presented a list of about 600 books in his Ph.d. Thesis "Faqihe Islam." Maulana Abdul Mobin Noamani Azmi has compiled a list of about 750 books but till now he has not published the list in details. An abridged list of Raza's books in his Ph.d. thesis which are as such :-

Branch of Knowledge Number of Books

1- Excegesis 15

2- Principle of excegesis and knowledge of the Quran 1

3- Arabic Calligraphy 1

4- Hadith 36

5- Principle of the Hadith 5

6- certificates of the Hadith 3

7- Deduction of the Hadith 4

8- Critical examination of the Hadith 8

9- Encyclopaedia of the Narrators of the Hadith 7

10- Lexicon of the Hadith 1

11- Jurisprudence 253

12- Principle of Jurisprudence 7

13- Rasmul Mufti 3

14- Inheritance 4

15- Recitation of the Quran 4

16- Theology & Biography 124+4=128

17- Dialectic 7

18- Excellences and Encomium 32

19- History 3

20- Mysticism 12+2=14

21- Incantation 14

22- Ethics 3

23- Malfoozat, Letters & Sermons 5

24- Literature 22

25- Syntax & Etomology 3

26- Lexicon, prosody 4

27- Tabeer & Aufaque 2

28- Takseer 4

29- Jafr 9

30- Timings 18

31- Logarithms 2

32- Astronomical Tables 9

33- Geometry 4

34- Arithmetic and computation 14

35- Astronomy 16

36- Astrology 5

37- Algebra 6

38- Logic 3

39- Philosophy 6

Total- 685

Some famous books of Imam Ahmad Raza

1- Fatawa-e-Razaviya (30 volumes)

2. Husamul Harmain

3. Fatawa Harmain

4. Addaulatul Makkiah

5. Fatawa Africa

6. Ahkame Shariat

7- Kanzul Iman (Urdu Translation of Quran Al Kareem)

8- Hadaique- Bakhshish

9- Tamheede Iman etc.

Religious research

AlaHazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan investigated numerous religious questions:

In 1915 he wrote a treatise describing 160 types of water which are acceptable for wudu (ablution), and 146 types of proscribed water.
He identified 181 acceptable and 130 unacceptable materials for tayammum (alternatives to water for ablution).
He was able to fill up the Naqsh-i-Murabba (a sixteen column quadrilateral) by 1152 methods.
He knew 800 names of Mohammed from books, and was able to gather 1400 more.
He invesitaged whether it was credible that Hussain was able to travel from Mecca to Kerbala on 3rd Zilhij and reach there on 2nd of Moharram. He investigated the types of horses, the loads they carried, the route of the caravan, the types of terrain, and other factors, and finally concluded that the caravan could feasibly have reached Kerbala by the 2nd.

Imam Ahmed Raza as the Mujadid of the 14th Century

Undoubtedly, besides being recognised as a great Wali, as the Ghousul Azam and as the Imam Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu anhum) of his time, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was also the Mujaddid (Reviver) of Islam of the 14th Century. He possessed all the conditions of a Mujaddid and his entire life was spent trying to revive the Deen of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

A cloud of darkness had covered most of the world and the false concepts of Polytheism (Shirk) and Innovations (Bid'at) were coming into existence. The Muslims were in a state of confusion. They were surrounded by the cloud of Kufr (Disbelief), Shirk and Bid'at. It is through the Divine Grace of Almighty Allah and the Sadaqah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that the Reviver of the 14th Century, Imam-e-Ahle Sunnat, Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) shone like the sun. With his bright proofs, he destroyed the darkness of Kufr and revived Islam.

Professor Manzoorud'deen Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi said: "The reality is that on reading several books of Imam Ahmed Raza, I have come to the conclusion that through his writings and speeches, the Fatawa (Inquisitions) and hundreds of small and bulky treatises, he had struggled for the revival of Islam, and as a reward he was declared as a Mujaddid of this Century by the Ulema (Scholars of Islam), in particular, the scholars of Makkah and Madina (Haramain Sharifain). . .

" A Hadith recorded in Mishkaat Shareef and quoted by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) who says that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "VERILY, AT THE END OF EVERY CENTURY, ALMIGHTY ALLAH WILL SEND SUCH A PERSON TO THE UMMAH, WHO WILL REVIVE THE DEEN FOR THEM (THE UMMAH)."

In other words, when there comes a period in which there is a shortage of knowledge and a deterioration in following of the Sunnah; when there is an increase in false innovations and ignorance; then Almighty Allah will send a person at the beginning or end of every century who will show the difference between Sunnah and Bid'at. He will refute and destroy false innovations and will fear none but Almighty Allah. He will very bravely and sincerely hoist the flag of Deen-e-Muhammadi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Such a person is known as a "Mujaddid" (Reviver) of Deen.

The author of the book, "Siraajum Muneer", has explained who a Mujaddid is in the following words: "In other words, to revive the Deen is to revive those teachings of the Quran and Sunnah that are being destroyed and to give command according to the Quran and Sunnah."

Allamah Munaadi (radi Allahu anhu) states:"A Mujaddid is one who separates Sunnah from Bid'ah and one who degrades the status of the Ahle Bid'ah."

Why does a Mujaddid come after 100 years? A Mujaddid is sent after every 100 years because after every century the surroundings, the environment, the manner of thinking and ways of the people tend to pass through a massive transformation. It has been stated in the Hadith of Bukhari Shareef that during the latter stages of the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) physical life, one night, after performing Esha Salaah, he stood up and said, "Should I inform you of the importance of this night? From this night onwards, right up to the end of a 100 years, that person who is alive on the earth (presently) will not be alive."

Can their be more than one Mujaddid to a century? Yes. There can be more, and there has already been more than one Mujaddid to a Century. In the Hadith, the Arabic word that is used to explain the coming of the Mujaddid is in the singular tense, but according to the meaning, it is a plural as it has been explained in the Kitaabs of Usool-e-Fiqh. Allamah Mulla Ali bin Sultan Qaari (radi Allahu anhu) who is the Mujaddid of the 11th Century says, "From the words, not only one single person is implied, but the implication is towards a group of people, from amongst whom each one is reforming a single type of knowledge or all types of knowledge in his city."

Imam Ahmed Raza's Jihad Against The Insulters of Prophet Muhammad (SallalahuAlaiheWasalam

Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) spent much of his time also refuting those who insulted the dignity of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He left no stone unturned in safe-guarding the dignity and integrity of Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), in spite of being personally attacked by the misguided. These personal attacks did not bother him in the least bit!

Allamah Abdul Hamid, Vice Chancellor of Al Jamia Al-Nizamiyya (Hyderbad, India), said: "Mawlana Ahmed Raza Khan was a Sword of Islam and a great commander for the cause of Islam. He may justifiably be called AN INVINCIBLE FORT THAT HELPED TO DEFEND THE BASIC TENETS AND IDEAS OF THE AHLE SUNNAH WAL JAMA'AT. It is on accord of his untiring efforts that due respect and regard for the Messenger of Allah, Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and other Sufis and Saints of Islam is still alive in the Muslim Society. His opponents had to mend their ways. No doubt he is the Imaam (Leader) of the Ahle Sunnah. His written and compiled works reflect immense depth and vision."

Justice Allamah Mufti Sayyid Shuja'at Ali Qadri (radi Allahu anhu), Shariah Court, Government of Pakistan (Islamabad), said: "He was pious like Ahmad bin Hambal and Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani. He had true acumen and insight of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Abu Yusuf. He commanded the force of logic like Imam Razi and Imam Ghazzali, bold enough like Mujaddid Alf Thaani and Mansoor Hallaj to proclaim the truth. Indeed, he was intolerant to non-believers, kind and sympathetic to devotees, and the affectionates of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)."

The adversaries of A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) levelled many accusations and tried desperately in defending their Kufr statements. After much proofs, when it became absolutely clear to A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) that certain misguided individuals were not prepared in withdrawing their Kufr statements and making Tauba, and in order to protect Islam, he passed Kufr Fatawas against those persons. We should remember that he passed the "Fatawa-e-Takfeer" (Kufr Fatawa) against those persons who insulted the status and dignity of Almighty Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He passed the Fatawa-e-Takfeer on persons such as Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi and Khalil Ahmad Ambetwi and others because, through their writings, it was evident that they had insulted the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

We will quote some of the following blasphemous statements that were made by them:

On page 51 of "Baraahin Qatia", Khalil Ahmed Ambetwi says: "After looking at the condition of Satan and the Angel of Death, it can be gained that they possess a great depth of knowledge and this has been proven from Quran and Ahadith. To prove such knowledge for Fakhre Aalam (Muhammad sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) without proof from the Quran and Ahadith, but from common sense, is a false thought. If, to do so is not a Shirk, then in which category of faith does it fall?"

On page 6 of "Hifzul Imaan", (Printed in Mazahirul Uloom), Ashraf Ali Thanvi says: "If Knowledge of the Unseen refers to partial knowledge, then what speciality is there in Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Such knowledge is possessed by Zaid and Amr (any Tom, Dick and Harry), every child, insane people and all types of animals."

On page 5 of "Tahzeerun Naas", (Published in Makhtaba Fayz Nazd Jami Masjid Deoband), Qasim Nanotwi says: "Prophets are superior to their followers only in Knowledge, but in good deeds, followers sometimes seem equal and occasionally even become superior to them."

In Part 2, page 12 of "Fatawa Rasheedia", (Published Makhtaba Rasheedia Jami Masjid Delhi), Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi says: "The word 'Rahmatul lil A'lameen' is not a speciality of Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). But other Prophets, Saints and great Ulema are also cause for mercy unto the worlds, even though Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the highest of them all. Therefore, to use this word on others, is also permissible."

If one examines the original books that were written by such persons, one will find other similar disrespectful statements found in their writings. Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat's (radi Allahu anhu) cautiousness in declaring a person a Kaafir is to be noted in many of his books. In his book, "Subhaanus Subooh", he academically destroys the arguments of Molwi Ismail Dehlwi. Yet, at the end of the book, A'la Hadrat says, "The Ulema have not termed this individual as a Kaafir, therefore, one has to be careful."

Once again, refuting the arguments of Molwi Ismail Dehlwi and a few of his "infamous" followers in another book, "Al Kaukabatush Sha'haabiya", A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) says, "In our opinion (the opinion of Islam), to term a person a Kaafir and to control one's tongue is an act of extreme precaution and analysis."

In another treatise entitled, "Sallus Suyooful Hindiya", A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) states: "There is indeed a difference between accepting words of Kufr and branding a person a Kaafir. We have to be extremely careful. We have to remain silent. If there is the minutest possibility that he is still a Muslim, we should fear terming that person a Kaafir."

In his book, "Subhaanus Subooh", Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) says, "We do not give any comment on the Kufr of Molwi Ismail Dehlwi, simply because Sayyiduna Rasulullah (salal laahu alaihi wa sallam) has warned us against terming the Ahle Qibla as Kaafirs. (It is only possible) to term a person a Kaafir if his Kufr becomes clear as the sun and the minutest indication does not remain that he is a Muslim." (Tamheed-e-Imaan, pg. 42-43)

From the above statements, we clearly see how careful A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was, in terming a person a Kaafir. He was merely fulfilling his duty as a conscientious and responsible Muslim. The fault was indeed of those individuals, who even after being warned, remained steadfast in their own beliefs and words of Kufr.

As we have already stated earlier, Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) sent many of the blasphemous and insulting statements to the Ulema of Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinatul Munawwarah for clarification. They did not hesitate in passing the Fatawa of Kufr against such people who insulted Almighty Allah and the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

Antagonism towards Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and the Ahmadiyya branch

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian claimed to be the Mahdi (messiah) awaited by the Muslims. These claims proved to be extremely controversial among many in the Muslim community, and he was branded a heretic and apostate by many religious scholars of the time, including Ahmed Raza Khan. Ghulam Ahmad's claims are controversial to this day, but his Mahdi status is believed in by the Ahmadiyya branch of Islam.

When Ahmed Raza visited Mecca and Medina for pilgrimage in 1905, he prepared a draft document entitled Al Motamad Al Mustanad ("The Reliable Proofs") for presentation to the scholars of Mecca and Medina. Ahmed Raza Khan collected opinions of the ulama of Hejaz and compiled them in a Arabic language compendium with the title, Husam al Harmain ("The Sword of Two Sanctuaries"), a work containing 34 verdicts from 33 ulama (20 Meccan and 13 Medinese). The work concluded that Ghulam Ahmad's beliefs were blasphemous and tantamount to apostasy.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ Hayat-e-Aala Hadhrat, vol.1 p.1

Sources

Baraka, A - A Saviour in a Dark World (Article) The Islamic Times, March 2003 Stockport, UK
Haroon, M The World of Ahmed Raza Kazi Publications, Lahore 1974
Sanyal, Usha, Ahmed Riza Khan Barelwi: In the Path of the Prophet (Makers of the Muslim World), Oneworld, 2005.

External links

[1] Hayat-e-Aala Hadhrat, vol.1 p.1

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