Allāmah Ahmad Rida Khan

‘Allāmah Ahmad Rida Khan (affectionately called A’lā Hazrat)

~ ‘Āshiqĕ Rasūl, the Abū Hanīfah of modern times ~
Early Life
Imām Ahmad Rida Khan was born into a family of scholars on Monday, the 10th of Shawaal 1272 A.H (14th June 1856 CE) in Bareilly Northern India. Imām Ahmad Rida Khan was the son of Moulānā Naqī Áli Khān and Sayyidah Amman Miyān. His father was Moulana Naqi Áli Khan, a respected scholar who authored more than 50 books. One of his famous book on Mawlid–un-Nabi titled Suroorul Quloob fi Zikri Mouloodul Mahboob [Joy of the Hearts in Commemorating the birth of the Beloved], which received a very high distinctive position inIslamic literature.
His Educational & Spiritual Training
In addition to mastering the sciences of Algebra, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Philosophy, Logic, History, Prose, Calligraphy, Languages (Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and Persian); the Imām was said to have a commanding knowledge of 54 branches of various sciences and humanities, ‘Allāmah Ahmed Rida studied an array of twenty religious sciences mainly under the tutelage of his father Moulana Naqī Áli Khān, the son of ‘Allāmah Mawlana Raza Ali Khan. He also studied under the guidance of the following luminous personalities rahmatullahi ‘alayhim / (may Allah have mercy on all of them):
He also took knowledge of Islam and ijazahs in Hadīth from the following scholars:

Moulana Abdul ‘Ali Khan Rampurī (d. 1303 AH) – student of ‘Allāmah Fazle Haq Khairabadī, Shah Abu’l Husain Ahmad al-Nūrī Marehrawī (d. 1324 AH) – student of Moulana Nūr Ahmad Badayunī
Shah Aale Rasūl Marehrawī (d. 1297 AH) – student of Shah Abdul Azīz Muhaddith Dihlawī (d. 1239 AH)
Hadrat Moulana Abdul Ali Rampuri
Hadrat ‘Allamah Syed Shah Abul Hassan Ahmed Noori
Sheikhĕ Tariqah, Hadrat ‘Allamah Shah Ale Rasool Mahrahrewi
Sheikh Ahmed bin Zaini Dahlaan al-Makki
Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Makki
Sheikh Hussain bin Salih al-Makki

Imām Ahmad Rida Khan earned many authorizations; the most important (according to his own affirmation) was from the Mufti of Makkah, Shaykh Ábd ar-Raĥmān as-Sirāj ibn Ábdullāh as-Sirāj. At 22 years of age while on Hajj with his father, he also received many honours from renowned sūfi teachers of his time. The Hajj that Imām Ahmad performed in 1295 A.H. (1876) was a turning point in his life.

Imām Ahmad Rida followed the Qādri tariqah and was initiated into that sufi order by the noble spiritual master, Sayyid Khatimul-Akaabir Sha Alĕ-Rasul Ahmadi al-Husaini al-Qādri Barkaati of Mārahra (a town in northern India).
Strict Adherence to Sunnah and Abhorrence of Bid’a-tus-Sū’
As is expected of a great scholar of his caliber, Imām Ahmad Rida was insistent upon strict adherence to sunnah/way of the Prophet (pbuh) and abhorred bid’a-tus-sū’/ negative innovations. He vehemently opposed any excesses at Muslim gatherings to commemorate Islamic events such as fireworks, food wastage, and music; considering any such overindulgence as un-Islamic. There are explicit fatāwa/religious verdicts he has given regarding such matters.
He specifically cautioned people regarding their conduct when visiting graves as is evident in his response to a question about visiting the shrines of saints, the Imām responded: “When one enters the mazārāt/shrines of Auliyā’e Kirām/saintly personalities, one should do so from the foot end and as far as possible one should maintain one’s presence at a distance of four hand lengths. Thereafter, in a moderate voice, one should announce greetings … thereafter, one should make du’ā/supplicate to Almighty Allah for any request which is permissible by sharī’ah.” (Mas’ala No. 169, Page 212, Volume 4 of Fatawa Razvia)
For one who is undoubtedly an ‘Āshiqĕ Rasūl/adorer of the Messenger, Imām Ahmad Rida not only eulogized the Prophet (pbuh) in poetry, but also championed the sunnah/Prophet’s way in his teachings.

Imām Ahmad Rida’s Works
At the age of 14, Imām Ahmad Rida, was considered scholastically capable and thus given the responsibility of writing fatāwa (a legal pronouncement issued by a religious law specialist on a specific issue). Later in life, the Imām and a few of his selected aids were known to respond daily to over 100 religious/legal issues with the highest level of scholastic acumen. He was a prolific writer, authoring nearly 1,000 books and monographs of varying lengths in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Among the books authored by Imam Ahmad Rida and which have been translated to English are …

Ahkāmĕ Shari’ah ~ Rulings of Islamic Law
‘Irfānĕ Shari’ah ~ Spirituality of Islamic Law
Ĥusām al-Ĥaramayn ~ The Sword of Two Sanctuaries
Tamhīdĕ Īmān ba Āyāt e Qur’ān ~ Definition of Iman in the light of Qur’an
Anwar-il- Intibāh fi hallil nidā Yā Rasulallāh ~ The permissibility of proclaiming “Ya Rasool Allah”
Barakātu’l Imdād li Ahli’l Istimdād ~ Beacons of hope
As-Şamşām álā Mushakkiki fī Āyāti Úlūmi’l Arĥām ~ Emryology
Ityān al-Arwāĥ li Diyārihim baád ar-Rawāĥ ~ Return of the souls
Thalju’s Şadr bi Īmāni’l Qadr ~ Predestination
Isma ul arba’een fi shafa’at-I Sayyidul Mahbubeen ~ Intercession by the Prophet
Huqooq ul walidain ~ Rights of parents
Al-Hidāyatu’l Mubārakah fī Khalqi’l Malāyikah ~ Creation of Angels
Munabbih al-Munyah Bi Wuşūl al-Ĥabīb ila’l Árshi wa’r Ru’yah ~ Vision of the Divine
Kanzul Imaan ~ Interpretive Translation of the Qur’an
Fatāwa Rizwiyya ~ His “magnus opus” (comprising 12 000 pages in 12 Volumes) of legal edicts and responses.

Imām Ahmad was also a great poet who has to his credit many eloquent verses in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. The anthology of his Urdu and Persian verse is presented in a two-part volume titled ‘Hadā’iqĕ Bakhshīsh’ / Gardens of Salvation.

Students and Institutions:
Just like a tree is known by the fruits it produces, a teacher is known by the students he has taught and inspired. Imām Ahmad Rida taught a number of illustrious scholars rahmatullahi ‘alayhim / (may Allah have mercy on all of them). Among them were…

Moulana Didar Ali Lahori
Moulana Abdul Alim Siddiqui
Sayyid Ismail Makki of Hijaz
Moulana Sayyid Nùr Bangladeshi
Muhaddithĕ ‘Azam Hind, Mawlana Sayyid Mohammad Jilani
Mawlana Burhanul Haq of Jabalpur
Moulana Lal Mohammad Madrasi
Moulana Abd al-Hayy Afriqi
Moulana Naimuddin Moradabadi

In 1904 Imām Ahmad Rida founded the renowned Madrasah Manzar al-Islam in Bareilly. Many institutions of learning have subsequently become affiliated with him…

Jāmia Nooria Radawiyah (Bareilly) – India
Raza Academy (Bombay) – India
Idara TahqeeqaatĕImam Ahmad Raza – Pakistan
Raza Academy – London
Imām Ahmad Raza Academy – South Africa
Sunni Razvi Centre – Mauritius
Muhibbāne Raza-ĕ Mustapha – South Africa
Jamia Razvia (Lahore) – Pakistan
Dar-ul-‘Uloom Imām Ahmad Raza – India
Imām Ahmed Raza Foundation [IARF], established in the Kerala State India, to research and propagate Islam

A father of seven, Imām Ahmad Rida’s two sons also became scholars under his tutelage; Moulana Muhammad Hāmid Rida Khan Noori Barakaati and Moulana Mustapha Rida Khan Noori Barakaati.

Books about the Imam
Numerous books have been written on Imām Ahmad Rida’s noble life and magnificent contributions, among which are …

A’l ā Hadrat by ‘Abdun Na’eem Azeezi
Al-Mujaddid Ahmad Raza by ‘Allāmah Yaseen Akhtar
Ash-Shāh Ahmad Raza Barelvi by Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Qadri
Chaudwi Sadi ke Mujad’didĕ ‘Azam by ‘Allamah Zafruddeen Bihari
Imām Ahmad Raza aur Alamĕ Islam by Professor Mas’ud Ahmad
Imām Ahmad Raza Reflections & Impressions, by Prof. Dr Muhammad Masud Ahmed
Shāh Ahmed Rida Khan – The “Neglected Genius of the East” by Professor Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmad

In recognition of his eminent life, the following academic researches have also been carried out:

Dr. Usha Saanyaal, Ph.D Colombo University, “Ahmed Raza and the Ahle-Sunnat Wal Jamaat Movement”, Oxford University, Press, New Delhi.
Muhammed Muazzam Ali who wrote “Fundamental Faith of Islam -Treaties of Ahmed Raza“
British scholar, Dr Muhammad Haroon, who has compiled a thesis on “The World Importance of Imām Ahmed Raza Khan Bareilly.“

Titles conferred on Imām Ahmed by ‘ulamā of the Harmain alsh-Sharifain (as documented the books, “Al Fuyuzaat-ul-Makkiya“, “Hisām-ul-Haramain“, and “Ad-Daula-tul-Makkiyah”.

THE LEADER AMONG IMAMS AND MYSTICS
THE IMAM AMONG SCHOLARS OF AHADITH
THE PRIDE OF GREAT PRECEDING ULEMA AND THE LEADER OF FUTURE ULEMA
THE MUJADDID OF THIS CENTURY
THE ABU HANIFAH OF HIS AGE

What they said about him

The Grand Mufti of Makkatul Mukarramah at that time, Sheikh Hussain bin Saleh al-Makki gave him the title of “Diā’uddeen” / light of religion.
Sheikh ‘Umar bin Hamdaan al-Madani: “Imām Ahmed Raza Khan is that great ‘ālim, great philosopher as well as such a great researcher that his research baffles the mind.”
Professor Dr Ghulam Mustafā Khan, Head of Urdu Department at Sindh University, (Pakistan) said: ” ‘Allāmah Hadrat Ahmed Raza Khan is among the outstanding scholars. His deep learning, intelligence, vision and acumen, surpassed that of great contemporary thinkers, professors, renowned scholars and orientalist. Indeed, there is hardly any branch of learning that is foreign to him.”
A renowned theologian and a great saint of Delhi, Hadrat Moulana Zayd Abul-Hassan Faruqi al-Azhari, acknowledged the mastery of Imam Ahmed Rida Khan over Islamic Jurisprudence in the following words: “None can deny the knowledge of Mawlana Ahmed Raza Khan in the field of Fiqh. He was, no doubt, the greatest faqih (jurist) of his time.”
Moulana Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi states; “The scholars of Hijaz discussed some issues of Fiqh and Kalam with Imām Ahmad Rida and he wrote some monographs to present to them. He also answered some questions for them. His multitude of knowledge, speed of writing, acumen and intelligence left people amazed and astonished.” [ Nuzhatu’l Khawatir, vol.8, p.38, Da’iratu’l Ma’arif, Hyderabad]
Professor Dr Ayub Razvi, Head of Department Urdu, Urdu College, Pakistan, Karachi: “The learned Mawlana Ahmad Raza Khan (1856-1921) was a famous scholar, Jurist, Mathematician, Writer and Genius. He had special insight in Mathematics. There is no parallel to his expertise in Jurisprudence.”
Shaykh Musa Ali Shami al-Azhari Ahmad Darderwi Madani refers to Imām Ahmed Rida as “the Imam and Reformer of the Ummah.”
Dr Barbara D. Metcalf, Department of History, Barkley University, United States of America: “He was outstanding from the very beginning on account of his extra-ordinary intelligence. He enjoyed a divine gift of deep insight in Mathematics. It is said that he solved a mathematical problem for Dr Ziaud’deen for which the learned Mathematician was intending to visit Germany. Ahmed Raza himself was a towering figure, revered for his extra-ordinary memory, mental agility, and intellectual capacity, and honoured as a Mujaddid and a Shaikh. Guarded in his relation to the British Government, he sought above all to guard what he saw as correct practice and make religion vital in the personal life of Muslims of his day.”
Professor Dr Abdul Wahid Halepota, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology, Government of Pakistan, said: “A’lā Hadrat Mawlana Shah Ahmed Raza Khan is that ingenious personality of the Indo-Pak sub-continent whose academic position and legal insight has general recognisance. His multifarious achievements deserve that they should be spread on an international level. His greatest deed is that he beautified the hearts of the Muslims with the love of the Holy Prophet through his academic wonders, sweet speeches and most valuable poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet.”
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 fatāwa 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 his Century by the Ulema, in particular, the scholars of Makkah and Madinah. .”
The poet-philosopher ‘Allāmah Dr Muhammad Iqbal said: “I have carefully studied the decrees of Imām Ahmed Raza and thereby formed this opinion; and his Fatawa bear testimony to his acumen, intellectual calibre, the quality of his creative thinking, his excellent jurisdiction and his ocean-like Islamic knowledge. Once Imam Ahmed Raza forms an opinion he stays firm on it; he expresses his opinion after a sober reflection. Therefore, the need never arises to withdraw any of his religious decrees and judgements. With all this, by nature he was hot tempered, and if this was not in the way, then Shāh Ahmed Raza would have been the Imām Abū Hanīfah of his age.”

The passing of the Imām
On Friday the 25th of Safar 1340 A.H. (28 October 1921), as the jumu’ah call for prayer was going off in Bareilly, Imām Ahmad Rida breathed his last. Leaving this earthly abode at the age of 65, the world said farewell to the jurist, poet, mufassir, scientists, mathematician, theologian, muhaddith, reformer, intense adorer of the Prophet, the “Imām Abū Hanīfah of his time”; the scholar affectionately called “A’lā Hazrat ”.