Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, a leading jurist and pivotal figure of traditional Sunni Islam has been at the centre of many misconceptions, often circulated by adversaries in an attempt to smear his reputation as an exceptional scholar and sage.
In this short article I shed some light on an objection placed on the Imam, accusing him of having benefited from Mirza Qadir Baigh Qadiani the brother of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani; the false prophet.
The formal education of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan was under the tutelage of his Grandfather Mufti Raza Ali Khan and his father Mufti Naqi Ali Khan, aside from them he also benefited from the following teachers:
Mawlana Mirza Qadir Baigh Baraylawi
Mawlana Abdul Ali Rampuri
Mawlana Abu al-Hussain Nuri
Mawlana Mirza Qadir Baigh is often falsely quoted as being the brother of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, although the latter had a brother with an identical name and both individuals were in the same era – they definitely were not the same person. Below I have compiled a biography of the actual teacher and then some evidences dispelling the confusion.
Mirza Qadir Baigh Baraylawi, born in 1243AH / 1827CE and he passed away on the 13th of October 1917CE / 1336AH at the age of 90. He was Ghulam Qadir Baigh son of Mirza Hassan Khan Baigh – He was born in Lucknow and travelled with his father to Bareilly and resided close to the Jami Masjid of Bareilly.
He was a noble scholar who kept away from disobedience and desires, he would constantly don the imamah and had a thick beard. He began his studying foremost from the scholars of Bareilly and thereafter travelled to Kolkata before returning to Bareilly. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan studied the persian work ‘Mizan wa Munsha’ib’ in Sarf to him along with other beginning works. He loved his students immensely and was a close friend of Mufti Naqi Ali khan.
The brother of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani was also named Mirza Qadir Baigh, he worked as a warden and died in the year 1883CE / 1301AH, he passed away at the age of 55. Both individuals had the same name and lived in a similar era.
Further proof:
The teacher of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan sent questions to him, seeking legal edicts and in reply to him Imam Ahmad Raza Khan wrote a treatise titled ‘Tajjali al-Yaqin bi an nabbiyana sayyid al-Murasalīn’ in the year 1305AH. Then Mawlānā Qādir Baigh sought further another legal edicts from Kalkutā in the years 1310, 1311 and 1314AH.
These legal edicts can be found in the following places of Fatāwā Razawiyyah:
- Volume 22 page 152
- Volume 11 page 45
Published by Raza Foundation, Lahore
- Volume 3 page 32
In the old edition of Fatāwā Razawiyyah
If the brother of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani passed away in the year 1301AH how then was he able to seek legal edicts years after his death?
This conundrum has been spread by Zahīr Ilāhī in his book al-Baraylawiyyah and by Dār al-iftā Dār al-Ulūm Deoband, question number 165835; therein they quoted Mutāla’ah Baraylawiyat in an attempt to link Imam Ahmad Raza Khan to the Qadiani movement. May the curse of Allah be upon the liars.
Imām Ahmad Razā Khān was at the forefront of refuting the lies of Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad Qadiani, he wrote the following books in refutation of the cursed liar:
- جزاء الله عدوه بإبانة ختم النبوة
- السوء والعقاب على المسيح الكذاب
- قهر الديان على المرتد بقاديان
- حسام الحرمين على منحر الكفر والمين
By shedding light on these misconceptions, we can foster a better understanding of the complex historical relationships that exist among religious figures and their peers, hopefully leading to a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of Islamic history.
References:
Al-Baraylawiyyah ka Ilmi Muhasabah quoting the marginalia of Malfuzat, Maktaba tul Madinah Edition. — Anas Raza Qadiri
Hayat E Ala Hazrat — page 56 Zafar ad-Din Bihari
Jahan E Ala Hazrat Volume 1 page 22, page 543 — Hanif Khan Rizwi
Ihsan Elahi Zahir Ki Kitab Al-Baraylawiyyah Ka Tahqiqi Awr Tanqidi Jaaizah page 66/67 — Abd al-Hakim Sharaf Qadiri
Haqiqat Al-Baraylawiyyah pages 46/47 (footnotes quoting ‘Al-Imam Ahmad Raza Khan wa Atharuhu fi al fiqh al hanafi by Allamah Mushtaq Ahmad Shah al-Azhari page 16/17) — Akhtar Raza Khan
Muhammad Umer Asif
27/05/2023 – 7 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1444AH