COMMENTS BY
SUPPORTERS AND ADVERSARIES
Comments
by the Noble Ulema of Makkatul Mukarramah; Comments by the Noble Ulema of
Madinatul Munawwarah; Comments by the Noble Ulema of the Indo-Pak
Sub-Continent; Imam Ahmed Raza in the Eyes of Others; Imam Ahmed Raza in the
Eyes of the Opposition
COMMENTS BY THE NOBLE ULEMA OF MAKKATUL MUKARRAMAH
Ustaad
Ulema-e-Haram, Allamah Sa'eedullah (radi Allahu anhu): "My
respected brother, who is striving in the path of Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam), is a perfect teacher, in other words, Hadrat Ahmed Raza Khan (radi
Allahu anhu). May Almighty Allah grant him great reward, and accept his
endeavour, and may Almighty Allah build his respect into the hearts of the
people of knowledge." Ameen.
Allamah
Mufti Muhammad Saleh Kamal (radi Allahu anhu): "The learned
person on this earth, the sea of great knowledge, the coolness of the eyes of
the Ulema-e-Haq, is Mawlana Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu). Salutations
upon the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and all the spiritual guides,
especially Hadrat Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu). May he always be
protected." Ameen.
Aftaabul
Uloom, Allamah Sheikh Ali bin Siddique Kamal (radi Allahu anhu): "Our
leader and bright star, the sharp blade on the throats of the Wahabis, our
respected teacher, our famous leader, is Hadrat Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu
anhu). May Almighty Allah grant him tranquillity and keep him victorious over
his opposition." Ameen.
COMMENTS BY THE NOBLE ULEMA OF MADINATUL MUNAWWARAH
Mufti
Taaj'udDeen Ilyaas Hanafi (radi Allahu anhu): "That famous and
professional Aalim, Mawlana Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) is from amongst
the Ulema-e-Hind. May Almighty Allah grant him great reward and success. May
Almighty Allah grant him Barkah in his life and destroy all those false sects
through his blessing." Ameen.
Sheikh
Malikiya, Allamah Sayed Ahmad Juz'iri (radi Allahu anhu) : "May
Almighty Allah brighten up the lives of the Muslims through (the Sadaqa of)
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu). May Almighty Allah increase his age
and allow all his future generations to be amongst the Ahle Jannah."
Ameen.
Allamah
Khaleel bin Ebrahim Kharbooti (radi Allahu anhu): "May Almighty
Allah grant the Muslims benefit forever through the blessings of this Kaamil
Faadhil, Allamah Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu). O Allah! Give glad tidings
to Islam and Muslims." Ameen.
Allamah
Mawlana Umar bin Hamdaan (radi Allahu anhu): "Imam Ahmed Raza
Khan (radi Allahu anhu) is that great Aalim, great philosopher and such a great
researcher that his research baffles the mind. May Almighty Allah protect him
and always keep him pleased." Ameen.
COMMENTS BY THE NOBLE ULEMA OF THE INDO-PAK SUB-CONTINENT
Sayyiduna
Shah Aale Rasool (radi Allahu anhu): "On the day of Qiyamah,
when Almighty Allah asks me concerning what I had brought for Him from earth,
then I will present Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu)."
Hadrat
Sayed Shah Abul Husain Ahmad Noori (radi Allahu anhu): "A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) is the brightness and the torch of the
Khandaan-e-Barakaati."
Hadrat
Allamah Ali Hussain Kichauchawi (radi Allahu anhu): "My path of
Shariah and Tariqah is that which is the path of Huzoor Purnoor, Sayyiduna A'la
Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu)."
Hadrat
Maulana Mu'eenuddeen Sahib (radi Allahu anhu): "Phira hoo me us
gali se Nuzhat ho jis me gumra sheikh o kaazi Raza e Ahmad Usi me
samjunga muj se Ahmad Raza ho Raazi."
Allamah
Naee'muddeen Muradabadi (radi Allahu anhu): "The expertise that
Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) possessed in Fiqh was such that great
Ulema of the East and West were humbled before him."
IMAM AHMED RAZA IN THE EYES OF OTHERS
Justice
Mufti Sayyid Shujaat Ali Qadri (radi Allahu anhu), Shariah Court, Government of
Pakistan, Islamabad (Pakistan): "A'la Hadrat's appearance is such a
commanding stature in terms of knowledge and action that every man of letters
considers it an honour and pride to write about him. This worthless man also
has the honour of opportunity and has contributed some write-ups and articles
of A'la Hadrat. My first compilation in Arabic, entitled 'Mujaddid-al-Mata' has
been published and distributed the world over, and this practice is going on
regularly and steadily.
"All
the men of letters know that A'la Hadrat was born in such a period when the
Muslim Ummah was being threatened by different Fitnah (sedition) from all
sides. Among all the prevalent sedition, the most dangerous and harmful was one
which meant to infect non-Muslim elements in the beliefs of the Ahle Sunnat.
"A'la
Hazrat performed incomparable services to safeguard the beliefs of the Ahle
Sunnat. He wrote several books for the rejection of Shirk (Polytheism) and for
the dissuasion from the Bid'ats (innovations in Deen causing divergences). He
safe-guarded the status of Nabuwat (Prophethood), Sahabiyat (Companionship),
Ahle Bait (the Members of the Prophet's sallal laahu alaihi wasallam family)
and Wilayat (the Friendship with Allah the Magnificent). He published crushing
and silencing articles against the criticism brought forward by the atheists,
heretics and apostates against the revered Mystics of Islam and Islamic
Mysticism. As far as my study is concerned, A'la Hazrat always had good opinion
about all the Muslims, and took all Muslims as Muslims, did not scratch and
touch the people's beliefs, and did never scold unreasonably or speak rubbish
to others. However, if someone committed any mistake in writing or speech, he
invited him repeatedly to the Truth. This is the method which is called the
good conduct of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). May Allah the
Magnificent favour us through the benevolence of the Ahl-Ullah (Friends of
Allah)."
Ziya-ul
Mashaa'ikh, Allamah Muhammad Ibrahim Farooqi Mujad'didi (radi Allahu anhu):
"No doubt that Mufti Ahmed Raza Khan Bareilvi was a great scholar. He
had the insight in the norms of Muslim conduct and behaviour and stages of
spiritual transcendentalism (Tariqah). His competence as regard to exposition
and explanation of the Islamic thought; his approach to the inner knowledge
deserves high praise, and his contribution in Islamic Jurisprudence will always
be remembered in respect of their relevance to the basic principles of Ahle
Sunnah Wal Jama'at. Finally, it is not an exaggeration to state that his
research works shall always serve as a beacon light for those who traverse this
faith."
Professor
Muhammad Rafi'ullah Siddique, Director of College Education, Hyderabad, Region
- Hyderabaad (India): "Let the thought of recollecting minds recall the
circumstances of Muslims in 1912 when Hadrat Ahmed Raza Khan appealed to the
Ummah to control conspicuous consumption and save money to use for productive
purposes. Now, everywhere the governments are emphasising the need for
austerity to solve the multifarious economic problems. Will the men of vision
not realise the far sightedness of the late A'la Hadrat Barelvi? J.M. Keynes
was awarded the highest title for the same proposition and exposition which
Mawlana Barelvi had disclosed at least 24 years before him. Alas! Muslims did
not pay heed to his advice."
Professor
Preshan Khattak, (Former Chairman) Pakistan Academy of Letters, Government of
Pakistan: "Imam Ahmed Raza's personality needs no introduction to
Muslims of the Indo-Pakistan. Such a rare encyclopedic person is born after a
long awaiting period. He served as a search- light for his own people and
proved a strong rock for the powers of persecution and cruelty. Nobody can
doubt his knowledge and greatness. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
has declared academic differences as sources of blessing and goodness for the
evolution of the Deen of Islam and civilisation. This has opened new vistas of
thinking and has helped in creating more vastness and comprehension in the Deen
of Islam in order to cope with the need of the changing time. Imam Ahmed Raza
Khan Barelvi has completed an important role for the evolution of the Islamic
thinking in the Sub- Continent. It is not easy to present and interpret Islamic
teachings in the present age without making use of his writings and
views."
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."
Dr
Ilahi Bakhsh Ali Awan, Peshawar (Pakistan): "Various aspects of his
personality are very impressive and valuable. His real contributions in
different fields are so comprehensive and exhaustive that men of thought and
vision find it difficult to pin point the most attractive and impressive aspect
of his intellectual personality which is so vast in every direction that sight
is lost in wilderness."
Dr
Muhammad Tahir Malik, Chairman, Department of Islamic Learning, University of
Karachi (Pakistan): "After a thorough study of many books and treatises
of Imam Ahmed Raza, I have concluded that he gives much importance to the
teacher, book, paper and school, etc. in the articles allied to Education. In
our present day education system, a teacher is no more estimated than a
salaried servant, and the book is regarded as a collection of letters and
works. From our teaching institutions, the respect of the book and teacher has
faded away. This is why the restrictions of a teacher and pupil have been
reduced to nothing at our schools, colleges and universities.
"Today,
to ignore or to forget the books of knowledge, gifted by theses teachers has become
a common practice. One sees often the pupils dancing for pleasure on the
teachers promenade and playing with their turbans. Why is this? The answer
outlined by Mawlana Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi is that our ideology of education
is lacking in high and sacred values. The Imaam Sahib says, 'Keep in vies
(striving) the bonds of your teachers. If respect is given to the paper, the
book and the school, this undesirable situation can not happen'."
Dr
Ghulam Yahya Anjum, Department of Comparative Religions, Hamdard University,
New Delhi: "Imam Ahmed Raza Khan is an outstanding personality among
20th century renowned scholars of Islam. Very few can claim his eminence
because if someone has some similarity with him in certain particular fields, he
lacks significant achievement in some other field in which Imam Ahmed Raza is
leading."
Dr
Hassan Raza Khan Azami, Patna: "A study of the 'Fatawa Razvi' (Judicial
Opinions) of A'la Hadrat, has revealed his multi-dimensional personality to me.
1.
As a Jurist his discussion reflects his reach of imagination, deep insight,
wisdom, sagacity and unparallel scholarly talent.
2.
I found him a great historian, that goes on quoting numerous historical
references to support his view point in the matter under consideration.
3.
He appears to be an expert in Arabic grammar and diction alongside being an
inspiring Naatia poet.
4.
He is observed as a great scholar of Ahadith, when he mentions logical
interpretation of the Ahadith that he quotes.
5.
After a deep study of his works, one finds in him not only a renowned Jurist, a
great Logistician but also an outstanding Physicist, Astronomer, Mathematician,
Philosopher, Philologist and Geographer whose expertise covers the minutest of
details of the subject."
Professor
Wasim Barelvi, Rohailkand University, Bareilly, U.P (Dawn, Karachi, May 13
1992): Indian poet, Wasim Barelvi, speaking at a function in his honour on
Monday night, emphasised the need for fresh research on Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi
and other Muslim scholars of the Sub-Continent, particularly those from
Bareilly.
Eulogising
Allamah Ahmed Raza Khan, Professor said that his services as a pioneer of a
religious school is known to everybody, but his achievements as a writer have
not yet been properly highlighted.
He said
that a research work on Allamah Ahmed Raza Khan compiled in Rohailkand under
his supervision has made revelations regarding the writings of Allamah Barelvi.
This research work is likely to challenge the history of Urdu prose as it
proves that Allamah Barelvi should be counted as one of the pioneers of Urdu
prose, and as one of the great writers who spread modern thought in the
Sub-Continent."
Justice
Naeemud'deen, Supreme Court of Pakistan: "Imam Ahmad Raza's grand
personality, a representation of our most esteem ancestors, is history making,
and a history uni-central in his self.
"You
may estimate his high status from the fact that he spent all his lifetime in
expressing the praise of the great and auspicious Holy Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam), in defending his veneration, in delivering speeches regarding
his unique conduct, and in promoting and spreading the Law of Shariah which was
revealed upon him for the entire humanity of all times. His renowned name is
'Muhammad' (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the Prophet of Almighty Allah.
"The
valuable books written by a encyclopedic scholar like Imam Ahmed Raza, in my
view, are the lamps of light which will keep enlightened and radiant the hearts
and minds of the men of knowledge and insight for a long time."
A
Western Scholar, 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."
The
Poet, Doctor Iqbal: "I have carefully studied the decrees of Imam 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 Shah Ahmed Raza would have been the Imam
Abu hanifa of his age." (Arafat, 1970, Lahore) In another place he
says, "Such a genius and intelligent jurist did not emerge."
IMAM AHMED RAZA IN THE EYES OF THE OPPOSITION
Abul
Ula Maudoodi: "I have great respect in my heart for the knowledge and
status of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu). He has great foresight over
the knowledge of Deen and even his opposition are forced to accept this
fact."
Ashraf
Ali Thanwi: "I have great respect in my heart for Ahmed Raza Khan (radi
Allahu anhu). He calls us Kaafirs, but he says this only on the basis for his
love for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and not out of any other
reason."
Muee'nuddeen
Nadwi: "The late Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) in this present
time was "The Person of Knowledge". His every Fatawa, be it in
support or refutal of anyone, is worthy of being studied."