The Pride of Ahl as-Sunnah | Hadrat Mufti-e-Aazam Qutb-e-Alam Mustafa Rida al-Qadiri Noori Alaihi raHma

The Pride of Ahl as-Sunnah | Hadrat Mufti-e-Aazam Qutb-e-Alam Mustafa Rida al-Qadiri Noori Alaihi raHma

Ghawth al-Waqt, Shams al-Arifeen, Mujaddid Ibn Mujaddid, Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam, Qutb al-Aalam Ash-Shah Abu al-Barakaat Muhiyy al-Din Jilani Aal-e-Rahman Muhammad Mustafa Rida Khan Qadiri Barakati Ridawi Alaihir raHmah, who is the beloved son of AlaHadrat AshShah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is the 41st Shaykh of the Silsilah Aaliyah Qadiriyah Barakatiyah Ridawiyah Nooriyah.The Halqa of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is one of the most well recognised Halqas in the world today. It is said that he has millions of Mureedeen throughout the globe which all consist of Great Ulama, Muhaditheen and Mufassireen.

Many of us have read various books and treaties, on the life of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). There is no doubt, that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was the Ghawth of His Time. He is a personality whose entire life was spent drowned in the love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam). He lived as a true servant of Allah and passed from this physical world, as a true servant of Allah. Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is no doubt the Pride of the Ahlus Sunnah. Not only are his mureeds and devotees, proud of having him as their Spiritual Master and guide, bu the great Auliyah, Ulama and fuqaha are proud of being his contemporaries. Every one of them, showed immense love and respect for him.

Alhumdulillah, we have once again been blessed with the coming of the Urs of Ghausul Waqt, Mujaddid ibn Mujaddid, Naa'ibe Aala Hadrat, Sayyidi Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). On this auspicious occasion of the Urs, We are presenting the thoughts of numerous illustrious scholars of Islam, about Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).

We pray that this humble piece of work is of benefit to those who wish to know more about this great Saint. May Almighty Allah through the Wasila of Nabi Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam) bless us all with the True Love for Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and all the Auliyah Allah (RiDwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een). Aameen



Sayyaduna Ghawth al-Aa'zam's (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) words concerning Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

Hadrat Maulana Abdul Qayyum Muzaffarpoori narrates that a person by the name of Aashiq Ali wished to become Mureed of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He was informed that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was to visit Faizabaad, where Aashiq Ali lived.

When Hadrat visited Faizabaad, Maulana Abdul Qayyum took Aashiq Ali with him and requested Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) to make him mureed. Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) thus commanded him to say the words of Bai'at, which he did. Hadrat then asked him to say that he had given his hand in the hand of Hadrat Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). Aashiq Ali said,

'I have given my hand in the hand of Mufti-e-Azam.'

Hadrat then said,

'Say that you have given your hand in the hand of Ghaus-e-Azam'

He again said,

'I have given my hand in the hand of Mufti-e-Azam' You have just asked me repent from lies, and now you tell me to say that I am giving my hand in the hand of Ghaus-e-Azam. You are Mufti-e-Azam.'

Hadrat then explained to him, that this was the method in which a person was entered into the silsila of Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and this has always been the method of the pious predecessors, and in this way, one is presented to Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). Hadrat then asked him to repeat the words again, but he refused. Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) then removed his Amaama Shareef (Turban) in Jalaal, placed it on the head of Aashiq Ali and said,

'Why are you not saying. Say, I have given my hand in the hand of Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).'

'Aashiq Ali now began to say this, and did so continuously, until he lost consciousness. After regaining his conscious, Maulana Abdul Qayyum took him aside and asked what had happened. Aashiq Ali replied by saying,

'As soon as Hadrat placed his turban on my head, I saw Sarkaar-e-Ghaus-e-Azam Jilani (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) standing in front of me and he said, 'Aashiq Ali! The Hand of Mufti-e-Azam is my hand. He is my representative and my deputy. Say, I have given my hand in the hand of Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)' Then, I saw that my hand was in the hand of Ghaus-e-Azam. This is why I could not stop saying it and lost consciousness when Ghaus-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) left.'



Sultaanul Aarifeen Hadrat Sayyidi Abul Husain Ahmad-e-Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

He is the Peer-o-Murshid of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and one of the Grandmasters of the Barakaatiyah Silsila. He was the personality that informed Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) about the birth of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). Six months after the birth of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), Hadrat Noori Mia (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) went to Bareilly Shareef.

On arrival, he asked to see Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was carrying Ghausul Waqt in his arms, bringing him to Hadrat Noori Mia (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He did not wait to be offered to hold the young Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He stretched out his blessed hands and took Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) from Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). For quite some time, he kissed the forehead of Ghausul Waqt, and congratulated Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He then said,

'This child is born a Wali. He is very blessed. He will be blessed with long life. This child will do great service to Deen-e-Islam. The servants of Allah, will attain immense benefit through him. This child is the Sheikh-ul-Mashaa'ikh (The Grandmaster of Grandmasters).'

After saying this, he placed his fingers in the young Mufti-e-Azam's mouth and initiated him into the spiritual order. He even blessed Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) with Khilaafat at the tender age of six months.

AlaHadrat Ash Shah Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

The father of Hadrat Mufti'e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and the Mujaddid of the fourteenth century, knew the excellence and greatness that his blessed son was bestowed with. In the month of Rajab 1339, he announced the following, in a gathering of Ulama,

'On the basis of the authority that I have been given by Allah and His Rasool (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam), I hereby appoint these two (Sadrush Shariah and Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam), not only as Mufti, but on behalf of the Shariah, I appoint them both as Qaazi (Chief Muslim Justice), and their judgement is the same as that of a Qaazi-e-Islam.'



Ustaaz-ul-Asaatiza Hadrat Allama Mufti Rahm Ilahi (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

He was one of the persons blessed with the honour of teaching Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) as a child. The Sainthood and piety of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was apparent from his early childhood. Hadrat Allama Mufti Rahm Ilahi (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), seeing the foresight and greatness of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) as a child once said the following to Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) :

'I am greatly honoured, that you have appointed me as the teacher of the future Mujaddid (Reviver), but I know that the true teaching will be done by you. I already see the amazing signs of Wilaayat and wisdom in him even now.'

Hadrat Ahsan-ul-Ulama Hadrat Sayyid Shah Mustafa Haidar Hasan Mian (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

He is one of the Grand Sheikhs of the Silsila Barakaatiya, and the father of the present Sajaada Nasheen of Marehrah Mutaahira, Hadrat Sayyid Ameen Mian Qibla. He says,

'I saw the spiritual son and sign of my forefather (Noori Mian), Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) in every way possible. I saw him whilst he ate, as he issued decrees, and as a True Successor of his blessed father. I saw him in the eyes of the public and in the privacy of his home. According to me, in every thing he did, there was piety, knowledge, wisdom and strict adherence of the Sunnah. He was a very great Aabid, Zaahid, Leader and a Mujahid in Deen. In the present era, I have never seen any person more pious and with more knowledge of Islam than him. His services to revive Islam is clear and evident. There is no doubt., that he is the Mujaddid of the fifteenth century.'

Qutb-e-Bilgiram, Hadrat Allama Maulana Sayyid Shah Aale Muhammad Suthre Mian (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

He was the successor of Hadrat Meer Sayyid Abdul Waahid Bilgirami (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), who is a mighty Sheikh of the Silsila-e-Barkaatiyah, was a great Wali of his time. He was a direct descendant of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam) and a personality whose wilaayat was apparent to all. He says,

'If one reads the illustrious works of our pious predecessors, then the piety and the explanation of the pious servants of Allah that are found in these works, are seldom seen in the Ulama of today. On numerous occasions, Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind Maulana Shah Mustafa Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) visited Bilgiram Shareef, and I often visited Bareilly Shareef.. Those signs, that were found in our predecessors, can be found in Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He is a exalted Wali Allah, a unique Jurist and an embodiment of knowledge, wisdom and proper practices. I have as yet not seen anyone that shows respect to the Sayyids, like Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).'

Hadrat Suthre Mian (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was once asked concerning the present Mujaddid, and he replied by saying,

'There is no doubt in my mind, that it is Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) who is the Mujaddid of this century.'



Khalifa-e-Aala Hadrat, Burhaan-e-Millat, Hadrat Allama Burhanul Haq Jabalpuri (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

Hadrat Burhaan-e-Millat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), is one of the last Khalifas of Aa'laHadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).' A personality that attained great blessings from Sayyidina Aala Hadrat Azeemul Barkat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He says,

'The Blessed son of Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), is that personality whose every word and every sentence is a law by itself. Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is following in the footsteps of his father, in both his statements, and his actions, and his features and qualities are a replica of Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)'

Hadrat Mufti Shah Hakeem Hasnain' Raza Khan (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

Hadrat Hasnain Raza Khan (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), is the son of Ustaz-e-Zaman Hadrat Hassan Raza Khan (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih), who was the brother of Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He says,

''I was born six months before Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), but He is much more greater than I am. And he has been blessed with a very exalted status. The Truth is, that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is Qutbul Irshaad. I am his cousin, and one who live with him in the same house. We both spent our childhood together, but I never saw him waste any time playing (like other children). Take note of this statement of mine, 'If you take a bright light and search the entire earth, then By Allah, you will never find a Sheikh like Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).'

Qutb-e-Madinah Hadrat Sheikh Zia-ud-Deen Madani (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

The personality of Qutb-e-Madinah (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is one that needs not real introduction. He was a loyal devotee and Khalifa of Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). A personality who spent his life in the City of Light, Madinatul Munawwara. He says,

'Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was born in 1310 Hijri and this humble servant of Madinah was born in 1294 Hijri. At this time, I was sixteen years old. In 1313 I was a student at Madrasatul Hadith in Pillibit, and every Thursday, I would accompany Hadrat Muhadith-e-Surti (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) when he went to Bareilly Shareef to visit Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). During this time, Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was three years old, and for two years, from 1313 t0 1315, I went toBareilly Shareef every Thursday. None knows Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) like the way I know him. I saw his childhood, his youth and now I am seeing his old age. During their old age, everyone decides to become more pious and everyone does good deeds in their old age. There is nothing splendid about this. The splendour, is in portraying piety in ones youth, and to protect ones self from acting against the Shariah in ones youth, since this is the most testing time.' Ziaaud-Deen Ahmed announces with great pride, in front of the Gumbad-e-Khadrat (Green Dome of the Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam), in Madinah Paak, that I saw with my very own eyes that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was an embodiment of piety and fear of Allah from childhood. Is there anyone, that can now understand his piety? Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) himself was proud of him. He is from head to toe the splitting image of Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). I may be 16 years older than him, but in status, he is much more elevated than me. At the age of nine, Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) said that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is a Wali'



Sadrul Afaadil Allama Naeemud'Deen Muradabadi (RaHmatullahi Ta'ala Alaih)

Hadrat Sadrul Afaadil Allama Naeemud'deen Muradabadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is the Khalifa of Aala Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and a personality with great knowledge. He is the personality that wrote the commentary Khazaa'inul Irfaan on Kanzul Imaan, the Urdu translation of the Holy Quran by Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).

Taajush Shariah Allama Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qibla states,

'I heard that when anyone asked Sadrul Afaadil concerning his opinion on any religious matter, then he would answer their query, but if they told him that Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) said otherwise, then he would immediately stop and say, 'Whatever Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) said is proper and true.''

Raees-e-Orissa Hadrat Mujaahid-e-Millat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

Sultaanul Munazireen, Sheikhul Aarifeen, Hadrat Mujaahid-e-Millat Maulana Shah Habeebur Rahman Abbasi Razvi (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was a contemporary of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).He says,

'Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is that King of the Auliyah of his era. This faqeer is his humble servant. This is the year 1399 Hijri. All the conditions of a Mujaddid are found in its most high form in Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). Only one condition is left. The fourteenth century is about to come to an end. If he gains some part of the fifteenth century, then there is no doubt, that he is the true Mujaddid of the fifteenth century.'

It must be noted, that as per the statement of Hadrat Mujaahid-e-Millat (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) did attain part of the fifteenth century, as he only passed from this world in 1402 Hijri. According to Hadrat Mujaahid-e-Millat's statement, Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is the Mujaddid of the fifteenth century.

Taajush Shariah Allama Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadri al-Azhari

Taajush Shariah, the successor and grandson of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) says in one of his poetic stanzas in praise of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho),

Mutaqqi Ban Kar Dikhaye Is Zamaane Me Koyi
Ek Mere Mufti-e-Azam Ka Taqwa Chorr Kar

In this stanza, he says, that there are many who claim piety today, but' this claim should be made only after looking at the piety of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). In other words, he is explaining that in this time, there is none more pious and Allah fearing, than Ghausul Waqt Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).



Sadrul Mudariseen, Ustazul Ulama Hadrat Allama Maulana Naeemullah Khan Razvi Noori

Hadrat Naeemullah Khan Qibla is the Principal of Madressa Manzar-e-Islam (Bareilly Shareef) and a true Aashiq of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He would often say,

'Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) is that Peer, that, no matter what you wish for, he blesses you with it. He is a Kaamil Sheikh, and those who are his mureeds need not to turn to any other Sheikh, for all that they receive, is through the blessing of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho).'

Muhadith-e-Kabeer Allama Zia-ul-Mustafa Qaadri Amjadi

Muhadith-e-Kabeer whilst discussing Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) says,

'During Ramadaan, most of the Darul Ulooms are close. During this time, Faqeer Zia-ul-Mustafa used to go to Bareilly Shareef and take great benefit from attaining knowledge at the feet of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). I read Ibn Majah Shareef and Abu Dawood Shareef from Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) during these Holidays.'

Khalifa-e-Mufti-e-Azam, Hadrat Allama Maulana Abdul Hamid Palmer Razvi Noori

Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Razvi Noori is amongst the beloved mureeds of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). He spent his days in Bareilly Shareef in the services of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) until Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) passed from this world. He is a personality that is well loved even today by the family of Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and his services to the Great Master are fresh in the minds of the people of Bareilly Shareef. He says,

'Whoever had seen Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) will testify to the fact, that Hadrat was the Wali of his time, and there is none that could doubt the Wilaayat of Sayyiduna Sarkaat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). I lived for many years with Hadrat, and I have learnt of many qualities of a Wali. To my knowledge, Hadrat possessed all the qualities, that are conditions for a Wali. If every one of his qualities have to be described, then volumes will be written. One of his special qualities, was that just by looking at him, one would think of Allah. I had never seen Hadrat act contrary to the Shariat-e-Mustafa (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam). He was always steadfast on the Shariah, be it fard, Waajib, Sunnah or Mustahab. He never left any shortage in fulfilling these. As Hadrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) said, 'No person is a Wali unless he is steadfast on Shariah', and this was Hadrat's greatest Karaamat.'



Chronicle of Hadrat Mufti Aa'zam al-Aalam wal Hind (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)

Birth: 22nd Zilhajj 1310
Name : Muhammad Mustafa Raza
Title: Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam
Father: Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan
Murshid: Hadrat Abul Hussain Ahmad-e-Noori
1328 Hijri: Completion of Studies at the age of 18
1328 Hijri: Issued First Fatawa
1329 Hijri : Nikah
1336 Hijri: Establishment of Jamaat-e-Raza-e-Mustafa
1339 Hijri: Appointment as Head Mufti
1342 Hijri: Five Hundred Thousand hindus accept Islam at his hands
1343 Hijri: Sent a Delegation to Bihar and Orrisa with the mission of Islam
1354 Hijri: A Collection of his Naats Samaan-e-Bakhshish published
1359 Hijri: Establishment of Darul Uloom Mazhar-e-Islam
1359 Hijri: Journeyed all over India preaching against increasing infidelity
1368 Hijri: Plan to compile course in Urdu studies
1386 Hijri: Teaching of Ifta to his grandson Hadrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qibla
1396 Hijri: Fatawa against Nasbandi vasectomy and refuted Indira Gandhi
1402 Hijri: Travelled into the hereafter on the eve of 14th Muharram



— — —
Compiled by
Muhammad Aftab Qasim Noori
[Durban — South Africa]

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