Ghaus al-Waqt Hazrat Mufti Azam Allama Moulana Muhammad Mustafa Raza al-Qaadri Barkaati Noori Rehmatullah Alay – The youngest son of Aala-Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Rehmatullah Alay
Date & Place of Birth:
Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Rehmatullah Alay) was born on Monday 22 Zilhajj 1310 Hijri and according to Gregorian Calendar 18th July 1892 in Bareilly Sharif (UP) India.
His Name:
His father Aala-Hazrat Shah Imam Ahmed Raza (Rehmatullah Alay) proposed his name as “Aalur-Rehman” and his spiritual Master (Murshid al-Kaamil) named him “Abul Barkat Mohiuddin Jilani”. His Aqiqa was performed on the name “Muhammad” and pseudonym was kept “Mustafa Raza”.
His Full name:
Hazrat Abul-Barkat Mohiyyuddin Jilani Aalur-Rehman Shah Muhammad Mustafa Raza Qaadri Barkati Noori (Rehmatullah Alay).
At that time of birth, his father Aala-Hazrat Shah Imam Ahmed Raza Qaadri Barkaati (Rehmatullah Alay) was visiting the Mazaar Sharif of his spiritual master (Murshid al-Kaamil) Hazrat Shah Aal-e-Rasool Marahrawi (Rehmatullah Alay). Qutubul-Waqt Noor-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sayyid Shah Abul Husain Ahmade-Noori Mian, Sajjada Nasheen of Khanqah-e-Aaliya Barkatiya Marehra Sharif (Rehmatullah Alay) was present in Marehra Sharif. After performing the Asr prayer, Hazrat Noori Miya (Rehmatullah Alay) was exiting the Masjid and Aala-Hazrat was following behind him. Hazrat Noori Miya suddenly vocalized:
“Moulana Ahmed Raza! A son is born to you in your home in Bareilly. When I came to Bareilly, I will see that child who is full of good fate and blessings. Millions of people will benefit from him.”
On the morning of the child’s birth, Aala-Hazrat (Rehmatullah Alay) had dreamt at the time of Tahajjud salah that a son was born to him in Bareilly and so he proposed his name as Aalur-Rehman.
Education & guidance
Hazrat Moulana Mustafa Raza spent his childhood under the guidance of his illustrious father, Aala-Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza (Alay-e-Rehma) and under his patronage he taught him all sciences of Islamic knowledge. In those days leading scholars of that time came to quench their thirst of knowledge in the presence of Aala-Hazrat (Rehmatullah Alay),.
When Mufti-e-Aam reached at the age of 9 years, then Aala- Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza (Rehmatullah Alay) announced in a gathering of Ulamas and scholars at Bareilly Sharif:
“My son is a saint, take advantage from him.”
The words uttered by Aala Hazrat proved to be true and the whole world saw that this child really grew up and shone brilliantly around the world with the name of “Tajdar-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat” and “Mufti-e-Azam Hind”, by whose spiritual grace millions of misguided people returned to the right path.
Hazrat’s Bay’ah and Khilafa
After six months of the birth of Mufti-e-Azam Hind, Hazrat Abul Husain Noori Miya (Rehmatullah Alay), visited the child and congratulated Aala-Hazrat on his birth and emphasized:
“When this child grows up, he will do great service to the DEEN of Islam and the nation, and the creation of Allah will be greatly blessed through him. This child is a saint (Wali). Through him a river of grace will flow; because of him millions of people will be guided on the true religion of Islam”.
After this, Peer-e-Tariqat Hazrat Sayyid Shah Abul Husain Noori Miya (Rehmatullah Alay) put his fingers in the mouth of the Mufti-e-Azam Hind and initiated him in the Qadri sisila as a mureed and bestowed his Khilafah on him.
His Academic and Spiritual Status
He was the beacon of a family where knowledge and piety was a signpost. No matter how difficult and complex any Islamic issue was, he instantly solved them. The focus of all the Muftis and Ulema was always on him and they reverted to him on all matters of religion. Mufti-e-Azam Hind authored many books in his life. If anyone intends to gauge the extent of his knowledge, one may study his famous book “Fatwa-e-Mustafawiyah”.
Hazrat Allama Moulana Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri Barkati Noori famously known as “Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind” was a true saint (Wali) of Allah. His position in worship and devotion was extremely high. His instruction about devotion and piety is as follows:
“People strive for piety, no piety or worship is equal to the rules and etiquettes of prayers, especially praying five times daily with the congregation (jamaa’at) in the masjid.”
He did everything with sincerity for the sake of the Divine Pleasure of Allah and considered the following of Shari’ah as the source of salvation. Following the Shari’ah is the spirit of worship and devotion. If he knew that any of his disciples were negligent of prayers (namaaz), he would get very angry at them and council them to be obedient to Allah and regularly worship Him.
His Hajj and Ziyarah
He performed Hajj 3 times. The third Hajj was performed in 1971 and this trip was a very memorable and historical one. He performed this Hajj without photograph on his passport and he was accompanied by Moulana Abdul Hadi Qaadiri Radawi as his khadim. Before this he performed Hajj in 1905 and 1946, at that time there was no requirement for a photograph. On the occasion of his last Hajj, he was highly honored and warmly welcomed by Qutb-e-Madinah Hazrat Maulana Zia-ud-Din Madani Siddiqi (Rehmatullah Alay), the Caliph of Aala-Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza (Rehmatullah Alay). Qutbe Madina’s entire family arrived in Jeddah from Madinah Sharif to welcome him. Mufti-e-Azam Hind was overjoyed to meet Hazrat Qutbe Madina.
During his stay in Madinah Sharif, a large number of residents of from Madinah Sharif and pilgrims from all over the world visited him for duas and blessings and became his murids. People used to come from far and wide to sit in his auspicious company and many people pledged allegiance (bay’ah) in Qaadriyya Silsila and some were granted Khilafat. Numerous Masha’ikh and Ulama from around the world requested for certificates of Hadith from Hazrat Mufti Azam which he granted them.
Preaching Islam and serving the people
Mufti-e-Azam Hind spent his entire life preaching Islam. He spent every moment of his sanctified life in remembrance of Allah and in the service of Allah’s creation. He had profound love of Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon him) and considered this as the reason of his salvation. He always urged the people to abide by the Shari’ah and he himself devoutly followed it. His whole life was spent in following the Sunnah of the beloved Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). Service to the religion, worship and Spiritual Devotion were the sole purpose and objective of his life.
By just looking at his luminous face, thousands of non-Muslims reverted to Islam. He taught the world true love and sincere devotion. This was all due to the training and grooming of his illustrious father, the great Mujaddid Imam Ahmed Raza (Rehmatullah Alay).
He was a symbol of sincerity and love. His attributes were gentle and loving to friends, devotees and disciples. People always flocked to his Astana-e-Aliya. People used to travel thousands of miles to Bareilly Sharif to just have a glimpse of his brilliant countenance and take his blessings. People would return overjoyed and full of great spirits after visiting him. Not only Muslims but Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and people of other religions visited him for his blessings. Many non-muslims reverted to Islam on his hands.
Millions of people repented from their sins and according to records, more than 20 million people became his disciples (murids).
Hazrat Mufti Azam Hind, Maulana Mustafa Raza (Rehmatullah Alay) was a man of great moral character. He used to treat people with great love and compassion. He did not have any pride and arrogance; his footsteps were steadfast on truth. He was full of submissiveness and humility. He used to take great care of the poor, the sick, the orphans and the destitutes. He used to greet people first. Truth and kind words always came out of his tongue. He used to visit the sick people and take great care of the poor and needy persons and helped them. Whenever someone came to him, he would first greet him, ask him his name and reason for his visit. He would inquire about his welfare, and bless them with duas. He would arrange food and lodging for his guests and asked him “what can this faqir do for you”?
He cared a lot of the helpless people and took care of their required needs. If a poor person would invite him, he would accept his invitation. However, he would avoid the company and visitation of the worldly and wealthy people. He always loved the poor. It was his nature to inquire about the welfare of those who resided far away or absent from his company.
Hazrat Mufti Azam always remained engaged in Durood and Wazaif, but if someone came to visit him for his need, he would immediately attend to him and inquire about his needs and attend to them. No person was sent back from his Astana without being attended to.
According to saying of Shaikh Saadi (Rehmatullah):
“To meet the needs of the needy people is better than Durood-o-Wazaif.”
His personality was full of piety, humbleness and the spirit of serving Allah’s creation.
Profound Love of the Holy Prophet of Allah (Peace be upon him) and Hazrat Ghousal-Azam (Radi Allahu anhu).
Ishq-e-Rasool is the identity of Aala-Hazrat’s family. Ishq-e-Rasool (Peace be Upon him) is entrenched in his pious family and why not it should be, when Hazrat Mufti Azam was the successor of Aala-Hazrat (Rehmatullah Alay). He always kept in mind that without the love of the glorious Prophet of Allah (Peace be Upon him), worship is not worship. Love and reverence of the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is the spirit of worship.
The book Samaan-e-Bakhshish is a collection of Hazrat’s written poetic stanzas i.e. Naat Sharif.
He used to say that “my faith and religion is the person and personality of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Peace be upon him).”
He had great reverence and love for Shahanshah-e-Baghdad Piran-e-Pir Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadri Jilani Ghous-ul-Azam Dastagir (radi Allahu anhu) and he used to consider this Qaadri relationship as the source of salvation. His love for Ghaus-ul-Azam can be gauged by his manqabats he compiled in praise of the Great Ghaus.
Hazrat Mufti Azam was an ardent lover of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him); the Companions (Sahabah) and the Ahl al-Bayt (Radi Allahu Anhum). He was also a great lover of Ghaus & Khawaja and the saints of Allah (Rehmatullah Alayim ajma’een). He taught the Muslim world and his followers to love these holy personalities.
He taught the lesson of brotherhood and love during his entire life, but he was a lethal sword for the enemies and heretics. He did not compromise with disrespectful irreligious persons and avoided their company. This was message was of the maslak-e-Ahl al-Sunnat wa Jamaa’at.
His Sad Demise
He had offered Isha prayers a few hours before his demise and made this dua:
“I present all my followers in the court of Ghous-ul-Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Rehmatullah Alay)”
He met with his Creator on 14 Muharramul Haraam 1402 / 12 November 1981 at 1-40am, in Wednesday night at the age of 92 years.
On Friday, he was laid to rest beside his illustrious father, Aala-Hazrat Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat Imam Ahmed Raza Qaadiri Barkaati (Rehmatullah Alay).
Millions of people attended his funeral. Ambassadors of many Muslim countries also visited Bareilly. Apart from Muslims, many Hindus, Sikhs and Christians also attended his funeral.
In conclusion, the great son of Aala-Hazrat left millions of Muslims sorrowful and mourning. The Muslim World lost a great personality and left a destitute after his sad demise. Thought he has physically departed from this mundane world, his services, and teaching are still being taught by his Khalifas who are spread-out throughout the world. The Ummah will always remember till the Day of Judgment.
Ghousul Azam Welfare Foundation
South Africa
The Founder and Patron-in-Chief of Ghousul Azam Welfare Foundation, South Africa is Hazrat Shaykh Abu-Muhammad Abdul Haadi Al- Qaadiri Radawi Noori (Damat Barkatahumul Aliya). He is the mureed and Khalifa of Hazrat Mutfi Azam Moulana Mustafa Raza al-Qaadiri Noori (Rehmatullah Alay).
Alhmdullillah! Shaykh Abdul Hadi is striving diligently to promote the Mission of Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind and making great efforts in promoting the teachings of Aala-Hazrat and teachings of Mufti-e-Azam Hind. He has translated and published over 60 books of Aala-Hazrat and other great luminaries into the English language and spread them around the world.
We pray to Almighty Allah to grant Hayat-e-Khizri to Hazrat Sheikh, by the waseela of Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) and to keep his shadow opon the Muslim world and all his followers and devotees. May the river of the blessings of Huzoor Mufti Azam Hind which is flowing through him, continue to flow with more blessings. May Allah protect Hazrat from the envious persons, from the enemies and grant us and the entire Ahl-e-Sunnah the ability to assist him in his noble mission. May Allah grant more blessings and steadfastness to the Ghous-e-Azam Welfare Foundation to continue with the great work they are doing. This is an organization founded by Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Hadi. May all the members, supporters and associates of this organization be blessed with happiness and success in both the worlds.
Aameen ya Rabbal Alameen wa sallallahu ala Sayyidil Anbiya wal Mursaleen wa Aalihi wa Ashaabihi wa Awliya e Ummatihi Ajma’een.