Who is Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi [alaihirrahma]
By: Abdul Raqeeb Malik Nizami
“Grandpa, do you know who Alahazrat is?” Ali, a twelve-year-old boy, asked his grandfather curiously. “Nabeel, my classmate was inquiring about him.” he further said. Grandpa looked at his bright grandson affectionately and spoke caressing his soft and silky hair, “Ok my son, today I’ll let you know about Alahazrat in the evening with others.”
In the evening, when they all settled down, holding a cup of tea, the grandpa began telling. Alahazrat was an extraordinary and inspirational personality. He had mastery over many areas, especially had an excellent command of Islamic sciences. He was a great poet, thinker, scholar, and scientist, as well as Mufti, Mufassir, Muhaddis, and much more. In short, you can call him a vast ocean of knowledge. Besides, he was a true follower and admirer of beloved Rasool [sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam]. Once he said, “If my heart is cut in two pieces, La Ilaha illAllah will be found on one piece, whereas Muhammad-ur-Rasool-ul-Allah will be seen on the other one.” He composed a remarkable collection of poetry in the love of the adorable Prophet and other Allah’s dear ones [sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam] which has been compiled in a book named Hadaiqe Bakhsish……..
“What’s his name, Grandpa? Tell me about his birthplace, works and so forth.” interrupted Ali.
“You kids don’t have any patience.” Grandpa pretended to be irritated….. and smiled.
He was born on Saturday 10th Shawwal, 1272 AH (June 14th, 1856) in Jasoli, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. His name is Muhammad and his grandfather called him Ahmad Raza, and now he is commonly known by the same name.
He was very bright and intelligent since his childhood. At the age of four and a half, he completed the recitation of the holy Quran. At the age of six, he delivered a speech in the presence of prominent scholars about the Prophet [sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam]. At the age of thirteen and ten months, he completed his Islamic studies under the supervision of his loving father Hazrat Allama Naqi Ali Khan [alaihirrahma]. He penned a Fatwa on the same day.
Alahazrat had an amazing and wonderful memory. Once, someone wrote to Alahazrat and addressed him as a Hafiz. But until then, he wasn’t a Hafiz. So he started memorizing the holy Quran and succeeded in learning the whole thirty parts of the holy Quran in only thirty days. In his life of 65 years, he managed to write approximately one thousand books on various topics. Fatawa Razviyya, the amazing collection of fatwas (Islamic questions and answers), compiled by him comprises thirty volumes is one of his best contributions to the Muslim Ummah. When you read his fatwas, you’ll come to know how great Alim he was. Along with it, Kanzul Iman, the translation of the holy Quran in the Urdu language is also a noteworthy masterpiece.
“Thank you Grandpa, now would you relate any inspiring story of him?” Ali couldn’t help speaking.
“Ok,” said grandpa. I am going to tell you a story narrated by Hazrat Allama Amjad Ali Azmi alaihirrahma, the author of Bahare Shariat. Once Alahazrat was teaching us hadith. During dars, he stood up and left the class, which never happened before. After around fifteen minutes, he came back and looked worried. His hands and sleeves were wet as well. He called me out of the Masjid. When I came before him, he ordered me to get him another kurta. He wore the fresh kurta and continued the dars. But I wondered what the matter was. So I penned down the date and time.
After eleven days passed, some people came to Alahazrat carrying some presents to offer him, and they stayed there for a few days. When they were about to leave, I asked them what brought them here. They told me, “We were sailing in a boat. Suddenly, the storm turned against us, and we got afraid of the boat to turn upside down. So we started praying to Allah by the name of Alahazrat. And, Alhamdulillah, Allah Almighty saved us for the sake of Alahazrat. This is why we came here to present some gifts and gain his blessings.” At once I remembered the day when Alahazrat left us in the class, this incident had occurred the same day. [Hayate Alahazrat, P: 357]
“Masha Allah, it means Alahazrat himself saved the people from drowning with the power given by Allah Almighty,” said Ali excitedly. “Of course, my son.” affirmed Grandpa.
Now let me tell you about his family briefly. He had two brothers named Hazrat Molana Hasan Raza Khan and Hazrat Molana Mohammad Raza Khan.
He got married to Irshad Begam, the daughter of Hazrat Shaikh Fazl, in 1291 AH (1874). He was blessed with two sons named Mohammad Hamid Raza Khan popularly known as Hujjatul Islam and Mohammad Mustafa Raza commonly known as Mufti Azam Hind (alaihimar-rahma) and five daughters.
“Would you like to tell me the date of his demise, please?” requested Ali. “That I am going to do.” He breathed his last on Friday 25th Safar 1340 AH falling on 28th October 1921 at 02:38 p.m. and was laid to rest in Mohalla Saudagaran, Bareilly Sharif, and Uttar Pradesh, India.
“Grandpa, what was his message to us?” asked the chatterbox.
The grandpa stared at him and continued…….. Alahzrat would ask strongly his followers and all Muslims to hold fast to Mazhabe Ahle Sunnah wa Jama’ah and stay away from the people leading to astray and the path other than the Quran and Sunnah. He would firmly command them to keep up performing five times Salah daily, to pray the missed Salah, and to observe all the missed fasts (roza). He would strongly instruct the eligible person to pay zakat. Furthermore, he would ask the one who affords the expenditure of Hajj to perform it. Not only that, but he would also firmly warn them to stay away from falsehood, backbiting, adultery (zina), homosexuality, oppression (zulm), hypocrisy, arrogance, trimming the beard more than Shariat allows and urge eagerly them to keep away from all bad habits.
“Wonderful! Grandpa, I also would like to follow his instructions and try my best to lead my life as he did. I’ll never waste my time in useless things, rather I’ll utilize them for good deeds which will be beneficial for me in this world and the Hereafter.” May Allah raise his rank in Jannat and give us tofeeq to lead such a life that pleases Allah Azza wa Jalla and His beloved Rasool. [sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam]
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