THE MUJADDID IMAM AHMED RAZA

IMAM AL-AKBAR, A'LA HADRAT IMAM AHMED RAZA AL-QAADIRI BARKAATI (ALAIHIR RAHMAH)

CHARACTER

Both the inner and outer personality of Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was the same. He never compromised when it came to Shariat-e-Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He used to reprimand anyone who even uttered one word against Shariah. He was the living example of:"LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND HATE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH."

He never hurt the feelings of any good Muslim. He showed a splendid amount of affection towards the poor and orphans. On a certain occasion, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was invited to a person's house. Allamah Zafruddeen Bihari (alaihir rahmah) accompanied him. The host, due to his extreme poverty, could only afford to place a few pieces of bread and some beef before his honourable guests. When Allamah Zafruddeen (alaihir rahmah) saw the beef on the table, he became very uncomfortable as he knew that A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) never used to eat beef. It did not agree with his health. But, Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) did not object to the food. He sensed what Allamah Zafruddeen (alaihir rahmah) was thinking about, so he said, "If any Muslim recites the following dua before eating, then no harm will be caused by the food."

After completing the meal and, as they were departing, Allamah Zafruddeen (alaihir rahmah) questioned the host about his reason for inviting Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) to his house in such a time of poverty. The host very confidently replied that although he was in such a state, he was sure that by A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) presence in his home, his home would be blessed with Barakah and Mercy from Almighty Allah.

Once, a young boy went to see A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) at his home. He said, "Huzoor! You are invited to my house tomorrow morning." A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) lovingly asked the boy, "What will you be feeding me?" The boy, undoing a knot at the bottom of his kurta, happily replied, "Look! I have brought some Dhall and chillies." A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) said, "Very well then. I shall come tomorrow."

The following morning, Hajee Kifaayatullah (alaihir rahmah) accompanied A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) to the boy's house. As they entered the house, Hajee Kifaayatullah commented, "Huzoor! This is the home of a musician." Just then the boy appeared to wash their hands. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) asked him, "Where is your father and what is his occupation?" Before the boy could answer, the boy's mother, from behind the pardah, respectfully said, "Huzoor! My husband passed away and he used to be a musician, but before his death he repented. Now, all that I have is this young boy who works to support us." A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) then made Dua-e-Barakah and sat down to eat. After eating he said, "If I would receive such sincere invitations daily, then I will definitely accept them."

Professor Dr Mukhtarud'deen Arzoo, Dean of the Department of Arabic, Muslim University Aligarh, said: "His affection and hate was for the sake of Allah. Believers in Almighty Allah were his friends, and non-believers his enemies. Followers of Allah and His last Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) were close and dear to him. He was not unkind to his personal opponents. He was never harsh to them, but he never spared the enemies of Islam. The entire life of A'la Hadrat was illuminated with the glorious observance of Sunnat-e-Nabwi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)."

OBEDIENCE TOWARDS PARENTS

After the demise of his father, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Naqi Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah), A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) inherited all his properties. Although he was the sole owner and beneficiary of these properties, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) never spent a single cent of this wealth without first seeking the permission of his blessed mother. Even if he wished to buy a Kitaab for study purposes he asked permission from his mother!

When A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) wished to fulfill his heart's desire of being present in front of the Rauza-e-Anwar, the Blessed Tomb of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), he first sought the permission of his blessed mother. She immediately granted him permission by saying: "Bismillahi Khuda Hafiz."

RESPECT TOWARDS THE SUPERIOR ULEMA

While studying the life of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), it is difficult not to comprehend that he was, towards the enemies of Islam, an example of "Ashidda'aoo alal kuffar" (harsh upon the Kufaar). Towards the pious Muslims he was the shining example of "Ruhhamaoo bainahuma" (caring towards each other).

A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) always showed immense love and respect towards the Ulema of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah. He had a liking towards Allamah Abdul Qaadir Badayouni (alaihir rahmah). Concerning the Ulema-e-Haq, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) always praised them with the following words, "THESE ULEMA ARE SUCH THAT IF THEY HAD TO ENTER A BARREN TOWN, THEN IT TURNS INTO A BRIGHT CITY, AND WHEN THEY DEPART FROM A CITY, IT BECOMES A BARREN TOWN."

Hadrat Mahdi Hassan Barkaati (alaihir rahmah), the Sajjada-e-Nashin of Sarkaare Kilan Mahrerah Shareef states, "When I used to go to Bareilly Shareef, Huzoor A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) would personally bring out the food for me, and he would also wash my hands. Once, while washing my hands, he requested me to give him my ring and bangle which were made of gold. I immediately presented them to him. Later, I departed to Bombay. When I returned to Mahrerah Shareef, my daughter informed me that there was a parcel for me from Bareilly Shareef. I opened the parcel and found enclosed the ring and bangle. There was also a note in it which A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) wrote presenting the jewels to my daughter."

Subhan-Allah! Look at the respect and wisdom that A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) showed towards his superiors. He practised upon the law of "Amr bil Ma'roof Wa Nahi Anil Munkir" (forbidding that what is not proper and practising that what is good) and the same time showing great respect towards Hadrat Mahdi Hassan Barkaati (alaihir rahmah).

RESPECT FOR THE MASJID

Once, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was performing I'tikaaf in the Masjid in Bareilly Shareef. It was a cold winter's night. It was raining quiet heavily. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) went to perform his Wudhu. In order not to allow the Masjid floors from becoming wet, he placed the blanket that he was wearing on to the Masjid floor by folding it four times to soak in the water. He then made his Wudhu on the blanket. Thus, he did not allow one drop of water to fall in the Masjid. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) then spent the entire night shivering in the cold since he did not have a blanket to cover himself with because it was damp with water.

LOVE AND RESPECT TOWARDS PILGRIMS

A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) always showed great respect to Pilgrims (Hajees). He made it his duty to meet with the Hajees when they arrived from the Haramain Sharifain. Whenever he would meet a Hajee, the very first question he used to ask was, "DID YOU VISIT THE MAZAAR OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)?" If the answer he received was in the affirmative, then he would kiss the feet of the Hajee. If the Hajee replied that he did not, then A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) would show his dissatisfaction and would end his conversation with that person.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

Hadrat Allamah Zafruddeen Bihari (alaihir rahmah) states that while he was still a student in Bareilly Shareef, he and many others used to spend their Eid in Bareilly Shareef. They did not go home to their families as they lived far from the madressa. But, he says that Eid was always spent joyfully because A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) used to treat them like his very own children. He used to also give them "Eidi" (spending money) on that day.

When Muffasir-e-Azam-e-Hind, Hadrat Ebrahim Raza Khan (alaihir rahmah), who is the father of Tajush Shariah, Hadrat Allamah Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Al Azhari, was born, his grand-father, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), out of great joy, invited all the students of Madressa Manzare Islam to a meal. Before preparing the meal, A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) asked each group of students as to what they enjoyed eating. Accordingly, he prepared the meals for them - fish and rice for the Bengali students; Firini, Zarda and Breyani for the Bihari students; and sheep for the Punjabi and other foreign students.

A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) loved and cared for children. He always made them feel comfortable around him. He never shouted or scolded at them unnecessarily. If any child did something wrong, he would gently explain to that child their error and show them the right path. He always returned the Salaams of little children.

A FEW OF IMAM AHMED RAZA'S UNIQUE HABITS

1. He never kept any ordinary book on the books of Ahadith.
2. He would be displeased if anyone spoke out unnecessarily while he explained the Ahadith.
3. He did not prefer anyone to sit with one leg onto the lap of the other leg. He would usually sit with both knees erect.
4. He would sit in the position of Tashahhud from the beginning to the end in a Mehfil-e-Meelad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which sometimes lasted for 5 or 6 hours.
5. He would never chew paan during a lecture.
6. On hearing the name "Muhammad", he would immediately say "Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam."He would never laugh out aloud.
7. He slept in the position of the Arabic form of the word "Muhammad".
8. He would never spit or stretch his feet in the direction of the Qibla.
9. He always did everything form the right-hand-side.

HIS MYSTICAL POWERS

Without any exaggeration, an entire book on the Karaamats (Miracles) of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) can be compiled. In this time, the greatest Karaamat that any person can display is his followance of Shariat-e-Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) never fell short of this in any way. We also wish to state that, in reality, the mere existence of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was a miracle on its own. However, for the sake of attaining blessings, a few or his Karaamats are being quoted for the benefit of his lovers.

Janaab Amjad Ali was a resident of Bhasouri. He was a dedicated Mureed of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). Once Amjad Ali took his rifle and went out hunting. While he was hunting, a stray bullet from his rifle accidentally hit a passer-by, killing him. Amjad Ali was later arrested for murder. He was tried and then sentenced passed on him - death by hanging.

A few days before his execution, a few members of his family came to visit him. With the mere thought of his execution, they began to weep bitterly. He smiled at them and said, "GO HOME AND DO NOT WEEP. I WILL RETURN ON THE DAY OF MY EXECUTION. MY PEER-O-MURSHID, SAYYIDUNA A'LA HADRAT (alaihir rahmah) HAS STATED THAT HE HAS RELEASED ME."

On the night of his execution, his mother went to visit him. Thinking how near the time of his execution had come, she began to weep out of fear. But Amjad Ali's faith in the words of his Peer-o-Murshid was very strong. He asked his mother to go home and to stop worrying. He told her that through the Will of Almighty Allah, he will return home in a little while to have breakfast with her. Being visibly shaken, she returned home.

The time had finally arrived. Amjad Ali was escorted to the gallows to be hanged. The noose was put around his neck. The authorities asked him if he had any final request. Very calmly, he replied, "There is no need to request anything. My time of death has not yet arrived." The authorities were baffled by his composure. Nevertheless, they decided to proceed with the hanging. As they were about to hang him, the authorities received a telegram. The telegram stated that due to the crowning of Queen Elizabeth, a certain number of prisoners were being released. Amjad Ali Sahib's name was on that list! He was immediately released. As promised he went home to have breakfast with his mother. In this Karamat of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), not only was Amjad Ali pardoned but, many other prisoners were freed.

Once, a women came crying to A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). She reminded him that he had once made Dua for her to bear a child and through his Dua a male child was born. She told him that the child had now passed away and she could not bear this loss. She cried and begged A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) to bring the child back to life.

A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) went to her home. He noticed that the child was lying on a bed and was covered with a sheet. In the meantime, the mother of the child continuously asked A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) to bring the child back to life. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) removed the sheet from the face of the child, placed his blessed hands over the child's eyes and commanded the child, "Son! Wake up and listen to that which your mother is saying." All of a sudden, the child began to cry. All those present were astonished. They thanked A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) abundantly. He humbly smiled and said, "I did not do anything. He was asleep. All I did was wake him up."

There lived a certain person in Bareilly Shareef who had very false concepts concerning Ulema, Awliyah and Peer-o-Murshid and Mureed relationships. One of his friends, who was on his way to meet A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), asked this person to accompany him and meet A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). He also suggested that by discussing his false concepts and beliefs with A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), he will be shown the right path. While discussing whether or not to go, that person with the false concepts, saw a vendor selling fresh sweetmeats. He said, "First buy me some sweetmeats then I will go with you." His friend agreed to buy it for him on the way back home.

Nevertheless, after much convincing he agreed to accompany his friend to the house of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). They entered his blessed house and sat there. A Mureed arrived and brought some sweetmeats. It was the procedure in the court of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) that those persons with beards would get two shares, and those without beards would receive only one share as they were still taken as children.

The Mureed who was responsible for distributing the sweetmeats only gave one share to the person who had misconceptions about Awliyah and Ulema. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), who was present there and witnessing the entire incident, commanded the Mureed to give that person two shares. The Mureed remarked, "Huzoor! He has no beard. He should get one." A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) replied, "Give him two. He desires to have two." When the person heard this he immediately repented and became the Mureed of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). His desire was to receive two shares and he realised that A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was even aware of the thoughts in his heart.