Sheikhul Islam Wal Muslimeen
Has'saanul Hind Mujadid-e-Deen-o-Millat Aala Hazrat Ash Shah
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan
(radi
Allaho anhu)
HIS
POSITION IN THE SILSILA: Sheikhul Islam wal Muslimeen, Aayat min Aayatillah,
Has’saan-e-Zamaa, Burhaanul Awliyah, Haami-e-Sunnat, Qaami-e-Bid’at
Mujadid-e-Deen-o-Millat Aala Hazrat Ash Shah Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Qaaderi
Barakaati (radi Allaho anhu) is the thirty ninth Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah
Qaaderiyah Barkaatiyah Razviyah Nooriyah.
HIS BIRTH:
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allaho anhu) was born on a Monday, the 10th of
Shawaal 1272 A.H. (14th June 1856), at the time of Zohar Salaah in a place
called Jasoli, which is in the city of Bareilly Shareef,
India.
A few days before the birth of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allaho anhu), his
father, Allamah Maulana Naqi Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), had a wonderful
dream. He immediately disclosed this dream to his father, Allamah Maulana Raza
Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), who interpreted this dream by saying: "This
is a sign that you are going to be the father of a child, a male, who will grow
up to be pious and knowledgable. His name will gain prominence from East to
West."
This was
the good news that was given to Allamah Maulana Naqi Ali Khan (radi Allaho
anhu) concerning the birth of none other than the "emerald from amongst
the Treasures of Almighty Allah", the "sweet-scented rose from the
fragrant garden of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)", Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allaho anhu).
HIS BLESSED
NAME : The name that was given to him at birth was the beautiful name of
"Muhammad." The name corresponding to that year of his birth was
"Al Mukhtaar." His grandfather, a great Scholar of the Ahle Sunnah Wa
Jamaah, Allamah Maulana Raza Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), also gave the young
child the beautiful name of "Ahmed Raza." It was by this name that he
was famously known. Much later in his life, A'la Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu)
added the title "Abdul Mustafa" to his name signifying his great love
and respect for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam).
ILLUSTRIOUS
FAMILY HISTORY : Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Al-Qaaderi, was the son of Allamah
Maulana Naqi Ali Khan, who was the son of Allamah Maulana Raza Ali Khan, who
was son of Allamah Maulana Mohammed Kaazim Ali Khan, who was the son of Allamah
Maulana Shah Mohammed Azam Khan, who was the son of Allamah Maulana Sa'adat
Yaar Khan, who was the son of Allamah Maulana Sa'eedullah Khan (radi Allahu
anhum ajma'in). The great forefathers of A'la Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu)
migrated from Qandhar (Kabul) during the Mogul
rule and settled in Lahore.
Allamah Maulana Sa'eedullah Khan, the first forefather of A'la Hazrat held a
high government post when he arrived in the Indo-Pak sub-continent. His son,
Allamah Maulana Sa'adat Yaar Khan (radi Allaho anhu), after gaining victory in
the city of Ruhailah,
was elected as the Governor of that city. Allamah Maulana Hafiz Kaazim Ali
Khan, the son of Maulana Mohammed Azam Khan (radi Allahu anhum), was a
Tax-collector in the city of Badayun.
His son, Allamah Maulana Raza Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), the illustrious
grandfather of A'la Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu), did not serve in the Government.
It was from this generation that the heads of the family began to adopt
Tassawuf as their way of life.
HIS PIETY :
Another incident which happened in the Month of Ramadaan also shows A'la
Hazrat's (radi Allaho anhu) piety and fear of Allah. Fasting was not Fardh
(obligatory) upon him because he was still a child, but on that day he intended
to keep fast. It should be known that for a little child to keep fast in India
during the summer season was very difficult. The average temperature on a
summer's day rises to approximately 45 degrees Celsius. On that day, the heat
of the sun was intense. Hazrat Allamah Naqi Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu) took
his young son, A'la Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu), into a room where sweets were
kept. He closed the door and said, "There, eat the sweets." A'la
Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) replied that he was fasting. His father then said,
"The fasting of children is always like this. The door is closed and no
one is looking. Now you may eat." On hearing this, the young A'la Hazrat
(radi Allaho anhu) respectfully said, "Through Whose command I am fasting,
He is Seeing me." On hearing this answer from a little child, tears began
to flow from the eyes of Hazrat Allamah Naqi Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu). He
then left the room with A'la Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu).
HIS
FEATURES: He was a very handsome personality. He had very beautiful eyes, a
broad forehead which always shone brightly, a bright and handsome face, firm
nose, a very beautiful voice, a broad chest filled with the knowledge and
wisdom of Deen, beautiful feet which were firm on the seerat-e-Mustaqeem.
AALA
HAZRAT'S FIRST LECTURE : Sayyiduna Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) delivered his
first lecture at the age of 6 years. It was during the glorious month of
Rabi-ul-Awwal. AalaHazrat (radi Allaho anhu) stood on the Mimbar (Pulpit) and
delivered a lecture before a very large gathering which also consisted of
Ulema. His lecture lasted for approximately 2 hours. Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho
anhu) spoke on the Wilaadat (Birth) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allaho
alaihi wasallam). He brightened the hearts of the listeners with the love of
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam). The people listening were
thoroughly impressed by the maturity and eloquence of this lecture which was
being delivered by a 6 year old child!
HIS
INTELLIGENCE AS A CHILD: Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) was so gifted and
intelligent that there was no need for him to study beyond the fourth Kitaab of
his course under the tutorship of any of his teachers. He studied the remaining
Kitaabs by himself and used to later ask his teachers to test him. Once, his
teacher asked him, "Mia! Are you a Jinn or a human being? It takes me much
time to teach a lesson, but it does not take you much time to learn the same
lesson." Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho
anhu) answered, "Praise be to Allah that I am a human."
At the age
of 10, when he was studying the Kitaab, "I'lm-us-Thuboot", under the
guidance of his father, he noticed a few objections and answers of his father
on the side of the page. Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) studied this book
carefully and wrote such a well- explained footnote that even the need for an
objection was ruled out. His father came across his research on that objection.
He was so delighted that he stood up and held the young Aala Hazrat (radi
Allaho anhu) to his heart and said, "Ahmad Raza! You do not learn from me,
but you teach me."
AN
ASTONISHING EVENT DURING CHILDHOOD : At the age of 3, Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho
anhu) was once standing outside the Raza Musjid in Bareilly Shareef. an "unknown"
person, attired in an Arabian garb, approached him and spoke to him in the
Arabic language. Those who were present and witnessed this incident heard the
young Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) converse with this person in pure Arabic.
They were surprised. The person who spoke to Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) was
never seen again in Bareilly
Shareef!
COMMENCEMENT
OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION: During Aala Hazrat's (radi Allaho anhu) "Bismillah
Kwaani" or "Commencement of Islamic Education" a very strange
incident occurred. His respected teacher asked him to read the Tasmiyah, and
then told him to read "Alif, Baa, Taa, . . . ." Aala Hazrat (radi
Allaho anhu) began reading the "Alif, Baa, Taa, ..." until he came to
the word "Laam Alif" at which point Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu)
became silent. When his teacher asked him once more to read "Laam
Alif", he remained silent. The teacher instructed him, "Say, 'Laam
Alif'". Sayyiduna Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu), then replied, "I
have already read them earlier on. What need is there for me to repeat
it?"
Hazrat
Allamah Raza Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), who was witnessing this incident,
said, "Son! Listen to what your Ustaad is saying." Upon further
reflection, Hazrat Allamah Raza Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), realised the
reason for the objection of the young Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu). It was
because the teacher was teaching AalaHazrat (radi Allaho anhu) the lesson on
single alphabets. Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) felt that how was it possible
that a complete word like "Laam Alif" should be found in such a
lesson that only dealt with single alphabets!
When Aala
Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) heard this answer, he replied, "If that be the
case, then any other alphabet could be joined to the 'Alif'. Why the
'Laam'?" Maulana Raza Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu), out of sheer happiness
and excitement, embraced Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) and made Dua for him.
He then explained the answer to Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) in the following
brilliant manner: "In looking at them they both appear to be very much
alike, since they are both empty. Even when writing them together they look
very much alike. When it comes to their qualities then 'Laam' is the heart of
'Alif' and 'Alif' is the heart of 'Laam'." Hazrat Allamah Maulana Raza Ali
Khan (radi Allaho anhu) was in reality opening the doors and the treasures of
knowledge and spiritual insight to Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu).
Aala Hazrat
(radi Allaho anhu) was only 4 years old when he completed the recitation of the
Holy Quran. Due to the extraordinary intelligence bestowed upon him by Almighty
Allah, Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) completed his islamic education at the
very young age of 13 years, 10 months and 5 days. Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho
anhu) states that, "I completed my religious education during the middle
of the month of Shabaan in the year 1286 A.H. I was 13 years, 10 months and 5
days old at that time. It was also at this time that Salaah became Fard upon me
and I began to have great interest in the Laws of Shariah". [Al Ijaazatur
Radawiyya]
Aala Hazrat
(radi Allaho anhu) gained his basic knowledge at home. He later continued his
studies under the guidance of certain noted teachers. He studied under his
father, Hazrat Allamah Maulana Naqi Ali Khan (radi Allaho anhu). He completed
his primary education by Janab Mirza Ghulam Qader Baig, by whom he studied the
book, "Mizaane Munsha'ab." Aala Hazrat (radi Allaho anhu) also
studied under the guidance of the following luminous personalities :
1. Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ali Rampuri (radi
Allaho anhu)
2.
Sheikh-e-Kabeer, Hazrat Allamah Syed Shah Abul Hassan Ahmed Noori (radi Allaho anhu)
3.
Sheikh-e-Tariqah, Hazrat h Shah Ale Rasool Mahrahrewi (radi Allaho anhu)
4. Sheikh
Ahmed bin Zain-e-Dahlaan Makki (radi Allaho anhu)
