A’la Hazrat Imam Ahle Sunnat Ash Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) beautified the hearts of the Muslims with the love of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) through his academic wonders, sweet speeches and most beautiful Naaths. He had such intense love for our Beloved Master Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that he never tolerated even the slightest disrespect towards the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

Imagine the condition of that Aashiq-e-Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who is blessed with the opportunity of visiting the Rauza-e-Aqdas of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and placing his eyes on the doorstep of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). This opportunity of performing his first Hajj and Ziyaarah was granted to A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) on the 26th of Shawwal 1295 A.H. (1876). He was 20 years of age at the time.

One day, after completing his Hajj, he went to perform his Maghrib Salaah before the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim. Having completed his Salaah, the Imam of the Shafi’i order of Makkatul Mukarramah, Allamah Hussain bin Saleh Kamaal (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), approached him. He clutched A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) by his hand and led him to his house. The great Imam then placed his hand on the blessed forehead of A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and said, “Verily, I am observing the Noor of Almighty Allah on this forehead.” He began addressing A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) by the title of ‘Zia’uddeen’ (The Light or Splendour of Deen).

It was also during this historical visit that Sayyiduna A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) informed the Ulama-e-Haramain Sharifain concerning the blasphemous and corrupt beliefs of the Ulama-e-Deoband. Having studied A’la Hazrat’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) books, “Aljaamu Sunnah Li Ahli Fitna” and “Al Mu’tamadul Mustanad”, which he presented to them, they also gave their verdicts on those who committed blasphemy and those who had written words of disrespect against Almighty Allah and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The verdicts of the Ulama of Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinatul Munawwarah were compiled to form the famous, “Husaamul Haramain.”

 A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) performed his second Hajj in 1323 A.H. (1905) at the age of 49. On the 25th of Zil-Hajj, Sayyiduna A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) once again had the opportunity of meeting the great Imam, Shaikh Saleh Kamaal (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). It was on this occasion that Allamah Shaikh Saleh Kamaal (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) presented A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) with five questions pertaining to I’lm-e-Ghaib (Knowledge of the Unseen). These questions were posed on behalf of the Wahaabi Ulama of Makkatul Mukarramah. A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) had to answer these five questions in two days.

In so happened that on the following day, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) contracted a heavy fever. In spite of his illness, he managed to answer all the questions relating to I’lm-e-Ghaib. In fact, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) presented such a detailed answer to the question of I’lm-e-Ghaib that it turned out to be a complete book on its own. He named this book, “Al Daulatul Makkiyah Bil Maadatil Ghaibiya.” The Learned Ulama of Haramain Sharifain were totally astounded when A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) presented this book to them on time. He completed this book of approximately 400 pages in only 8 hours which was also in the pure Arabic language. Subhaanallah!

 It was during A’la Hazrat’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) second visit to the Haramain Sharifain that his aspiration to see the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) became very great. Continuously reciting Durood Shareef with great veneration and humbleness in front of the Rauza-e-Shareef of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he yearned to see the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). On the first night his desire was not fulfilled and he became drowned in sadness.

It was during the second night of his visit to the doorstep of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that he was blessed with the opportunity of physically seeing the blessed personality of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). On that night, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), in a state of total submission, lifted his pen and began writing a Naath in the love of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The first line of that Naath he wrote is, “Wo Soo’e La’la Zaar Phirte hai”.

The beautiful Naath continues praising the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and ends with the following verse, “Koyi Kyu Pooch Teri Baat Raza, Tujh se Kutte Hazaar Phirte hai”. Here, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), showing his love, devotion, affection and humility for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), lowered himself to the extremes and addressed himself as the ‘dog’ of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He continued reciting that verse while he respectfully sat in front of the Rauza-e-Mubarak. At that point, he was blessed with the opportunity of seeing with his naked eyes Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) standing beside the Rauza-e-Mubarak.

“Hame Ai Raza tere Dil ka Pata Chala ba Mushkil

Darre Roza Ke Muqaabil wo hame Nazar to Aaya

Ye Na pooch kaisa Paaya, Ye Na pooch kaisa Paaya

Tuje Humd he Khuda ya, Tuje Humd he Khuda ya”

 A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) spent every moment of his life praising the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Everything he did was for the Pleasure of Almighty Allah and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

Once, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) went into the Raza Masjid in Bareilly Shareef. He was confronted by a Majzoob, Hazrat Dhoka Shah (Rahmatullah Alaih). The Majzoob said, “O Ahmad Raza! I see the Power of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) only on the earth and not in the skies.” A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), in turn, replied, “The Power of Huzoor (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is on the earth and in the skies.” The Majzoob said that he could not see this. A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “Whether you see it or not, it is still present.” The Majzoob, in a highly spiritual state, said, “Go! I have dropped him.”

At that moment, Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), who was still a child, was playing on the roof of the house. When Sayyiduna A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reached the house, his mother came up to him and said, “You should know better than to argue with Majzoobs. Look! Mustafa Raza has fallen off the roof.” A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) enquired as to whether his son had been hurt or not. When he was told that he was not injured, he said, “I am prepared to sacrifice a thousand Mustafa Razas on the Raza (pleasure) of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), but I will not allow one word to be uttered against the dignity of Rasool-e-Akram (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).”

After some time, the Majzoob returned and met Sayyiduna A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and said, “O Ahmad Raza! You are victorious. Our case was brought up before Sultaanul-Hind, Hazrat Khwaja Ghareebun Nawaaz (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). He had passed the verdict on your behalf, and Alhamdulillah, through your blessings I am now able to see the Power of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) even in the skies.”

It has been recorded that Hazrat Maulana Naeemuddeen Muradabadi (Rahmatullah Alaih) once asked A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) the reason for him being so severe upon those who disrespected Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) replied, “O Maulana! I am severe upon those people, because instead of insulting Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), they should rather make me the target for their insults. I do not have any interest in what they are calling me. At least, while they are busy insulting me, my Beloved Master, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is spared from their insults.”

The above mentioned incidents clearly highlight the following thoughts of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh): “If you desire my life, I will sacrifice it. If you desire my wealth I will give it. But, there is one thing that I will never sacrifice, and that is the love and reverence for the Beloved of Allah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).”

 It was A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) who showed the Muslim world how to respect the descendants or family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). His entire life was filled with such incidents.

Once, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was invited to the home of a certain person. In those days, the Ulama were carried in chariots as a means of transport. A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was sitting in one of these chariots that were being carried by the chariot-bearers. As they proceeded along the way, Sayyiduna A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) suddenly commanded the chariot-bearers to stop. He immediately alighted from the chariot and asked, “Who is a Sayyid from amongst you? I am receiving the scent of a Sayyid.” One of the chariot-bearer’s, who was a Sayyid, was too scared to speak. Nevertheless, when A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) further prompted that person to reveal himself, he came forward and admitted that he was a Sayyid.

With tears in his eyes, A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) fell at his feet and began asking for pardon. The Sayyid continuously asked A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) to refrain from doing so, but A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) continued asking for pardon, by saying, “Please forgive me. What would I do on the Day of Qiyaamah if the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asks me concerning this incident, and says to me that I showed disrespect to his family?”

The Sayyid readily forgave A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). But this Aashiq-e-Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was not yet satisfied. He commanded the Sayyid to sit on the chariot, and placing the chariot on his blessed shoulders, carried the Sayyid for the same distance which he had been carried! Allahu Akbar! Those who had been witnesses to this incident could not believe that the Imam of the Ahle Sunnah, the Mujaddid of Islam was carrying a chariot-bearer on his blessed shoulders. But to A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), that person that he was carrying was no ordinary chariot-bearer. It was the descendant of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)!

It has also been stated that a child, who was a Sayyid, used to live in the vicinity of Bareilly Shareef. The child used to play in the presence of A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) while A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) would be busy writing. Each time the child ran pass the door or came in the presence of A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), he would stand up in respect for that child. Even when the child passed the door ten times in a day, then A’la Hazrat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) used to stand up tens times in a day in respect for that Sayyid child.

When Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was asked about the Islamic punishment that was to be meted out to a Sayyid, he remarked, “Even though a judge is called upon to declare judgment and punishment upon a Sayyid, and the penalty that he has decreed is within the tenets of Islam, he (the judge), should not have the Niyat (intention) that he is punishing the Sayyid. Rather, he should think that a small amount of mud has smeared itself on the Sayyid’s feet, which he is merely washing away”. [Al Malfooz Shareef]