Who was Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In June

Also Known As: Ahmed Rida Khan

Died At Age: 65

Family:

father: Allama Mawlana Naqi Ali Khan

mother: Husaini Khanum

children: Hamid Raza Khan, Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri, Mustafai Begum

Born Country: India

Theologians Indian Men

Died on: October 28, 1921

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1

Who was Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi and what was his significance in Islamic history?

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist in South Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known for his advocacy of traditional Sunni beliefs and his role in the Barelvi movement, which aimed to defend and promote the practices of the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat sect.
2

What were some of the key theological contributions of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi?

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi made significant contributions to Islamic theology, including his interpretations of Islamic law, his defense of the concept of intercession by Prophet Muhammad, and his emphasis on the importance of following traditional Islamic practices.
3

How did Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi influence the religious landscape in South Asia?

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's teachings and writings had a profound impact on the religious landscape in South Asia, particularly among Sunni Muslims. He was instrumental in promoting a more conservative and orthodox interpretation of Islam, which continues to influence religious practices in the region today.
4

What was Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's stance on Sufism and Islamic mysticism?

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was critical of certain Sufi practices and beliefs that he deemed as deviating from orthodox Sunni Islam. He emphasized the importance of following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, and advocated for a more strict adherence to traditional Islamic practices.
5

How did Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi contribute to the scholarly discourse on Islamic jurisprudence?

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was a prolific writer and scholar who authored numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence, known as fiqh. His interpretations of Islamic law and his legal opinions on various matters continue to be studied and debated by scholars of Islamic jurisprudence.

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Childhood & Early Years

Imam Ahmed Raza Khan was born on June 14, 1856 (10th of Shawaal, 1272 A.H.), in Jasoli, Bareilly, British India. He belonged to the Barech tribe of the Pushtuns.

Legend has it that his father, Naqi Ali Khan, had had a dream just a few days before Ahmed’s birthday, which signified his birth.

He was initially named "Mohammed," and because of the year of his birth, he was also named "Al Mukhtaar." His grandfather, scholar Raza Ali Khan, named him "Ahmed Raza," which was the name he used later.

"Abdul Mustafa,” was added to his name later, and showed his love and respect for Sayyiduna Rasulullah.

His father, Naqi Ali Khan, was taught by Ahmed’s grandfather, Raza Ali Khan. Naqi Ali wrote over 50 books, which are integral to Islamic literature.

Ahmed’s grandfather was a great Sufi of his time, who had also fought alongside General Bakht Khan, against the English, in 1834.

Once, during Ramadan, Ahmed’s father took him into a room full of sweets. He closed the door and asked Ahmed to eat the sweets, to which Ahmed replied that he had been fasting. It is a known fact that very young children are not required to fast during Ramadan. His father thus insisted that he eat and said that nobody was watching him, to which Ahmed replied that God was watching him.

He was 4 when he completed reading the ‘Quran.’ He delivered his first lecture at the age of 6, speaking on the birth of Sayyiduna Rasulullah. At 13, he completed his Islamic education and began issuing “fatwas,” or religious rulings.

Khan believed Muslims in British India were deteriorating in morality and intellect. He began a mass movement, defending Sufism, which grew in response to the Deobandi movement and the Wahabi movement.

His influence can be felt even in modern-day India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Turkey, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, the United States, and the UK.

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Works & Teachings

Ahmed, also known as Ahmed Rida Khan (in Arabic), or "Ala-Hazrat,” was taught by many scholars, including Shah AI-i-Rasul, Shaykh Ahmad Bin Zain Dehlan Makki, Mirza Ghulam Qadir Baig, and 'Abd al-Ali Rampuri.

He wrote books in Persian, Arabic, and Urdu. His books have been translated into various South Asian and European languages. Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqi was one of his well-known disciples.

He wrote a 30-volume “fatwa” compilation named ‘Fatawa Razaviyya.’ It is considered the primary “fatwa” of his movement. It contains solutions to various issues, such as religion, business, and marriage.

He also wrote the ‘Kanzul Iman,’ an explanation of the ‘Qur'an,’ which has been translated into languages such as English, Bengali, Hindi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Dutch, Pashto, and Turkish.

His 1906 treatise ‘Husamul Haramain,’ declared the founders of the Deobandi, Ahle Hadith, and Ahmadiyya movements infidels, saying that they did not have proper veneration of the Prophet Muhammad. He received support from 268 Sunni scholars of South Asia and of a few from Mecca and Medina.

His ‘Hadaikh-e-Bakhshish’ contained spiritual poetry that praised the Prophet Muhammad. His Urdu couplets, “Mustafa jaane rahmat pe lakhon salaam,” are recited in various mosques.

Some of his other works are ‘Al Fuyoozul Makkiyah,’ ‘Subhaanus Subooh,’ ‘Tamheed-e-Imaan,’ ‘Abna ul Mustafa,’ and ‘Al Meeladun Nabawiyyah.’

Beliefs

He believed that Muhammad was “insan-e-kamil” (“the perfect human”) and exuded a “nūr” (“light”) that announced creation. This belief was different from the Deobandi view that Muhammad, although a perfect human, was physically like any other human being.

He also believed that Muhammad was “haazir naazir” (“can be seen in many places at the same time”). He believed that the Islamic Shari'ah law was the ultimate law and all Muslims were bound to follow it.

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He also believed that a true Muslim should not imitate the “kuffar,” or “kafir” (non-believer), mingle with them, or participate in their festivals.

In 1905, he also wrote a “fatwa” on the permissibility of using paper as currency.

He declared Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyyah movement, a “kuffar.”

While visiting the Mecca and Medina in 1905, he wrote a draft titled ‘Al Motamad Al Mustanad’ (‘The Reliable Proofs’), in which he labeled Deobandi leaders such as Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Muhammad Qasim Nanotwi, and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi “kuffar.” He also declared the rituals of Shia Muslims and the Wahabis “kuffar.”

Political Views

His movement was against the Indian independence movement, and he was specifically against its leader Mahatma Gandhi, who was not a Muslim.

He believed Muslims had religious freedom in British India. He did not wish to label British India as “Dar al-Harb” ("land of war”). Many of his followers played major roles in the Pakistan Movement.

In 1877, Ahmed became the “murīd” of Imam-ul-Asfiya, Shah Aale Rasool Marehrawi. His “murshid” awarded him with “khilafat” in various “silsilas.”

Personal Life, Family, & Death

He had two sons and five daughters. His sons, Hamid Raza Khan and Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri, were both scholars of Islam. He later appointed Hamid Raza Khan as his successor.

Mustafa Raza Khan succeeded Hamid. His descendant Mufti Asjad Raza Khan is currently the spiritual leader of their religious sect.

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Ahmed breathed his last on October 28, 1921 C.E., at his home in Bareilly, British India. He was 65 years old at the time of his death. He was buried in the ‘Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat,’ where the annual Urs-e-Razavi is celebrated.

Legacy

Famous poet Muhammad Iqbal praised Ahmed and his consistency of opinions. However, Iqbal also criticized Ahmed, saying that had he not been hot-tempered, he could have been the Imam Abu Hanifa of his era.

An ‘Indian Railways’ express train named the ‘Ala Hazrat Express’ runs between Bhuj and Bareilly in India. On December 31, 1995, a postal stamp was issued by the Indian government, in honor of Ahmad.

The ‘Aala Hazrat Haj House’ and the ‘Aala Hazrat Hospital,’ both in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, were named after him. The ‘Ala Hazrat Terminal,’ at the ‘Bareilly Airport,’ in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, has also been named after him.

The ‘Raza Academy’ in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, is an organization of Indian Sufi Muslims and promotes Islamic thoughts and beliefs through research and writings. It publishes Sunni literature aligned with the school of Ahmed.

Facts About Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was known for his exceptional memory and ability to quickly memorize and recite Quranic verses and hadiths.

He had a deep love for poetry and wrote numerous poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and in defense of Islamic beliefs.

He was a strong advocate for unity among Muslims and worked tirelessly to promote harmony and cooperation within the Muslim community.

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was known for his humility and generosity, often helping those in need and being compassionate towards all people, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi Biography

You wanted to know

Who was Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi and what was his significance in Islamic history?

What were some of the key theological contributions of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi?

How did Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi influence the religious landscape in South Asia?

What was Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's stance on Sufism and Islamic mysticism?

How did Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi contribute to the scholarly discourse on Islamic jurisprudence?