Akhtar Raza

Akhtar Raza Khan: (Urdu مفتي محمد اختر رضا خان) The Grand Mufti of India, The Crown of Islamic Law, The Jurist of Islam, Leader of the Ulama, A True Guide in Tariqah, The Official Representative of the Ghaus and Mujaddid of this era-Mufti-e-A'zam, the Muslim Chief Justice, Taajush Shariah Hadrat Allama Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari al-Qaadiri was born on the 23 November, 1943 (24 of Dhu al-Qi'dah 1362 Hijri), in the district of Saudagran with in the city of Bareilly Shareef, India. The name given during his Aqeeqah was Muhammad. He was also given the name Muhammad Ismail Raza. However, the name by which he is famously known is Akhtar Raza.

Lineage

Full name 'Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan ibn Mufassir-e-azam Muhammad Ibrahim Raza Khan ibn Hujjat-ul-islam Muhammad Hamid Raza Khan ibn Mujaddid-e-deen-o-millat Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan ibn Mufti Naqi Ali Khan ibn Hakim Taqi Ali Khan ibn Hafiz Kazim Ali Khan ibn Azam Khan ibn Sa'adat Yaar Khan ibn Suja'at Jangbahadur Saeedullah Khan.'

Commencement of Islamic Studies

When Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan reached the age of 4 years, 4 months, 4 days, his father, Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Raza, who was a Islamic Scholar, arranged for his Bismillah Khwaani (Commencement of Islamic Studies). His maternal grandfather, Mufti-e-Azam, Hazrat Maulana Shah Mustafa Raza Khan, performed the traditional Bismillah Khwaani. All the students Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam, which was originally built by Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan were invited to this auspicious function.

Basic Education

Akhtar Raza Khan received his basic Islamic education at his home and he completed the basic recitation and study of the Holy Quran under the guidance of his mother. He then studied further under the guidance of his father.

Having completed his basic studies at home, Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan enrolled him in Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam in Bareilly. Here, under the guidance of teachers and scholars, he studied many books, commencing with the basics such as, Mizaan, Munshaib, Nohmeer and proceeding to much more advanced books such as Hidaya Akhirain, etc.

Literary Works

Akhtar Raza Khan has written many books on a vast range of topics covering science, religion and philosophy. A collection of fatwas by the title of Azharul Fatawa, is his magnus opus. He also did many translations.

Books

  • Al-Haqqul Mobeen (الحق المبين)
  • Difa Kanzul Iman (دفاع كنزالايمان)
  • T.V.Video Ka Sharai Operation (ثيوي ويديوكا شرعي ابريشن)
  • Miratun Najdiyah (مرات النجديه)
  • Tasweeron ka Sharai Hukm (تصويروكاشرعي حكم)
  • Sharah Hadees e Niyat (شرح حديث نيت)
  • Sharah Hadees ul Ikhlaas (شرح حديث الاخلاص)
  • Hazrat Ibrahim ke Walid Tarikh Ya Aazar (حضرت ابراهيم كي والد تارخ يا ازر)
  • Teen Talaqon Ka Sharai Hukm (ثين طلاقون كاشرعي حكم)
  • Aasar e Qiyamat (اثارقيامث)
  • Hijrat e Rasool (هجرت رسول)
  • Al Qaul ul Faiq (القول الفايق)
  • Barkat ul Imdad (Translation) (بركاث الامداد)
  • Hashiyat ul Bukhari (حاشيه الصحيح البخاري)
  • Shamool ul Islam (Translation) (شموم الاسلام)
  • Al Ataul Qadeer (Translation) (العطاالقدير)
  • Al Motaqedul Muntaqad (Translation) (المعتقدالمنتقد)
  • Qaseedatan Raiyataan (Translation) (قصيد تان رايعتان)
  • Taqdeem Altajjali ussalam (تقديم الثجلي السلم)
  • Fiqh e Shahinshah (Translation) (فقه شهنشاه)
  • Ahlaq ul Wahbain (Translation) (اهلاك الوهابين)
  • Al Hadi ul Kaaf (Translation) (الهادي الكاف)
  • Ek Aham Fatawa (ايك اهم فتوي)
  • Hashiat ul Azhari (حاشيه الازهري)
  • Miratun Najdiyah (Part-2) (مرات النجديه حصه دويم)
  • Hashia Sharah Qasidah Burdah Shareef (حاشيه عصيده الشهده شرح القصيده البرده)
  • Kya Deen Ki Muhim Poori ho Chuki (كيا دين كي مهم بوري هو جكي)
  • Jashn e Eid Miladunnabi (جشن عيد ميلاد النبي)
  • Az Zulalul Anqa (Translation) (الزلال الانقي)
  • Wajh e Tasmia Asma e Sura e Fatiha (وجه تسميه اسماي سوره فاتحه)
  • Fazail e Siddique Akbar (Translation) (فضايل صديق اكبر)
  • Safeenae Bakhshish (Naatiyah Deewan) (سفينه بخشش)
  • Tie ka Masla (تاي كا مسله)
  • Fazilat e Nasab (Translation) (فضيلت نصب)
  • Suno Chup Raho (سنو جب رهو)
  • Ataya Al-Qadir fi Hukm At-taswir
  • Anwar Al-mannan fi Tawhid Al-quran

Azharul Fatawa

Azharul Fatawa is a collection of English Fatwa given by Mufti Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari. The collection has been widely acclaimed and accepted by Sunni Muslims all over the world and specially by Sunni Muslim Communities living in USA, Europe, South Africa and Western countries. The type of questions submitted in Azharul Fatawa are useful to these communities and English-speaking Muslims who find the issues addressed here new and interesting in the context of today's lifestyle.

Safeena-e-Bakhshish

Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has immense love for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alahi wasallam). The immense love and reverence that Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alahi wasallam) can be acknowledged and estimated by reading Safina-e-Bakhshish, in which every line of every page is proof of the fact that the most sacred thing in the world to Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari is the love of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alahi wasallam). Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari never wrote flattering poem in praise of any person to persuade or convince him of something, because Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has whole-heartedly accepted the servitude, obedience and slavery of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alahi wasallam).

Academic Status

Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari is well versed in several branches of oriental learning, including Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Sarf, Nahv, Tajweed, Tassawuf, Mantiq, Seerah, Tareekh, Hayat, Balaghat, Aqaid, Reyazvi, Touqeet, Jafar , Kalam and has full command over Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Persian and English languages with a fluency akin to a native speaker and writer.

Al Azhar University in Cairo|thumb|240px

Education in Cairo

Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari studied Tafseer of the Holy Quran and Ahadith for three years during 1963 to 1966 at the Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

Mastery Over The Arabic Language

Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has excellent command and mastery over the Arabic language, While studying at the Al Azhar University in Cairo, when he conversed with teachers and students in superior Arabic, they would often look stunned.

Best Foreign Student

Tajush Shariyah Hazrat Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari achieved the distinction of being one of the best foreign students to have studied at the Al Azhar University and he also used to achieve first position during every examination. Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari continued his studies at the Al Azhar University and began achieving more success in the academic field as the days passed.

First Position in Cairo

Tajush Shariah Hazrat MaulanaMufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari stood first position in the whole of Cairo, in one famous monthly magazine Alahadrat, this distinction was echoed in the following words: The Great grandson of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, the grandson of Huzoor Hujjatul Islam, Maulana Haamid Raza Khan and the son of Hazrat Ibrahim Raza Khan graduated with a B.A. degree in Arabic in a most worthy and excellent manner. His eminence did not only come first within the confines of the Al Azhar University, but also first in the whole of Cairo. May Allah grant him more success, make him worthy of propagation, and may be known as the true Successor of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan.

Al Azhar Award

Tajush Shariah Hazrat Allama Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Al Azhari was awarded the Jamia Azhar Award by Colonel Jamal Abdul Nasir upon graduating from the Al Azhar University, He was also presented with a Certificate of Merit in the field of Ahadith. Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan returned India to continue his Islamic mission after graduating and receiving the Al Azhar Award.

Great Welcome by Mufti-e-Azam

Tajush Shariah Hazrat Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari returned Bareilly, India, when he was 24 years old and three years later. And, of course, being anxious of his well being, a large crowd awaited him at the Bareilly railway station. They gave him a very warm welcome. An article describing his return to Bareilly Shareef was written by Mr. Umeed Razvi. It was printed in the Monthly Ala Hadrat magazine. It was printed in the December issue under the title, Great Welcome. The article reads as follows: A beautifully coloured and scented rose from the garden of Ala Hazrat, his Eminence, Maulana Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari, the son of Hazrat Mufassir-e-Azam Hind Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan arrived in Bareilly Shareef after a lengthy stay at the Al Azhar University in Cairo.
Tajush Sharia Hazrat Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has arrived in Bareilly Shareef after completing his studies at the Al Azhar University in Cairo. He was welcomed at the Bareilly Junction Railway Station by many well-wishers, friends, families, great Ulama and students of Madressa Manzare Islam. Under the spiritual supervision of Huzoor Sarkaar Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan, they all welcomed him. They showed his Eminence a great deal of love, respect and congratulates Maulana Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari and his relatives on such a success.

Distinguished Teachers

Tajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Al Azhari received his education under the supervision of many distinguished teachers, who were great scholars of their time. Among them were:

  • Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind, Maulana Shah Mustafa Raza Khan Noori Barakaati (radi Allahu anhu).
  • Bahrul-Uloom, Maulana Sayed Afzal Husain Razvi.
  • Sheikh-e-Tafseer, Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan Jilani Mian (radi Allahu anhu).
  • Hazrat Maulana Allama Muhammad Simahi- Sheikh-ul-Hadith and Tafseer, Al Azhar University.
  • Hazrat Maulana Mahmood Abdul Ghaffar- Al Azhar University.
  • Rehaan-e-Millat, Hazrat Maulana Rehaan Raza Khan and
  • Ustaaz-ul-Ulama, Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Jahangeer Khan Razvi.

Islamic Supreme Chief Justice

Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has been declared as the Qazi ul Qaza or Qadi-ul-Qudat(Muslim Chief Justice) for the entire country of India, during the Urs e Razavi in October 2006 in the presence of many Ulama, prominent Islamic Scholars and thousands of people.

Fatawa

Tajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari is a mufti of international repute. From more than forty years, questions for fatwa from every corner of the world receives by Mufti Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari, who replies them explicitly with ample references and quotations from Holy Quran, Hadith and other authentic books of Islamic religion and science. Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri has continued this since when he was only 17 years old and under the spiritual guidance of Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) and Maulana Muhammad Afzal Hussain Razvi. Due to the tremendous work load and inquiries received from all parts of the world, many other Islamic scholars work under the direct supervision of Taajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan to fulfill this great need.  In this field, Mufti Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri has written a number of books and booklets on a number of issues. But his masterpiece is Urdu Fatawa which runs in more than 65 registers spread over thousands of pages. It can be called a dictionary of Fatwas and an encyclopedia of Muslim jurisprudence.
This service to humanity and Islam has always been a feature of the family of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza. and has been offered to the world community for the past 178 years. Continuing in this vein, his Eminence Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri continues to answer questions pertaining to various issues relating to Islam and the world. If we examine the details listed below, we will gain an insight as to the lengthy period in which this service was upheld by this reputed family. 

  • 1831 to 1865 - Hazrat Maulana Mufti Raza Ali Khan (radi Allahu anhu).
  • 1869 to 1921 - Mujadid-e-deen-o-millat Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu)
  • 1895 to 1942 - Hujjatul Islam Hazrat Maulana Haamid Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu).
  • 1910 to 1981 - Huzoor Mufti-e-azam Hind Hazrat Maulana Mustafa Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu).
  • 1960 till Now - Tajush Shariah Hazrat Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari.
Centre of Islamic Studies Bareilly India|thumb|240px

Centre of Islamic Studies

Markazuddrasatal Islami Jamiatur Raza: Tajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari established 'Jamiatur Raza' an islamic University in May 2000. This is a remarkably advanced educational institution with high excellent standards in education in various fields of knowledge catering for both the secular and spiritual. Tajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari established and initiated it for the benefit of mankind and Islamic followers and its flourishing, the education and schooling of the new generation is the basic need of the hour. This noble object has always drawn the attention of Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan and after him, Qazi-ul-Quzzat (Islamic Supreme Cheif Justice), Huzoor Taajush Shariah, Hazrat Allama Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari to establish the grand religious institution that could be conductive to profound learning and through the correct understanding of Holy Quran and Sunnah, so as to discover the hidden part of Islamic ideology to suit the present situations of scientific and technical era. To also inculcate in the new generation, the true Islamic spirit and characteristics of a devoted preacher. At the same time it may emphatically gird them up with modern knowledge, so that they could guard themselves against heretic ideologies and material outlook. With their reasonable and logical approach they could put forth Islam before others, as an ideal and evergreen way of life and beneficial to mankind. Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan is the only thinker who brought an awaking in the Muslim community and provided the safeguard for Islam from the different influences of the era, in 20th Century. Sub-serving this ideology, Huzoor Tajush Shariah Hazrat Akhtar Raza Khan felt a strong urge to lay down an effective system of education for the Sunni Muslims, which may infuse our learners as well as essential modern branches of knowledge. Hence, keeping in view the above, the Centre of Islamic Studies Jamiatur Raza was initiated on the 29th of May 2000.

Spritual Successors or Khulafa

The Khulafa or spritual successors of Taj-e-Shariyat, Tajdaar-e-Ahle Sunnat, Taj-e-Wilayat-o-Karamat, Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind, Maulana Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari are said to be in the thousands. They are not only present in India, but are spread throughout the world. The names of some of the famous Khulafa are:

  • Shahzada-e-tajush Shariah Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Asjad Raza Khan Qaadiri, Bareilly, India
  • Hazrat Maulana Doctor Muhammad Shafique Ajmal Qaadiri, Varanasi, India
  • Fazilatush Sheikh Hazrat Allama Sheikh Abu Bakr, Calicut, Kerala, India
  • Hazrat Maulan Haneeful Qaadiri, Nepal
  • Allama Qamarul Hasan Bastavi, U.S.A.
  • Maulana Syed Shahid Ali Noorani, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Maulana Doctor Syed Irshad Bukhari, Director Jamia Islamia, Deenajpur, Bangladesh
  • Fazilatush Sheikh Hazratul Allam Umar Saleem Alhanafi Almehandi, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Hafizuz Shaheera Al Hafiz Saiful Malik Qaadiri, Varanasi, India

In India: Muahaqiq-e-asr Hazrat Maulana Mufti Syed Shahid Ali Razvi, Mufti Anwar Ali Razvi Bangalore, Maulana Asghar Ali Razvi Karnataka, Maulana Sagheer Ahmad Jokhanpuri

International Fame

Tajush Shariah Hazrat Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari has traveled to many parts of the world to help strenthen the faith of the weak Muslims at his blessed hands. He has visited countries like, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Pakistan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tanzania, Malawi, Iraq, Kenya, Canada, Jordon, Dubai, Palestine, United States of America and Lebnon. Pride of Azhar Award (Fakhre-e-Azhar Award):Tajush Shariah Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari (May Allah Most Exalted preserve him) has been awarded prestigeous Fakhr-e-Azhar Award by the President of Al Azhar University Seikh Ahmad Tayyib on 5th May 2009.
Journey to al-Sham: 22nd August 2008 was a blessed day for the people of Syria. The esteemed and august personality of the Sunni Islamic world, the heir of the knowledge of Ala Hazrat Mujaddid-o-deen-o-millat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Tajush Shariah, Sheikh Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadri Al Azhari arrived in Syria.

References

  • Tajalliyat-e-tajush-shariya, Compiled by Maulana Shahidul Qaadiri
  • Beeswee'n Sadi Me Ulama-e-Ahlesunnat ki Adabi Aur Deeni Khidmaat by Doctor Shafique Ajmal Qaadiri
  • At Tasdeeque By Gulrez Ahmad

See also

  • Ala Hazrat
  • Mustafa Raza Khan
  • Sunni