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Lectures on the
Ala Hazrat’s contribution to Islam by:
* Allama Yunus Ashrafi
* Hafiz Salim Noorie (Edmonton)
* Naats and poetry of Ala Hazrat
Living Arts Centre,
Mississauga - Sat. 16 Feb 2008, – 6:00pm
Islam is the true religion. Sunni Islam is the true Islam.
Throughout history, we find that the
great scholars of the Ahl Sunna wal Jamaah, such as Imam Nawawi,
Imam al-Ghazali, Shaikh
Abdul Qadir Jilani, Imam al-Haddad, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Shah
Waliullah and Shaikh Uwais
all had the distinct ability to unify Islamic thoughts and the
practices of their time and were
able to revive the spirit of Islam amongst Muslims. Imam Ahmad Raza
Khan Rahmatullah alaih
(b.1856, d.1921) of Bareilly, India was one such scholar.
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Stamp issued by Indian government in the honour of
Ala Hazrat
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Throughout his life and in all of his writings Imam Ahmad Raza
Khan (Rahmatullah alaih) reminded Muslims of their sunni
heritage. He gave the same message which had existed for
centuries and, by providing the proof from the Holy Qur'an and
Hadith, he reconfirmed what their forefathers had always
believed. This was the belief of the majority of Sunni Muslims
of the world, universally referred to as the Ahl Sunna wal
Jamaah.
The deviant wahabi and deobandi sects, left no
stone unturned to try and discredit Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullah
alaih). In so doing they coined the term "Barailwih" when
referring to the people having the belief of Ahl Sunnah. In
fact, they make up 85 percent of all Muslims. Bareilly is a town
in Utter Pradesh (U.P.), India where Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullah
alaih) lived. |
He became
the torch bearer of the Ahl Sunna belief. There are millions of
sunni Muslims around
the world who has never heard the term "Barailwih", yet they hold
the same universal belief as
Imam Raza. One can only, therefore, conclude that Imam Ahmad Raza
Khan (Rahmatullah alaih)
did not invent a new ideology but merely revived the belief of the
Awliya and Ulama of the past.
This is why most ulama (Islamic scholars), Arab and non-Arab, refer
to him as the Reviver of
Islam. The ulama of Haramain Sharifain told the truth that. "When
we remember Imam
Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullah alaih) we remember the Prophet (Salalaahu
alahi wa
Sallam)." The fact is, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullah alaih)
was totally devoted to the
ways of Prophet Muhammad (Salalaahu alahi wa Sallam). Friends and
foes attest to his
absolute subordination to the Prophet (Salalaahu alahi wa Sallam).
These were
the final wishes of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Rahmatullah alaih) before
his
wisaal (union with Allah):
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Nothing with
photos of living objects should be near me when my Ruh (Soul)
leaves.
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Recite Sura
Yaseen and Sura Ra'ad beside me.
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Recite Durood
in abundance.
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Keep those who
are weeping away from me.
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Give my Ghusl
according to the Sunnah.
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Either Mawlana
Haamid Raza or Allamah Amjad Ali should perform my Janaza Salaah.
(radi Allahu anhum)
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Do not delay
my Janazah.
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When taking my
Janazah, recite "Kaabe ke Badru Duja".
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Do not read
anything in my praise.
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Place me
softly in the grave.
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My grave
should be dug according to my height.
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My Kafan
should be according to the Sunnah.
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The food of my
Fatiha must be given to the poor.
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Haamid Raza
must give a fair share of everything to Chothe Mia (Huzoor Mufti
Azam Hind). If not, my ruh will
be displeased.
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All of you
must remain steadfast on Din. Do not leave the path of Shariah.
Stay on the Din on which I was.
Wisaal of Imam Ahmad Raza
The brightly shining
sun of Bareilly Shareef, The Coolness of the Eyes of the Ulama, The
Mujaddid of the Century, The Imam Abu Hanifa of his time, The
Ghaus-ul-Azam of his time,
The Sweet-scented Rose from the Fragrant Garden of the Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam), Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (radi Allahu
anhu) left this
mundane world on Friday, the 25th of Safar 1340AH (28 October 1921)
at 2.38 p.m.. It was
the exact time of the Juma Azaan.
The date of the Wisaal of
Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) was actually deduced by
himself from the Holy Quran four months and twenty days prior to his
passing away: "And
there shall be passed around them silver vessels and goblets."
(76:15)
Maulana Hafiz
Nasir Noorani Qadiri, WIM Montreal.
1st
Safar, 1429AH |
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