ACADEMIC
SERVICES
Proficiency
in over fifty Branches of Knowledge; Translation and Commentary of the Holy
Quran; Authority in the Field of Ahadith; A Great Jurist of his time; Imam Ahmed
Raza's I'lm-e-Jafar; His Knowledge of Philosophy and Science; Knowledge of
Astronomy and Astrology; A Mathematical Genius; Contribution to the Field of
Poetry
PROFICIENCY IN OVER FIFTY BRANCHES OF KNOWLEDGE
If we
study the life of A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu), we will discover that
HIS PROFICIENCY IN VARIOUS SUBJECTS TOTAL OVER FIFTY FOUR BRANCHES OF
KNOWLEDGE. Is it possible today, to find an Islamic scholar or even a
non-Muslim professor, scientist, educationist or a Nobel Prize owner who possesses
such qualifications? Arab Scholars like Sheikh Ismail bin Khalil and Sheikh
Musa Ali Shami (radi Allahu anhuma) commended A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu) as the Revivalist of the 14th Century A.H.: "IF HE IS
CALLED THE REVIVALIST OF THIS CENTURY, IT WILL BE RIGHT AND TRUE."
Commenting
on A'la Hadrat's (radi Allahu anhu) reputation and his knowledge, Dr
Jamil Jalibi, Vice Chancellor, Karachi University (Pakistan) said: "Mawlana
Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi was an eminent Jurist, leading scholar, scientist, Naa'tia
poet, a keen observer of Shariah and a Saint. His crowning scholarship can be
imagined by the fact that he had commanding knowledge of about 54 branches of
various sciences and humanities. He has contributed valuable works in almost
all of them. He left behind more than a thousand treatises."
Professor
Dr Wahid Ashraf, Baroda University, in Baroda said: "There is no
shortage of renowned personalities in the history of Islam who made rich
contributions to various fields of knowledge through their divine-gifted
qualities of learning, wisdom and insight. Ibn Sina, Umar Khayyam, Imam Razi,
Imam Ghazzali, Al Beruni, Farabi and Ibn Rushd are a few rich names that shall
always be remembered with pride. Among them, someone is renowned for Philosophy
and Medicine, some other famous for Mathematics, another in Astrology, yet
another is known for Moral Philosophy. Someone is an expert in Greek Thoughts,
etc., BUT THE MOST OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY WAS BORN IN INDIA AND PASSED AWAY IN
THE PRESENT CENTURY. HE WAS AHMED RAZA BAREILVI WHO ENJOYED SUCH A COMMAND IN
VARIOUS BRANCHES OF KNOWLEDGE THAT ONLY EXPERTS OF THE SPECIAL FACULTY CAN
DISCUSS FULLY AND SUCCESSFULLY."
TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY OF THE HOLY QURAN
Many
people have translated the Holy Quran into the Urdu language, but the
translation of the Holy Quran presented by A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)
- called "Kanzul Imaan" - is proven to be the most unique translation
in the Urdu language. In his translation one sees that A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu) used only those words in his translation that are worthy for
the Attributes and Qualities of Almighty Allah and of His beloved Rasool (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
It is
said that the translation of the Holy Quran by A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu
anhu) is not merely a literal translation, but is also the commentary of
the Holy Quran. In the words of Hadrat Sayyiduna Muhaddith-e-Azam Hind (radi
Allahu anhu), "IT IS NOT ONLY THE TRANSLATION OF THE QURAN, IT IS THE
QURAN."
We
have taken just one example of a Verse from the Holy Quran that has been
translated by various persons and compared it with the beautiful translation of
A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). We have taken Sura 93, Verse 7 as an
example:
(1)
"And he found you lost on the way and he guided thee."
Translation
by Mohammad Asad
(2) "And
found thee groping so he showed the way."
Translation
by Muhammad Ali Lahori Qadiani
(3) "And
He found you uninformed of Islamic laws so he told you the way of Islamic
laws."
Translation
by Ashraf Ali Thanwi
(4) "Did
he not find thee erring and guide thee."
Translation
by Arberry
(5) "And
saw you unaware of the way so showed you the straight way."
Translation
by Fatheh Muhammad Jalledhri
(6) "And
he found thee wandering and He gave thee guidance."
Translation
by Yusuf Ali
Now
that we have examined six different translations of Sura 93, Verse 7, let us
examine the difference and the uniqueness of the translation of Sayyiduna A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu): "AND HE FOUND YOU DROWNED IN HIS LOVE
THEREFORE GAVE WAY UNTO HIM"
Look
at the uniqueness and the cautiousness that is present in this translation of
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu)! He abstained from using those
words that may cause any disrespect to the dignity and personality of the Holy
Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)!
Due to
the vast amount of time A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) spent in
compiling books on Fiqh and various other topics, it was not possible for him
to compile a complete commentary of the Holy Quran. However, a few learned
scholars have stated that if all the books of A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)
have to be brought together then there is a great possibility that a
complete commentary of the Holy Quran may be compiled. Like his translation of
the Holy Quran, they have said that his Tafseer will also be exceptional.
Commenting
only on the "Bismillahir Rahman nir Rahim", A'la Hadrat
(radi Allahu anhu) presented such a lengthy lecture on this simple phrase
that it was compiled into a complete book and published under the title,
"Al Meeladun Nabwiya."
Once,
during the Urs Shareef of Hadrat Mawlana Shah Abdul Qaadir Sahib (radi
Allahu anhu), A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) delivered a lecture on
Sura Wad-Duha from 9 a.m. in the morning right till 3 p.m. in the afternoon!
This lecture on Sura Wad-Duha alone lasted for 6 hours. After completing his
lecture A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "I only wrote 80
percent of the commentary on this Sura and had to leave it aside. Where is
there time enough to write the Tafseer of the entire Quran-e-Azeem!"
Allamah
Ata Muhammad Bindayalwi (radi Allahu anhu), Sarghoda (Pakistan) said: "Hadrat
Bareilvi (radi Allahu anhu) has written about a thousand treatises. He
exhaustively dealt with every topic he touched, but his most glorious work is his
Urdu translation and explanation of the Holy Quran entitled,'Kanzul Imaan'.
Indeed, there is no parallel. Real worth of this monumental work can be
evaluated by only those scholars who possess vast and deep knowledge of various
other translations and explanations of high standard in Urdu. A'la Hadrat kept
the same pattern as adopted by the renown writers, but he excelled in the
explanation and expansion of the most difficult and complicated subject matter
in relatively few simple words."
AUTHORITY IN THE FIELD OF AHADITH
Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) was also a great authority of his
time when it came to the subjects of Ahadith and Usool-e-Ahadith. He knew the
names of almost every Hadith narrator. When he was questioned concerning details
of a certain narrator, he was able to give a complete biography of the
narrator. When he studied any Hadith he was able to explain the type of Hadith,
it's benefits and the reasons behind that Hadith. He wrote many booklets on the
topic of Ahadith. One of his books is entitled, "Hajizul Jarain An Jamma
Bainas Salaatain," which covered the Ahadith pertaining to "Jamma
Bainas Salaatain" or the "Combination of Two Salaahs in one
time."
Dr
Professor Mohiyyuddin, Azhar University, Cairo (Egypt) said: "Renowned
scholar, Ahmed Raza Khan, visited Arabia twice to perform Hajj at Makkah and
payed homage to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) at Madina.
During his stay he visited various centres of learning and had extensive
exchange of views with the scholars covering various branches of learning and
religious issues. He secured permission from some authentics to quote them in
reference to particular Ahadith, and in return, he allowed them to mention his
authority in respect of some other Ahadith.
"It
is an old saying that scholarly talent and poetic exuberance rarely combine in
one person, but Ahmad Raza Khan was an exception. His achievements contradicts
this diction. He was not only an acknowledged research scholar, but also a
great poet."
A GREAT JURIST OF HIS TIME
Fiqh
(Islamic Jurisprudence) is that branch of knowledge that is derived from the
Holy Quran and the Ahadith of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam). Only that person can be a proper Jurist who is well-versed in
both the Holy Quran and the Ahadith of Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam). He must also be well-versed in and all the other important
branches of knowledge, such as Tafseer, Logic, Philosophy, Translating, and
many other branches.
Sayyiduna
A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was regarded as the greatest Jurist of
his era. He was totally proficient in the field of Fiqh and received acceptance
by the great Ulema of the East and the West. The greatest proof of his position
and status in the world of Fiqh can be understood from his answers concerning
the Shariat-e-Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), which was
compiled into 12 large volumes, comprising of approximately 12 000 pages to
form the famous book, "Fatawa Radawiyyah," which is used in every
Darul Ifta (Fatawah Departments) around the world today.
A
renowned theologian and a great Saint of Delhi, Hadrat Mawlana Zayd Abul Hassan
Faruqi (radi Allahu anhu), who completed his education at the Al Azhar
University, Cairo, acknowledged the unrivalled mastery of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi
Allahu anhu) over Islamic Jurisprudence and other branches of learning 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."
When
Sheikh Ismail Khalil, the Curator of the Library at Makkatul Mukarramah, read
the Fatawas of Sayyiduna A'la Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu) he was puffed up
with joy and wrote to A'la Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu): "By Allah, if
Abu Hanifa Nu'man (radi Allahu anhu) would have gone through these Fatawa,
undoubtedly, it could have been his heart's delight and granted its writer
among his pupils."
IMAM AHMED RAZA'S I'LM-E-JAFAR
"I'lm-e-Jafar"
refers to "The Knowledge and The Art of Prediction." Not all persons
are blessed with such knowledge by Almighty Allah. It is a speciality for the
Awliyah Allah. A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was blessed with the gift
of I'lm-e-Jafar.
Once,
a certain person asked A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) concerning the
approach of Qiyaamah and the arrival of Imam Mahdi (radi Allahu anhu) in the
future. A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said that Almighty Allah
knows of this and His beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is
also aware of this fact. After saying this A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)
substantiated these facts by quoting many verses of the Holy Quran and Ahadith
of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu
anhu) then said, "THROUGH A CERTAIN TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE, I FEEL THAT
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IN 1837 HIJRAH THERE WILL BE NO ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT
LEFT, AND IN 1900 HIJRA IMAM MAHDI (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) WILL APPEAR". After
hearing this answer, someone asked A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) if he
had gained this answer through I'lm-e-Jafar. He replied that he did. A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) then said very sarcastically, "Eat the
mangoes. Do not count the trees."
There
was a King of Rampur whose wife was very sick. He loved her very much and was
very attached to her. This King, who was a "Badd Mazhab" (one who
does not follow the religion properly), sent a messenger to Bareilly Shareef
with a special request. He requested A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) to
predict the time and place of the death of his wife. The King's wife was, at
that moment, not at her house in Rampur, but she was in a place called
Nainital. A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) told the messenger to tell the
King that his wife will die in Rampur in the month of Muharram. When the
messenger returned to the King, he gave him the message of A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu).
With
this message of A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) at the back of his mind, the
King tried very hard to keep his wife away from Rampur. He did not want her to
be in any way near Rampur.
It so
happened that rioting broke out in Rampur. It concerned the affairs of the
Kanpur Shaheed Ganj Musjid. The Governor summoned the King to meet with him
urgently in Rampur. The King decided to go on his own, but his wife insisted on
joining him. As soon as they reached Rampur, the King's wife suddenly died. It
was also the month of Muharram. The prediction of A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu
anhu) proved to be true!
HIS KNOWLEDGE OF PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE
Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) was a great Scientist and Philosopher.
He understood Science and Philosophy better than anyone in his time. He was a
master of Ancient and Modern Sciences. He proved through research that
various concepts of the modern day science are illogical and against the
theories of the Holy Quran and the Ahadith.
A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) wrote many books on Science and Physics. One
of his famous books, "Fauze Mubeen Dar Harkate Zameen," using the
Holy Quran as its guidelines, proves that the earth is not rotating but is
stationary. He also proves that the entire Universe is revolving around the
earth. Modern theories believe that the earth is rotating on its axis and that
all the planets, including the earth, are revolving around the sun. A'la Hadrat
(radi Allahu anhu) also disproved the theories of Scientist such as
Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton. We believe that should this book be
translated into the English language by our Scholars who are well-versed in
Science and presented to the West, there will have to be a re-think on modern scientific
theories! Today, many people in the Western world regard Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu) as the "NEGLECTED GENIUS OF THE EAST."
KNOWLEDGE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY
A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) gained great expertise in the field of Astronomy
and Astrology.
There
was a person by the name of Mawlana Ghulam Hussain Sahib, who used to regard
himself as an authority in Astrology. Once, Mawlana Ghulam Hussain Sahib
visited A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu
anhu) asked him, "So! What is the situation of the rain?" After
working out the position of the stars, Mawlana Ghulam Sahib drew-up an
astronomical table and said,"In this month there will be no rain. It will
only rain in the following month." Mawlana Sahib then handed over the
astronomical table to A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). A'la Hadrat
(radi Allahu anhu) examined it and said, "All the Power is by Allah.
If He pleases, then it may rain now." Mawlana Ghulam Hussain then said,
"Are you not observing the astronomical table?" A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu) said, "I am observing everything."
A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) then looked towards the clock and asked,
"What time is it?" Mawlana Ghulam Hussain said, "Quarter past
eleven." Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "That
means that there is three quarters of an hour left for twelve o' clock."
Saying this, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) walked up to the grandfather
clock that was in the room. With his finger he moved the big needle of the clock
until it was on the twelve, thus showing twelve o'clock. The clock began to
chime. A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) then said, "You said that it
would take three quarters of an hour for the needle to come to twelve o'
clock." The Mawlana Sahib replied, "But you were responsible for
altering the position of the needle."
On
hearing this, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "Almighty Allah
is All-Powerful and He may alter the position of the stars whenever he
wishes..."
A'LA
HADRAT (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) HAD NOT YET COMPLETED HIS SENTENCE WHEN IT BEGAN TO
RAIN UNCONTROLLABLY.
A MATHEMATICAL GENIUS
A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was also a great Mathematician. He used to
solve the most difficult mathematical problems in a short space of time. His
authority in the field of Mathematics will leave modern-day Mathematicians
wide-mouthed. Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Logarithms, and other branches of
Mathematics which are normally handled with great difficulty even by
mathematics students today, was like ordinary addition and subtraction to A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)!
Once,
Sir Ziaud-deen, a famous Mathematician, was in a predicament with regards to
part of his research in the mathematical field. He had to go to Berlin in
Germany to seek a solution to this intricate problem. It so happened that a
certain Mawlana from the famous Aligarh University advised Sir Ziaud-deen to
visit A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) to seek a solution for his
mathematical problem. But, Sir Ziaud-deen, not sounding very confident said,
"What will an ordinary Mawlana like Mawlana Ahmed Raza be able to solve?
He hasn't even gone out of his city to gain knowledge, so it is obvious that
his knowledge is very limited." Nevertherless, after some convincing, he
agreed to visit A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu).
When
he arrived in Bareilly Shareef, he immediately went to A'la Hadrat (radi
Allahu anhu). Presenting the intricate mathematical problem to A'la Hadrat
(radi Allahu anhu) he said, "I am now going to Germany. I will come back
for the answer, that is, if you do manage to solve it." As he was
speaking, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was busy writing and listening
to him at the same time. As Sir Ziaud-deen was about to leave, A'la Hadrat
(radi Allahu anhu) handed him a sheet of paper. When Sir Ziaud-deen read
what was written on this paper, he realised that it contained the solution to
his mathematical problem that had him so confused. Sir Ziaud-deen then said,
"TODAY I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING KNOWN AS I'LM-E-LADUNI (INSPIRED
KNOWLEDGE)."
Sir
Zia'uddeen, was later recorded to have said about A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu
anhu): "He was an un-assuming man of pleasant manners and morals,
had deep insight in Mathematics, although he was not formerly educated by a
teacher. It was an inner divine-gifted inherent knowledge. My query pertained
to a theory of knotting problems of Mathematics, but his manner and explanation
was spontaneous as if he had already carried out a research in it. Now, there
is nobody so well-versed in India. Such a great scholar, I think, there is
none. Allah has bestowed upon him such a knowledge, that is amazing. His
insight in the fields of Mathematics, Euclid, Algebra and Timings is
astonishing. A mathematical problem that I could not solve despite my best of
efforts, this learned genius explained in a few moments."
CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF POETRY
Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) spent much of his valuable time
writing Poetry. His Poetry mostly consisted of Naath Shareef in praise of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and Manqabats. In
all the Naath Shareefs that was written by A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu),
it is evident that his heart and soul was drowned in the love of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
His
Naaths were written within the boundaries of the Shariah. Every stanza was
filled with pearls of "I'lhaam". "I'lhaam" is that which is
inspired by Almighty Allah into the hearts of the Awliyah Allah. Just as the
Ambiya receive "Wahi" or Revelation, so do the Awliyah receive
"I'lhaam". Each verse and stanza of his Poetry is the Tafseer
(Commentary) of the Holy Quran and the Hadith of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam). His Poetry was mainly in the Arabic, Urdu, and
Persian languages.
A'la
Hadrat's (radi Allahu anhu) Poetry was compiled to form the famous,
"Hidayake Bakhshish," (Gardens of Forgiveness). This famous Naath
Kitaab is used throughout the world. A'la Hadrat's (radi Allahu anhu) humble
compilations are read by all who wish to express their love for Sayyiduna
Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
Mawlana
Qari Noorul Hassan, quoting the following stanzas from A'la Hadrat's (radi
Allahu anhu) Poetry:
"Mulke
Sukhan Ki Shahi Tum Ko Raza Musallam
Jis
Simt Aagaye ho sikhe Bithaa diye hai"
and
says that there are many illiterate and ignorant people, who look at the above
stanzas and accuse A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) of praising himself in
his Poetry. This, he says, is not true and are mere baseless objections. He
further explains.
Hadrat
Hassan Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu), the younger brother of Sayyiduna
A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu), would often send his Poetry to be
corrected to Janaab Daagh Delhwi, who was a famous and distinguished Poet of
his time. Hadrat Hassnain Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) used to take the
poetry of Hadrat Hassan Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) to Daagh Delhwi.
One day, as he was about to leave for Dehli, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)
presented one of his Naaths to Hadrat Hassnain Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu)
and said, "Ask Daagh Delhwi to rectify this Qalaam." The Naath
which A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) sent begins with the following
stanza:
"Unki Mahk ne dil ke ghunche khila
diye hai
Jis Raah chal diye hai kooche basa diye
hai."
When
Hadrat Hassnain Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) reached Delhi and presented
the Naath to Daagh Delwhi, he looked at it and said, "This does not
seem like the poetry of Mawlana Hassan Raza Khan. Whose is it?" Hadrat
Hassnain Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) replied that it was written by
A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). On hearing this, Daagh Delhwi said,
"YOU HAVE BROUGHT THE QALAAM OF A'LA HADRAT (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) TO ME FOR
CORRECTION! THIS IS THE QALAAM OF SUCH A POET WHO HOLDS NO PLACE FOR ANY
CORRECTIONS. BUT, SINCE IT IS INCOMPLETE, I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE THE FINAL VERSE
FROM MY SIDE. PLEASE ASK A'LA HADRAT (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) NOT TO CHANGE IT AS I
AM AWARE THAT HE DOES NOT LIKE ANYTHING WRITTEN IN HIS PRAISE." After
saying this, he wrote the verse:
"Mulke
Sukhan Ki Shahi Tum Ko Raza Musallam
Jis
Simt Aagaye ho sikhe Bithaa diye hai"
So, to
those who accuse A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) of praising himself in
his Poetry, will find sufficient evidence to prove that it was Daagh Delhwi who
inserted that stanza and not A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)!
Commenting
on one of A'la Hadrat's poems, Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Muhaddith Kichauchawi (radi
Allahu anhu) said: "Once I had the opportunity of reciting the
Qasida-e-Me'rajia (A poem of A'la Hadrat radi Allahu anhu regarding the Holy
Prophet's sallal laahu alaihi wasallam Me'raj) in my own style, in a select
gathering of men of letters at Lucknow. I then asked them about the literary
worth of the poem. Everybody was overwhelmed and they all exclaimed that the
language is superb, pure and divine."