Huzoor Mufti Azam e Hind (Alaihir Rahma)

Historical Milestones & Timeline:

Birth: 22nd Zilhajj 1310 AH
Name: Muhammad Mustafa Raza
Title: Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam
Father: Aala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Alaihir Rahmah)
Murshid: Hadrat Abul Hussain Ahmad-e-Noori (Alaihir Rahmah)
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 (500,000) Hindus accept Islam at his hands
1343 Hijri: Sent a Delegation to Bihar and Orissa 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

14th Muharram al-Haraam – Hadrat Mufti-e-Aazam Imam Mustafa Rida Noori al-Qadiri Alaihir Rahmah

All Praises is due to Allah Almighty SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, choicest Salams and Salutations upon His Beloved Habeeb, Sayyiduna Muhammadur-Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), his noble family, the illustrious Sahabah and distinguished Awliya Ridwanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een.

URS of the Ghawth & Grand Mufti of India: Imam Mustafa Rida Noori al-Qadiri Alaihir Rahmah

Ghawth al-Waqt Mufti A’zam Qutbe-‘Alam ‘Arife-Billah Aalur-Rahman Muhiyy al-Din Jilani Imam Mustafa Raza al-Qadiri Barakati Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was born on 22 Zil-Hajj 1310 AH in Bareilly Sharif, U.P., India. He was the youngest son of Qutbul-Irshad Imam al-Akbar A’la-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza al-Qadiri Barkati (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), the Mujgaddid of the 14th Century.

His ancestor, Shuja’at Jung Muhammad Sa’idullah Khan, accompanied Sultan Nadir Shah Abdali in 1739 AD on his first political expedition to Hindustan. Nadir Shah returned to Afghanistan but Shuja’at Jung Muhammad Sa’idullah Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) decided to settle in Hindustan.

In later years (between 1739 and 1748 AD), Sultan Muhammad Shah (d. 1748 AD), the King of Delhi, officially appointed him to the rank of Shash-Hazari. This was indeed a very elite post in the Mughal Empire which was only entrusted to one of Royal Descent. The Mughal King also gave him The Glass Palace of Lahore and some districts in Rampur as his Jageer (estate).

Later, by Divine Command, General Muhammad Sa’idullah Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) settled in Bareilly, which was then known as the capital of the famous Rohilkhand District of the empire.

Important Point Regarding the Ancestral Tree

The following ancestral tree of Hazrat Mufti A’zam Imam Mustafa Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was carefully constructed from the authentic Books of Genealogy and meticulously scrutinized with references to other books in this field. The ancestors were compared with dates and periods found in books written by Historians who were masters in this field. The following points were noted before compiling the Ancestral Tree:

Preference was given to books compiled by Historians of Afghan descent/origin as they knew their descendants better than others.
Furthermore, amongst the Afghani Historians, preference was given to Historians that belonged to the Bar’hech Tribe, as the Ghawth al-Waqt Imam Mustafa Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) belonged to the Bar’hech Tribe.
There is not much dispute in the Chain of the Ancestral Tree from Sayyiduna Nabi Adam (Alaihis Salam) to Sayyiduna Nabi Ishaq (Alayhis Salam).
The chain of the Family Tree from Sayyiduna Nabi Ishaq (Alayhis Salam) to Hadrat Malik Taloot (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was extracted according to the citation found in the books of authors who belonged to the Bar’hech Tribe. This was so because people of a Tribe will have more genuine information of their ancestors in relation to others of different tribes.
There is a consensus in Books of Ancestral Trees from Hadrat Malik Taloot (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) up to Sayyiduna Qais Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) and so is the case from Sayyiduna ‘Abdur-Rashid to Bar’hech.
From Bar’hech till Hadrat Shuja’at Jang Muhammad Sa’eedullah Khan, the genealogy was extracted from Khulasatul-Ansab, Akhbar al-Sanadid, and Bustan-e-Hikmat, whose authors are not only Afghanis but belonged to the Bar’hech Tribe.

This is how cautiously this Family Tree from Sayyiduna Nabi Adam (Alayhis Salam) till Ghawth al-Waqt, Hadrat Mufti A’zam Qutbe-‘Alam’s (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was constructed.

The Ancestral Tree:

Imam Mustafa Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Mujaddid Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Ra’isul-Atqiya Imam Muhammad Naqi ‘Ali (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o ’Arife-Billah Imam Raza ‘Ali (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Mawlana Hafiz Kazim ‘Ali (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Mawlana Shah Muhammad A’zam Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Mawlana Muhammad Sa’adat Yaar Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Shuja’at Jung Muhammad Sa’idullah Khan Bahadur Qandahari (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o ’Abdur-Rahman Khan (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Yusuf Khan Qandahari (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Dawlat Khan
s/o Badal Khan
s/o Da’ood Khan
s/o Bar’hech Khan
s/o Sharfud-Deen (known as Shar’haboon)
s/o Ibrahim (known as Sard’bun)
s/o Sayyiduna Qais Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid Sahabi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o ’Ays (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Salool (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o ’Utba (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Na’eem (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Marra
s/o Malik Jalandar
s/o Malik Askandar (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Zaman
s/o ’Unais
s/o Bah’lool
s/o Sa’lam
s/o Salah
s/o Qaroon
s/o Nasr
s/o Ashmu’ail
s/o Na’eem
s/o Akram
s/o Ash’ath (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
s/o Sharood
s/o Makhal
s/o Nusrat
s/o Qalaj
s/o Sher
s/o ’Atham
s/o Faylool
s/o Karam
s/o ’Amaal
s/o Hudayfa
s/o Mat’hal
s/o Qabal
s/o ’Ilm (or Aleem)
s/o Ash’mool
s/o Haroon
s/o Qamar
s/o Abi
s/o Su’heb
s/o Talal
s/o Lu’ee
s/o ’Ameel
s/o Taraj
s/o Arzand
s/o Mandool
s/o Saleem (or Sa’lam)
s/o Afghana
s/o Sarad al-Muqallab bi Malik Taloot
s/o Qais
s/o ’Utbah
s/o Talas
s/o Ru’ail
s/o Yahoodah
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Ya’qoob (Alayhis Salam)
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Ishaq (Alayhis Salam)
s/o Khaleelullah Sayyiduna Nabi Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam)
s/o Ta’rikh
s/o Makhood (or Nahoor)
s/o Shuroo’ (or Ash’ragh)
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Hood (Alayhis Salam)
s/o ’Abir
s/o Sha’lakh
s/o Araf’khashad
s/o Saam
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Nooh (Alayhis Salam – [age: 1400 years])
s/o La’lak ([age: 780 years])
s/o Malik Matla’shakh ([age: 900 years])
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Idris (Alayhis Salam)
s/o Bayarad
s/o Mahla’heel
s/o Qay’nan
s/o Anoosh
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Sheeth (Alayhis Salam – [age: 912 years])
s/o Sayyiduna Nabi Adam (Alayhis Salam – [age: 900 years])

The Eight Prophets and One Sahabi

Hadrat Mufti A’zam, Qutbe-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) belonged to the Afghani Bar’hech Tribe which was of Royal Descent. This was indeed a very respectable and noble tribe in Afghanistan. Great ‘Ulama and Masha’ikh hailed from this dignified tribe whose Mazars are still a center of solace and spiritual enlightenment for the people both in Afghanistan and Hindustan.

In the ancestry of Ghawth al-Waqt (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), there are eight Prophets and one Sahabi.

The Eight Prophets:

Sayyiduna Nabi Ya’qoob (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Ishaq (Alayhis Salam)
Khalilullah Sayyiduna Nabi Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Hood (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Nooh (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Idris (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Sheeth (Alayhis Salam)
Sayyiduna Nabi Adam (Alayhis Salam)

The One Sahabi: Sayyiduna Qais Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)

He is the 43rd descendant of Afghana and 45th descendant of Hadrat Malik Taloot. Qais bin ‘Ays lived in the mountainous terrains of Ghor. During one of the Expeditions of Sayyiduna Khalid ibn Walid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), he became interested in Islam. So he took some of the leaders of Afghanistan and went to Madina al-Munawwara. They met the beloved Prophet of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala and immediately accepted Islam on his sacred hands.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) then said to him:

“Qais is a Hebrew word and I am an Arab.”

The Prophet of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala gave him the Islamic name ‘Abdur-Rashid. The Habeeb (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) further said:

“You are the Awlad of Malik Taloot whom Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala blessed with the title of Malik (King). In the future, you too will be remembered with the title of Malik.”

This is how he got the title of Malik from the office of Prophethood.

It was in the Madinan period that the Beloved Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was planning for the conquest of Makkah and appointed Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid and the other Afghani Sahabi as the lead of the secret service scouts of the army led by Sayyiduna Khalid ibn Walid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

The Afghani Mujahideen displayed their astonishing bravery in the battle of Makkah. Sayyiduna Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) himself defeated 70 Kuffar in this battle. His role and bravery in this war brought great joy to the heart of the Beloved Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) who predicted that a great family will emerge from the offspring of this Sahabi. They will be steadfast on religion and will strengthen the Deen of Islam like “Bataan” (conqueror with great bravery or Military Advisor).

It was the effects of this Du’a of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) that great ‘Ulama and Masha’ikh were born in the lineage of Sayyiduna Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). To name a few, some of the stars in the firmament of excellence were the great Mujaddid, Aala-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), and his son, Ghawth al-Zaman Mufti A’zam Imam Mustafa Raza al-Qadiri Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). Their services to the Deen are known to the Muslim World and precisely the manifestations of the Du’as of the Beloved Prophet of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.

Since the Beloved Nabi’s (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) Du’a for the Awlad of Sayyiduna Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was that they will strengthen the Deen and their strength will be like Bataan, from that day on he became famous by the title of “Bataan”. This word Bataan in later days changed to the present-day name “Pathan”. Eventually, the Awlad of Sayyiduna Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) then became synonymous with the word Pathan. This is how the word Pathan came into existence. Sayyiduna Malik ‘Abdur-Rashid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) married Mutahira, the daughter of Sayyiduna Khalid ibn Walid (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), and he passed away at the age of 87 years.

Glad Tidings Before the Master’s Birth

Before the birth of the Ghawth, his father Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was on a visit to the Mazar of his Murshid al-Kamil (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) in Marehra Sharif. It was on the night of the 22nd of Zil-Hajj that the noble Imam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) had a dream. He noticed in this dream that the full moon began descending towards the earth and it was many folds bigger than the earth. As it descended, its size began decreasing and its brilliance increased. So much so that it comfortably landed on his lap.

That morning Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) awoke for Tahajjud Salah and Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala inspired his heart with the correct interpretation of that dream. The Imam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) immediately made Wudu and performed two Rak’ats of Shukr (thanks-giving) and named his son Aalur-Rahman.

That same day he performed the Salatul-Zuhr with the Qutb, Sirajul-‘Arifeen, Sayyid Abul-Husain Ahmad-e-Noori al-Husaini (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) in the Masjid of the Mashaikh. After the Salah, he left the Masjid with the Qutb ‘Arife-Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). As the Qutb reached the steps of the Masjid, he turned to Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) as if he had already intercepted his dream and intention and said:

“Mawlana Sahib! You must return to Bareilly as Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala has blessed you with a pious and gifted son. I suggest the name Aalur-Rahman Abul-Barakat Muhiyy al-Din Jilani for him. I will certainly come to Bareilly to see him and bestow all the Spiritual Secrets on him.”

The Qutb also gave Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) a five Rupee silver coin as a gift for the newborn son.

Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) obeyed the command of the Qutb, who was not only his Peer-Bhai but also his Teacher, and immediately left for Bareilly. He reached Bareilly the same day and was delighted to see his newborn son.

Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) inquired about the time of the son’s birth and it was confirmed that it was the exact time that the Qutb Sayyid ‘Arife-Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) had intercepted when leaving the Masjid after Salatuz-Zuhr in Marehra. SubhanAllah! What precise perception is bestowed upon the beloved servants of Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala!

The noble Imam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) then kissed his son on the forehead, hugged him to his chest, and said: “Welcome, O perfect Wali!” The arrival of this son brought great joy to all in the household because many daughters were born in his home after the first son, Hujjatul-Islam Maulana Hamid Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). There was an 18-year gap between the first son and the new arrival. Everyone in the family was so overjoyed that they celebrated his arrival for many months.

His ‘Aqeeqa

His father, Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), chose the name Aalur-Rahman on the morning of his dream, but instead, he kept his name Muhammad when the Aqiqa was performed for two apparent reasons:

Firstly, this was so because there are no limits of Barakat and blessing in the name Muhammad.
And secondly, Aala-Hadrat was a great ‘Arif and an ‘Arif’s vision is always focused on the LouH-e-MaHfooz (Sacred Tablet of Records). The great Imam and ‘Arif noticed the physical life of his son on the LouH-e-MaHfooz which was 92 years and kept his name, Muhammad.

The Ghawth, Hadrat Mufti A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) passed away in 1981 at the age of 92. According to numerology and the Abjad Formula calculation, the numerical value of the word Muhammad is 92.

It was only after the demise of Hadrat Mufti A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) that this secret and Karamat of Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was understood by the people. The word complied with his son’s love for the Master Sayyiduna Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) and its numerical value complied with his age as Divinely pre-destined on the LouH-e-MaHfooz.

His Bay’ah and Khilafat

On Wednesday, 25th Jamadiul-Thani 1310 / 3rd January 1894, as promised, the great Qutb, Sayyidi Abul-Husain Ahmad-e-Noori al-Husaini al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) came to Bareilly to visit the newborn. The child was 6 months and 3 days old.

Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) took the child and placed him on the sacred lap of the Great Qutb (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). Sayyidi ‘Arife-Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) carefully looked at the face of this child for a long time and kissed his forehead and said to the father:

“Mawlana! This is a gifted child and a born Wali of Allah! As far as Barakat is concerned, he is Abul-Barkat and MuHiyyud-Din as far as Fanaiyyat is concerned. This child will serve the Deen extensively and mankind will derive great benefits from him. The vision of this Wali will cherish the hearts of millions and make them steadfast on the Deen and from him will flow an ocean of Divine Grace.”

After these glad tidings, the Murshid al-Kamil (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) placed his blessed Shahadah finger in the child’s mouth, who began suckling as if being breastfed by the mother. It was as if the great Qutb infused all the Barakat and Secrets of the four major Spiritual Orders at once into the receptive heart of this young and future Ghawth of Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala.

The Grand Master then initiated the child in the Qadiriyyah Spiritual Order and bestowed on him the Khilafah of 13 Spiritual Orders. They were as follows:

Qadiriyyah Barkatiyyah Jadidah
Qadiriyyah Aba’iyyah Qadimah
Qadiriyyah Hidayiyyah
Qadiriyyah Raz’zaqiyyah
Qadiriyyah Mansooriyyah
Chishtiyyah Nizamiyyah Qadimah
Chishtiyyah MaHboobiyyah Jadididah
Suhrawardiyyah WaHidiyyah
Suhrawardiyyah FaDiliyyah
Naqshabandiyyah ‘Ula’iyyah Siddiqiyyah
Naqshabandiyyah ‘Ula’iyyah ‘Ulawiyyah
Badi’iyyah
‘Uluwiyyah Manamiyyah

After blessing this child with all these lofty stations, the Murshid al-Kaamil (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) then placed the child on the lap of Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) and said:

 $"وَجَعَل لِّى وَزِيراً مِّن اَهلِى"$

“Mubarak to you! The Tafsir of the Ayah, ‘And give me a Minister from my family’ has now filled your lap.”

This is how the first chapter of this future Ghawth of the Sublime Lord Azzawajal began, and at a tender age of 6 months and 3 days, he was introduced to this Ummah. After the completion of his external studies, Hadrat Mufti A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) perfected the mystical sciences and Sulook under the Spiritual Guidance of his Murshid al-Kamil (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

Jubba Mubarak of Mufti-e-Aazam Qutb-e-Aalam Alaihir Rahma

The sacred and historically preserved Jubba Mubarak (spiritual cloak) of Hazrat Mufti-e-Azam (Alaihir Rahmah) remains a highly revered relic.

His Bismillah Khwani

At the age of 4 years, 4 months, and 4 days, the traditional Sufi Bismillah Khwani was personally performed by Aala-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

He was then given in the care of his elder brother, Hujjatul-Islam Maulana Hamid Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), to teach him the Nazara of the Holy Quran. This astonishing child shocked his brother by completing the Nazara of the recitation of the entire Quran in just 3 years!

His Educational Career

After the completion of the recitation of the Holy Quran, Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) then handed him over to the able teachers of teachers [Ustaz al-‘Ulama], Hadrat Maulana Raham Ilahi Manglori al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) to study the elementary books of the ‘Alim course.

After teaching him for a few months, he said to Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho):

“I am indeed honored to teach this future giant of Islam. Your son is a Wali and it is not possible for me to perfect him. It is only your personality that can fulfill this difficult task. However, I will do my utmost best to teach him as much as I can which for me is not an easy task. I am dumbfounded at his memory and intellect.”

Ghawth al-Waqt, Mufti al-A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam, Imam Mustafa Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) completed his external studies under 5 Masters. They were as follows:

His Father, Imam al-Akbar Aala-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
His elder brother, Hujjatul-Islam Maulana Hamid Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Teacher of Teachers, Hadrat Maulana Raham Ilahi Mang’lori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh al-‘Ulama ‘Allama Sayyid Bashir Ahmad ‘Aligari (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shams al-‘Ulama Hadrat Maulana Zuhoor al-Hasan Farooqi Rampuri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)

In 1328/1910, at the young age of 18 years, Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) had mastered 36 sciences of knowledge. Thereafter, for the next 13 years (1328 to 1340), he sat with his illustrious father, the Mujaddid and Qutbul-Irshad Imam Ahmad Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), and mastered the science of Islamic Law (Fiqh).

His Devotion and ‘Ibadah

The Qutb, Mufti al-A’zam Imam Mustafa Raza al-Qadiri Noori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), from a very young age till the last moments of his life, was always engrossed in the remembrance of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala. He never missed his daily Salah and always performed it with the Jama’at in the Masjid. This excessive remembrance was so intense that it was often noticed that his lips moved in Dhikr while he was asleep.

He sat in long devotions after the Fajr and Maghrib Salah. He used to perform the Imamat of the Rijal al-Ghayb and Jinns after midnight. There were instances that people noticed him teaching a group of “amazing” people late after midnight in the confines of his private chamber. Sometimes people peeped into his private room of ‘Ibadah to see this class in session. Such people were later confronted by the student Jinns in anger and warned not to interfere in their matters when engaged with their Shaykh at night. This confrontation had such an impact on them that they lay sick for days.

The Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was a master of the highly esoteric Dhikr of Sultan al-Azkar. This Dhikr is also known as Dhikr-Ara, the Dhikr of the Saw. This is a highly secret form of Dhikr of the senior Awliya of Allah. Years of practice are required to perfect this Dhikr. When the ‘Amil is engaged in this Dhikr, every joint in his body becomes dislodged and the pieces are scattered on the floor bouncing in the ecstasy of the Dhikr of “Allah Allah”. If anyone unintentionally has to see this, then he would think that someone has chopped up every part of this person. But if a person intentionally invades the privacy of the ‘Arif engrossed in this Dhikr, then there is a great chance that he may lose his eyesight or even die. There were 3 or 4 instances in the life of the Murshid al-Kamil that people unintentionally saw the Master in this state.

In 1994, while the compiler of this account was attending the ‘Urs-e-Noori in Marehra Sharif, he was summoned to the private quarters of the Sajjadah ‘Arife-Billah Makhdoom Sayyid Hasan Mia Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). In the chamber, they sat with heads bent in absolute undivided attention while the Master, with tears rolling down his cheeks, spoke of the excellence of the Ghawth al-Waqt, Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). The door was closed and no person was allowed to enter while this meeting was in session.

The Sufi Master (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) then mentioned a horrifying experience he had when he was a young boy of about 12 years. At that time, the Ghawth, Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), was in Marehra Sharif for the Ziyarat of his Peer-o-Murshid’s Mazar. It was about 3 p.m. when his brother, the ‘Arif, Sayyid al-‘Ulama Hadrat Sayyid Ale-Mustafa al-Husaini al-Qadiri Barkati (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) said to him:

“Hasan Mia! It’s late and Hadrat has not eaten lunch as yet. Go and see where he is and bring him for lunch.”

The narrator continues:

*”I (Sayyid Hasan Mia) immediately went to his room and did not find him there. I inquired from some people sitting outside the room and they mentioned that Hadrat went to the Masjid for Zuhr Salah and had not returned as yet.

So I went to the Masjid which was totally empty and found the inner section doors closed. As I opened the door, I was horrified to find the body of the Ghawth in pieces and every piece of his body was bouncing on the floor reading ‘Allah Allah’.

I had never seen anything like this before and it had such an impact on me that I instantly became feverish and ran out of the Masjid crying straight to my brother (Sayyid al-‘Ulama).

I was hysterical and he grabbed me and asked: ‘What is the matter? Why are you crying?’

All I could tell him in that state of terror was that someone had killed Hadrat in the Masjid. My brother was a great Sufi himself and felt my temperature and understood what had happened. He began praying on me until my condition normalized. After a while, we saw Hadrat coming out of the Masjid and I was now even more confused as he was in a perfectly normal state.

However, after some time Sayyid al-‘Ulama (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) explained to me about my experience and said: ‘Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) is a great ‘Amil of Sultan ul-Azkar. When you saw his state in the Masjid, he was engrossed in this very Dhikr. He is the pride of our Barkati family and the coolness of the eyes of our grandfather Hadrat Noori Dada (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).'”*

A Pair of very old Nagra Shoes of Mufti-e-Aazam Qutb-e-Aalam Alaihir rahma

A deeply respected relic containing the preserved traditional leather Nagra shoes worn by Hazrat Mufti-e-Azam (Alaihir Rahmah).

His Academic Contribution

Ghawth al-Waqt Mufti al-A’zam Qutbul-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was a prolific writer and wrote numerous books on different subjects of Deen. Below is a list of some of his books:

واقعات السنان (Waqi’at-us-Sanan)
الموت الاحمر (Al-Mawt al-Ahmar)
ادخال السنان (Idkhal-us-Sanan)
طرق الهدى والارشاد الى احكام الاماره والجهاد (Turuq al-Huda wal-Irshad…)
حاشيه شرح الاستمداد كحلى اجيال الارتداد (Hashiyah Sharh al-Istimdad…)
الملفوظ (Al-Malfuz)
الطارى الدارى (Al-Tari ad-Dari)
سامان بخشش (Samaan-e-Bakhshish)
وهابيه كى تقيه بازى (Wahabiya ki Taqiya Baazi)
مسائل سماع (Masa’il-e-Sama’i)
القول العجيب في جواز التثويب (Al-Qawl al-Ajeeb fi Jawaz al-Tathweeb)
الحجة الباهرة (Al-Hujjatul Baahirah)
تنوير الحجه بالتور الحجه (Tanweer al-Hujjah bi-Toor al-Hujjah)
كشف الضلال (Kashf al-Dalaal)
وقاية اهل السنه (Wiqayat Ahl-e-Sunnah)
مقتل كذب وكيد (Maqtal-e-Kizb-o-Kaid)
سيف الجبّار (Saif-ul-Jabbaar)
نور القرآن (Noor-ul-Quran)
القسورة على ادوار الخمر الكفرة (Al-Qaswarah ala Adwar al-Khamr…)
داع الديان على رأس الوسواسالشيطان (Da’i ad-Dayyan ala Ra’s al-Waswas…)
مقتل اكذب واجهل (Maqtal-e-Akzab-o-Ajhal)
الكاوى في العادى (Al-Kawi fil-Adwi)
القثم الفاصم (Al-Qathm al-Faasim)
رشد الالياس على عابد الخناس (Rushd al-Ilyas ala Abid al-Khannas)
شفاء العى في جواب سوال بمبى (Shifa-ul-Iyy fi Jawab-e-Suwal-e-Bombay)
النكته على مراء كلكته (Al-Nuktah ala Mira-e-Calcutta)
نفى العار من معائب عبد الغفار (Nafyul-Aar min Ma’ayib Abdil Ghaffar)
دارهى كا مسئله (Daari ka Mas’ala)
سراخ در سوراج (Surakh Dar Sooraj)
فتاوى مصطفويه (Fatawa Mustafawiyah)
ترد الشيطان عن سبيل الرحمن (Tard ash-Shaytan an Sabeel ar-Rahman)

These are some of the contributions of the great Mufti and Wali of Allah. He has also left thousands of students, Mureeds and Khulafa, who in turn produced thousands of students that are serving Muslims globally.

The Roving Ambassador of Islam, Maulana ‘Abd al-‘Alim Siddiqi al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was a close friend of Ghawth al-Waqt (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) and greatly revered him. Hadrat Maulana ‘Abd al-‘Alim (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was also a great politician and took an active part in local and international politics. He was very instrumental in abolishing the Hajj Tax then introduced by the Saudi Regime. The introduction of the Hajj Tax infuriated him as it was against the Shari’ah and affected millions of incoming Hujjaj to the Holy land. It is also ethically incorrect to charge a Hajj Tax on pilgrims who spend thousands and undertake such a strenuous journey only to be welcomed at Jeddah seaport and airport by an unjustified tax instead of being given a warm welcome to the Holy Land as the guest of Allah Azzawajal and His Rasool (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam).

He consulted with the most senior Jurist of the Muslim World, the great ‘Arif Billah, Qutb al-‘Alam, Mufti al-A’zam, Imam Mustafa Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) and requested him for an Islamic ruling (Fatwa) on the Hajj Tax. The Grand Mufti issued an Islamic decree in the Arabic language condemning the Hajj Tax as un-Islamic which was later published by the title:

 $"طَردُ الشَّيطَان عَن سَبِيلِ الرَّحْمن اَلمُلَقِّب بِعُمْدَةُ البَيَان فِي حُرْمَةِ كُوشَان"$

“Tard ash-Shaytan an Sabeel ar-Rahman al-Mulallaq bi Omdat al-Bayan fi Hurmate Koshan”

This Fatwa was acknowledged and ratified by many giants of the Islamic World, namely Sadr al-Afadil Maulana Sayyid Na’imudin Muradabadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), Sadr al-Shari’ah Maulana Amjad ‘Ali al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), etc.

Maulana ‘Abd al-‘Alim Siddiqui (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) took this Fatwa and set out to meet with the King in Hijaz and debated the Hajj Tax and presented the Fatwa. The Fatwa of Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) convinced the Saudi Clerics and the King then abolished the Hajj Tax, but unfortunately, the Saudi authorities later reinstated this un-Islamic Tax to exploit the pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Ghawth al-Waqt (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was also a celebrated Poet and the collection of his poetry has been published under the title of Saman-e-Bakhshish which is widely read internationally.

It is amazing to note that wherever you find Sunni Muslims in the world, you ought to find someone amongst them doing work for the Ahle-Sunnah who is either a Mureed or a student of the Mureed of the Ghawth Hadrat Mufti al-A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). The list of students and Khulafa is too extensive to mention here. However, a shortlist of his famous Khulafa is given below. The Ghawth of Allah (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) had over TWENTY MILLION MUREEDS who are living throughout the world.

Pen Case + Ink Pot + 2 Pens + Seal of Mufti-e-Aazam Qutb-e-Aalam Alaihir raHma

A highly treasured collection containing the functional pen case, ink pot, writing pens, and official administrative seal used by Hazrat Mufti-e-Azam (Alaihir Rahmah).

A Shortlist of Some of the Famous Khulafa

The following names of ‘Ulama and Masha’ikh is indeed a very brief list of the many Khulafa of the Grand Sufi Master and Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

Haramayn al-Sharifan and the Arab World:

Qutbul-Waqt Sayyid Amin Qutbi Makki (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh Sayyid ‘Abbas ‘Alawi al-Hasani Maliki (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Ustaz al-‘Ulama Shaykh Noor Muhammad Sayf Makki (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Hadith Master Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki Hasani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Hadrat Maulana Shaykh Fadlur-Rahman al-Qadiri Madani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh Sayyid Mu’ad Fathullah Khalifa al-Husaini Shami

Indo-Pak Sub-Continent:

Muhaddith-e-Pakistan Hadrat Maulana Sardar Ahmad Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Grand Mufassir Hadrat Maulana Ibrahim Raza Jilani al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Ghazali of his time ‘Allama Sayyid Ahmad Sa’id Kazimi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Hadrat Sayyid Ahmad ‘Ali Ajmeri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Mujahid-e-Millat Abdal al-Waqt Hadrat Shah Habibur-Rahman ‘Alawi al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Lion of the Ahle-Sunnah Maulana Hashmat ‘Ali Khan al-Qadiri Radawi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
‘Allama Qadi Sayyid Shamsud-Din Ja’fari al-Husaini Jawanpoori (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho – author of Qanoon-e-Shari’at)
The Muhaddith, Hadrat Haji Mubinud-Din Amrohi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh al-Hadith ‘Allama ‘Abdul-Mustafa Azhari al-Qadiri Amjadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Khalil al-Millat Mufti Muhammad Khalil Khan Barkati (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho – author of Hamara Islam and Sunni Bahishti Zewar)
Prof. Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Amin Mia al-Husaini Barkati PhD (Professor, Aligarh Muslim University, Faculty of Urdu and Sajjada Nasheen Khanqah Barkatiyya, Marehra Sharif)
The Robust Orator and Statesman, Hadrat Maulana RayHan Raza Khan al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Taj ash-Shari’ah Hadrat Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari al-Qadiri
Hadrat Sufi Muhammad Iqbal Radawi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho – compiler of the famous Shame Shabistan-e-Raza)
The Hadith Master, Hadrat Mufti Shariful-Haqq Amjadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Bahrul-‘Uloom Mufti ‘Abdul-Manan al-Qadiri Radawi
The Master Orator, Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad Nizami al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Ustaz al-‘Ulama Maulana Muhammad Jhangir Fatehpur al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Bahral-‘Uloom Mufti Sayyid Afdal-Husain al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Mujahid-e-Ahle Sunnat Sayyid Shah Turabul-Haqq Jilani al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The International Ambassador of Imam Ahmad Raza, Maulana Shah Muhammad Ibrahim Khushtar Siddiqi al-Qadiri Radawi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana ‘Abdul-Qayyoom Hazarwi al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
The Sufi Master and Muhaddith, Hadrat Maulana Qari Maslehud-Din Siddiqi al-Qadiri Amjadi (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Prof. Dr. Sayyid Shah Mufti Ghulam Sarwar al-Husaini al-Qadiri Radawi (PhD, Arabic Grammar)
The Hadith Master Maulana Diya al-Mustafa Qadiri Amjadi
Hadrat Qadi ‘Abdur-Rahim Bastawi al-Qadiri
The Muhaddith and authority on Qasidah al-Burdah, Hadrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Husain Muhaddith Sakkar (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)

South Africa:

Hadrat Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Mukaddam al-Qadiri Radawi MA
Hadrat Maulana ‘Abdul-Hamid Palmer al-Qadiri Noori (Chairman – Sunni ‘Ulama Council, Durban)
Khadim al-‘Ilm al-Sharif Shaykh Abu-Muhammad ‘Abdul-Hadi al-Qadiri Radawi (Founder & President – Imam Ahmad Raza Academy, S. Africa & Director – Barkaatur-Raza Publication, S. Africa)

His Journey to the Haramayn al-Shareefayn

The Ghawth performed his first Hajj in 1323/1905 at the age of 13 years with his illustrious father, Aala-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). His second trip was in 1364/1945 and the third trip was in 1391/1971.

The third trip was a very historic one where all Hujjaj were required to travel with a passport and a valid Hajj visa. Both these documents had to have the photograph of the traveler. But the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), from a very young age, never took a photograph because the sacred Shari’ah forbade the taking of photographs. He always strictly followed the Laws of the Shari’ah in all aspects of his life. Since he had made his Niyyah for Hajj and Ziyarah, hence nothing could now stop him from undertaking this sacred journey.

It was his Charismatic Exploit that the Indian Government and the Saudi Consulate exempted him from the use of a photograph on his passport, which was indeed the first time for something like this to happen. Why not, no Law is superior to the Divine law of Almighty Allah Azzawajal and one who adheres to the Divine Law is always Divinely Protected by the Sublime Lord Azzawajal. This was a unique occasion when the world witnessed the Divine Control of Allah Azzawajal and the authority of His Azzawajal Awliya.

On this trip, the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was accompanied by his wife, his niece, his grandson, the very old servant-lady (Khadima) of his father, Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), and the compiler of this text. This journey was undertaken by ship. The Murshid was welcomed at Jeddah docks by Qutb al-Madinah Shaykh Dia al-Din Ahmad Siddiqi al-Qadiri Madani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), Hadrat Maulana Shaykh Fadlur-Rahman Madani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), the Indian Ambassador and hundreds of Mureeds and followers.

The ‘Ulama of Haramayn Sharifayn, the Arab world, and scholars of Deen always humbled themselves in the presence of the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). These dignitaries sat around the Ghawth as students and devotees seeking his grace, Du’as, and Asanid [Certificates of Khilafat, Hadith Narrations, Fiqh and Awrad].

Amongst the Makkan ‘Ulama who met with and took Ijazah and Khilafah from the Ghawth were:

Qutbul-Waqt ‘Arife-Billah Sayyidi Shaykh Amin Qutbi al-Husaini (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Sayyid al-‘Ulama Hadrat Sayyid ‘Alawi Maliki al-Hasani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho – the illustrious father of Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Ustaz al-‘Ulama Hadrat Maulana Shaykh Muhammad Noor Saif Makki (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi Maliki al-Hasani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho)
Shaykh Sayyid Mu’ad Fathullah Khalifa al-Husaini Shami, etc.

It was in this trip that the famous Muhaddith of Makkah al-Mukarramah, Sayyidi Muhammad ‘Alawi Hasani al-Maliki (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), received the Khilafat of the consecrated Qadiriyyah Spiritual Order and Ijazah of Narration of the Hadith al-Sharif from the great Ghawth, Mufti al-A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

The compiler of this text was personally present in this coronation which took place in the home of Sayyidi Muhammad’s (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) father, Sayyid al-‘Alawi al-Hasani (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) in Makkah al-Mukarramah. He has in his possession the pen and ink-pot which the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) used to write the Certificate of Khilafat and Hadith al-Sharif.

Sayyid Muhammad (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) followed the Murshid al-Kamil throughout his stay in Makkah al-Mukarramah and his ardent love and devotion for the Ghawth were so strong that he even followed him to Madinah al-Munawwarah. Here, in this sanctified city of the Habeeb (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho), the Sayyid daily visited the Master for the 31 days he spent here. The compiler was every moment in the service of the Murshid and responsible to present tea and refreshments to all the guests.

In some meetings, Sayyid Muhammad spent hours with the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho). Periodically, tea was served to the Sayyid, and every time he moved the tea in front of the Master and sat staring at his luminous face. It was the unique nature of the Ghawth (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) that when he had any association with any Sayyid, he expressed great love and affection to them.

Since Sayyidi Muhammad was a progeny of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), the Murshid compassionately requested him to drink the tea. But the Sayyid refused, saying:

“I would only drink if you first make the tea Tabarruk by drinking from it.”

So the Murshid, with tears rolling down his cheeks, read some Du’a and drank a little tea and passed it on to Sayyid Muhammad. The Sayyid’s face brightened up with happiness and he drank the tea.

After some time the Master ordered more tea and the Sayyid would do the same. The Ghawth said that he had already made it Tabarruk the first time and he should now drink it. But Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi replied:

“If I have to drink tea a thousand times in your august presence, you will have to first make it Tabarruk before I drink it.”

This was the extreme love and respect the ‘Ulama and Masha’ikh of Haramayn al-Sharifayn expressed for the great Ghawth of Allah. May the Sublime Lord Azzawajal sanctify their souls and through them, bless us with the sweetness of Iman – Amin thumma Amin.

His Marriage and Children

Ghawth al-Waqt, Murshid al-Kamil (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was married to his cousin and only child of Hadrat Maulana Muhammad Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) on 11th May 1911.

Mawlana Muhammad Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) was the youngest brother of Aala-Hadrat Imam Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) and received all his education from his big brother. He was a master of ‘Ilm al-Fara’id (Faculty of Distribution of Inheritance) and all questions (Fatawa) pertaining to this subject that came to Aala-Hadrat (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) were referred to him to be answered.

Hadrat Mufti A’zam (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) had six daughters and one son, Anwar Raza, who passed away at the tender age of 18 months. His progeny survives through his daughters.

His Wisal Shareef

Ghawth al-Waqt, Mufti al-A’zam Qutb al-‘Alam Imam Mustafa Raza (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho) peacefully departed from this mundane world at the age of 92 on Wednesday night – 1:40 am, 14th Muharram al-Haram 1402 AH / 11th November 1981 CE.

He was put to rest on the right side next to his illustrious father, Qutb al-Irshad Imam al-Akbar Aala-Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza al-Qadiri (Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho).

Although the illustrious Ghawth has physically departed from this material world, the spiritual beams of his guidance and blessings still manifest as a radiant beacon for Mureeds of the sanctified Qadiriyyah Barkatiyyah Radawiyyah Spiritual Order.

May ALLAH Azzawajal The Real Absolute, instill in our hearts the love and honor for all the Awliya-ALLAH and give us the courage to follow the principles of mystical ethics taught by the Righteous ‘Ulama and Masha’ikh and as laid down in their books. Amin thumma Amin.

Inferior Mendicant of the Murshid,
Abu-Muhammad ‘Abd al-Hadi al-Qadiri Ridawi