Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat · Imam of Ahle Sunnah
Ala Hazrat
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ
14 Shawwal 1272 AH – 25 Safar 1340 AH (1856–1921 CE)
"جس کے دل میں حبِّ مصطفیٰ ﷺ نہیں وہ مسلمان نہیں۔"
Introduction
Who is Ala Hazrat?
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ), lovingly known as Ala Hazrat, was born on 10 Shawwal 1272 AH (14 June 1856 CE) in Mohalla Saudagran, Bareilly, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh, India). He was a towering Islamic scholar, jurist, reformer, poet, and polymath who dedicated his entire life to the defence of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah creed and the honour of the Prophet ﷺ.
He is universally acknowledged as the Mujaddid (Reviver) of the 14th Islamic century. His contributions span across more than 50 academic disciplines, and his influence continues to guide hundreds of millions of Sunni Muslims worldwide.
Lineage
Full Name & Blessed Lineage
Full Name
Ahmed Raza Khan ibn Naqi Ali Khan ibn Raza Ali Khan ibn Hafiz Kazim Ali Khan
Kunyat
Abu al-Barakaat
Laqab (Title)
Ala Hazrat, Imam of Ahle Sunnah, Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat, Hujjat al-Islam
Ancestral Origin
Pashtun lineage — ancestors migrated from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Lahore, then settled in Mohalla Saudagran, Bareilly, India during the Mughal era.
Silsila (Spiritual Chain)
Qadiri Silsila — connected to Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) through multiple chains of authorisation.
Family
Blessed Family
Father
Maulana Naqi Ali Khan (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) — a renowned scholar and author of significant Islamic works.
Grandfather
Maulana Raza Ali Khan (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) — a great scholar who served in the court of the last Mughal rulers.
Sons
Hujjat al-Islam Mufti Hamid Raza Khan (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) — elder son, succeeded as leader of Jama'at Raza-e-Mustafa (1875–1943).
Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Mustafa Raza Khan (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) — younger son, Grand Mufti of India (1892–1981).
Great-Grandson
Huzoor Tajushariya Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Qadri Azhari (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) — son of Ibrahim Raza Khan (son of Hujjat al-Islam), crowned as Tajushariya (Crown of Shariah), one of the greatest scholars of the 20th century (1943–2018).
Spiritual Chain
Hierarchy & Khilafat
The spiritual hierarchy from Ala Hazrat to the present day, carrying forward the luminous tradition of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah:
Mujaddid of the 14th century. Founded the Sunni movement in the subcontinent in its modern form.
Elder son of Ala Hazrat. Led Jama'at Raza-e-Mustafa and continued the scholarly legacy from Bareilly Sharif.
Grand Mufti of India. Younger son of Ala Hazrat. Issued thousands of fatawa and trained countless scholars.
Son of Hujjat al-Islam Hamid Raza Khan. Carried forward the family's scholarly tradition.
Great-grandson of Ala Hazrat (son of Ibrahim Raza Khan). Crowned Tajushariya (Crown of Shariah). Led the global Sunni community for decades. Founded Jamiatur Raza in 2000.
Son of Huzoor Tajushariya. Currently leading the spiritual and scholarly legacy from Bareilly Sharif, guiding the global Sunni community.
Life
Timeline of His Blessed Life
Born on 10 Shawwal 1272 AH (14 June 1856) in Mohalla Saudagran, Bareilly, India.
Finished reciting the entire Holy Quran at the tender age of 4 years.
Issued his first legal ruling (fatwa) at the age of 13 — an extraordinary feat that astounded the senior Ulama.
Mastered all prescribed courses of advanced Islamic learning under his father, Maulana Naqi Ali Khan.
Took Bai'at in the Qadiri silsila under Shah Aale Rasool Marehrawi (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) in 1294 AH and received Khilafat in multiple silsilas.
Performed Hajj and visited Madinah Munawwarah. Prepared the draft of Al-Motamad al-Mustanad during this blessed journey.
Published the historic treatise with 33 endorsements from ulama of Haramain (20 Mecca Sharif and 13 Madina Sharif scholars) plus 268 scholars from South Asia.
Completed the famed Kanzul Iman — his celebrated Urdu translation of the Holy Quran, revered worldwide for its devotional eloquence.
Major sections of his grand compendium of fatawa, spanning 30 volumes and 22,000+ pages, were compiled during this era.
Passed away on 25 Safar 1340 AH (28 October 1921) in Bareilly. His janazah was attended by hundreds of thousands.
Works
Major Literary Contributions
Kanzul Iman
Celebrated Urdu translation of the Holy Quran, known for its eloquence and adherence to Sunni creed.
Fatawa Razaviyyah
30-volume encyclopaedic collection of Islamic legal rulings — over 22,000 pages covering every branch of Fiqh.
Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish
Collection of sublime Na'at (poetry in praise of the Prophet ﷺ) — widely recited across the world.
Al-Dawlat al-Makkiyyah
A masterpiece on the knowledge of the unseen (Ilm-e-Ghayb) granted to the Prophet ﷺ by Allah.
Hussam al-Haramain
A decisive document endorsed by 33 ulama of Makkah and Madinah (1906), defending the Sunni creed against deviant beliefs.
Tamheed-e-Iman
A foundational text explaining the correct Sunni belief regarding respect for the Prophet ﷺ.
Jadd al-Mumtar
Comprehensive super-commentary on the famous Hanafi Fiqh text Radd al-Muhtar (Fatawa Shami).
Subhan al-Subbuh
A treatise proving the perfection and purity of the Prophet ﷺ from any defect.
Salam-e-Raza
The world-famous Salaam recited at Mawlid gatherings: 'Mustafa Jaane Rehmat pe Lakhon Salaam'.
Knowledge
Mastery Over 50+ Disciplines
Ala Hazrat was a true polymath. His written works span across more than 50 fields of knowledge, including but not limited to:
Recognition
Titles & Achievements
Mujaddid of the 14th Century
Universally acknowledged as the reviver of Islam in the 14th Hijri century.
Imam of Ahle Sunnah
Leader and flagship scholar of the Sunni world.
Hujjat al-Islam
Proof of Islam — awarded by scholars of Haramain for his unmatched knowledge.
Endorsed by 33 Ulama of Haramain
20 Mecca Sharif and 13 Madina Sharif scholars signed the Hussam al-Haramain in support of his positions.
1000+ Written Works
Authored over a thousand books, treatises, fatawa collections, and poetic works.
Translated the Quran
Kanzul Iman remains the most popular Urdu translation among Sunni Muslims globally.
Aqeedah
The Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah
Ala Hazrat was the foremost defender of authentic Sunni Islam in the Indian subcontinent. He stood firmly against all deviant sects and ideologies that disrespected the Prophet ﷺ or contradicted the established creed of the majority of Muslims.
Absolute love and reverence for the Prophet ﷺ (Ishq-e-Rasool)
The Prophet ﷺ is alive in his blessed grave (Hayat al-Nabi)
The Prophet ﷺ has been granted knowledge of the unseen by Allah (Ilm-e-Ghayb)
Intercession (Shafa'ah) of the Prophet ﷺ is Haqq (truth)
Visiting the shrines of Awliya (saints) and seeking blessings is permissible
Celebrating the birth of the Prophet ﷺ (Mawlid/Milad) is a blessed practice
Tawassul (seeking means through righteous people) is established in Quran & Sunnah
Following one of the four Madhabs (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) is obligatory for the layperson
Wisaal
His Passing & Legacy
Ala Hazrat passed away on 25 Safar 1340 AH (28 October 1921 CE) in Bareilly Sharif, India. His janazah (funeral) prayer was attended by an estimated 300,000 people. He was laid to rest in Bareilly Sharif, where his mazaar (shrine) remains a site of ziyarah (visitation) for millions of devotees from around the world.
His legacy lives on through the thousands of scholars he trained, the institutions inspired by his mission, and the hundreds of millions of Sunni Muslims who follow his path of love for the Prophet ﷺ and adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.
Na'at
Selected Poetry
مصطفیٰ جانِ رحمت پے لاکھوں سلام
Mustafa Jaane Rehmat Pe Lakhon Salaam
Millions of salutations upon Mustafa ﷺ, the soul of mercy
وہ کمالِ حسنِ حضور ہے کہ گمانِ نقص یہاں نہیں
Woh Kamal e Husn e Huzoor Hai Ki Guman e Naqs Jahan Nahi
Such is the perfection of the beauty of the Prophet ﷺ that there is no thought of deficiency
سرور کہوں کہ مالک و مولا کہوں تجھے، باغِ خلیل کا گلِ زیبا کہوں تجھے
Sarwar Kahoon Ke Maliko Mola Kahoon Tujhe, Bagh-e-Khalil Ka Gul-e-Zeba Kahoon Tujhe
Shall I call You ﷺ Master or Lord — or the beautiful rose of the garden of Khalil