IMAM AHMED RAZA'S MUREEDS AND KHULAFA:

There were many Mureeds (Disciples) and Khulafa (Spiritually Successors) of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). They have spreaded far and wide over the Indo-Pak and also in all parts of the world. Nearly 35 are in the other parts of the world and 30 in Indo-Pak Sub-Continent. These are the leading ones:

1. Hujjatul Islam, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Muhammad Haamid Raza Khan Noori Barakaati (alaihir rahmah),
2. Ghousul-Waqt, Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind, Hadrat Mawlana Mustapha Raza Khan Noori Barakaati (alaihir rahmah),
3. Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Abdus Salaam Jabalpuri (alaihir rahmah),
4. Sadrul-Afaadil, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Na'eemuddeen Muraadabadi (alaihir rahmah),
5. Malikul Ulema, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Sayyid Zafar'uddeen Bihaari (alaihir rahmah),
6. Mubbalig-e-Azam, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Abdul Aleem Siddique (alaihir rahmah),
7. Sadrus Shariah, Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Mufti Amjad Ali (alaihir rahmah),
8. Qutbul Madinatul Munawwara, Hadrat Allamah Sheikh Zia'uddeen Ahmed Al Madani (alaihir rahmah),
9. Burhaan-e-Millat, Hadrat Allamah Burhaanul Haq (alaihir rahmah),
10. Hadrat Allamah Mawlana Mukhtar Ahmad Siddiqi Meerati (alaihir rahmah),
11. Sheikh Muhammad Abd al-Hayy (alaihir rahmah),
12. Sheikh Ahmad Khalil (alaihir rahmah),
13. Sheikh Ahmad Khudravi (alaihir rahmah),
14. Sheikh Muhammad bin Abi Bakr (alaihir rahmah),
15. Sheikh Muhammad Sa'id (alaihir rahmah),
16. Hadrat Mawlana Sayyid Ahmad Ashraf (alaihir rahmah), &
17. Hadrat Mawlana Shah Sulayman Ashraf (alaihir rahmah)

The Khulafa of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) need no introduction to the Muslim World. Their impact, influence and contribution towards the development of Islamic Culture and Islamic thinking have left its mark in the pages of history. For the sake of attaining blessings and Barakah, we will discuss, very briefly, the lives of three of the famous Khulafa of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (alaihir rahmah).

Sadrush Shariat, Hadrat Allamah Amjad Ali Razvi (alaihir rahmah): He was born in 1296 A.H. and passed away in 1367 A.H. at the age of 71 years. He is author of the internationally renowned book, "Bahare Shariat", which is in 18 volumes. This book contains a volume of information dealing with the Hanafi Law of Fiqh and answers all the questions pertaining to it. It is presently a "Handbook" of all Muslim institutions.

This Khalifa of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) was one of the Head Advisers of the Department of Islamic Deeniyat at the Aligarh Muslim University. Moulvi Sulaiman Nadwi (a non-Sunni) said the following words concerning Allamah Sadrush Shariat (alaihir rahmah), "Mawlana Amjad Ali is totally experienced in the field of teaching and he is well-versed in solving the new needs of the classroom."

Hadrat Allamah Amjad Ali (alaihir rahmah) also propagated Islam to the non-Muslims. He spent much of his time teaching.

Once in Ajmer Shareef, a very critical problem arose among the Muslims which threatened to destroy the Imaan of the innocent Muslims. The Hindu Rajput of India began introducing many new beliefs and false innovations to such an extent that those who were illiterate began following many traditions introduced by the Hindu Rajput. When Allamah Sadrush Shariat (alaihir rahmah) heard of this, he immediately went to Ajmer Shareef with few of his students. He began teaching and making the Muslims aware of the polytheism and false innovations that they were following. Through his hard efforts, the Imaan of many Muslims were saved and many non-Muslims also accepted Islam.

He was blessed with 8 sons and each one of them became great Aalims. His 2 daughters became Aalimas. One of his sons, Muhaddith-e-Kabeer, Hadrat Allamah Zia-ul-Mustapha Qadri and, another, Allamah Baha-ul-Mustapha Qadri are teachers today at their respective Darul Ulooms in India.

Allamah Sheikh Zia'uddeen Al Madani (alaihir rahmah): He was one of the most famous Khulafa of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) who lived in Madinatul Munawwara. Before coming to Madinatul Munawwara he lived for some time in Baghdad Shareef. Allamah Zia'uddeen Madani (alaihir rahmah) arrived in Madinatul Munawwara in the year 1327 A.H. Here, he made Nikah to a pious lady from a Sayed family.

He was a great Aalim, Sufi and Wali of his time. He hailed from a very illustrious family. His father was the famous Allamah Abdul Hakim Siyalkoti (alaihir rahmah), a powerful Islamic Scholar of his time, who gave the title of "Mujaddid-e-Alf Thaani" to Imam Rabbani, Imam Ahmed Sarhindi Faruqi (alaihir rahmah), the Mujaddid of the 11th Islamic Century.

With the exception of being the Khalifa of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), he also gained Khilafat from various other Akaabireen (Great Ulema). Some of them are: Hadrat Allamah Sheikh Ahmad Shams Maghribi, Sheikh Mahmoodul Maghribi, Mawlana Abdul Baaqi Farangi, and Allamah Abu Yusuf Nibhaani (radi Allahu Ta'ala anhum ajma'in).

He was a great Sheikh-e-Tariqat of his time. He spent day and night giving advice and guidance to the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He is well-known for his piety and steadfastness in Islam in Damascus, Iraq, Egypt, India, Pakistan, South Africa and many other countries. Allamah Zia'uddeen Madani (alaihir rahmah) also had many Khulafa and Mureeds throughout the world.

He left this mundane world on the 12th of August 1981 in the city of Madinatul Munawwara. His son, Hadrat Allamah Fadhl-ur Rahmaan Al Madani, is presently living in Madinatul Munawwarah and is following closely in the footsteps of his illustrious father.

Allamah Mawlana Abdul Aleem Siddiqi Meerati (alaihir rahmah): He was born in the year 1892 and passed away in the year 1954 at the age of 62. He was amongst the most famous Khulafa of A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah).

His Eminence, Hadrat Mawlana Abdul Aleem Siddiqi (alaihir rahmah) was an Islamic Scholar and a holder of a B.A. degree from the University of Meerat (India). He spoke Arabic, Urdu, Persian, English, French, Indonesian, Malaysian and Japanese languages fluently.

In 1951, he toured the world preaching and propagating Islam. He visited America, London, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe, Southern Africa, Trinidad, Philippines, Iraq, Holland, Thailand, Ceylon, France, and many other countries. As a result of his efforts, thousands of non-Muslims accepted Islam. Princess Gladys Palmer of Burinia, Merwate Tifinch, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahifl Donawa, a Minister of Trinidad and Mr F. Gengson, the Christian Minister of Ceylon, were some of the famous personalities who accepted Islam after meeting him.

His Eminence was also responsible for establishing various Masaajids and Islamic Educational Centres throughout the world. Three of the famous Masaajids are the Hanafi Masjid in Colombo, the Sultaan Masjid in Singapore and the Naagarya Masjid in Japan.

He was also the founder of various newspapers and Islamic magazines from amongst which are, "The Muslim Digest" (South Africa), "Trinidad Muslim Annual" and the "Pakistani News".

During his tour of the world, he met with various western dignitaries and had lengthy discussions with them on Islam. He met the world renowned Irish dramatist and Philosopher, George Bernard Shaw, on 17th of April 1935 during his visit to Mombassa and discussed many religious problems with him. He was very much impressed by Mawlana Abdul Aleem Siddiqi (alaihir rahmah) and said, "I have been very pleased to make the acquaintance, and it will be the most precious of all memories of this trip of mine."

His Eminence passed away in Madinatul Munawwara in 1954 and is buried in Jannatul Baqi.

Professor Dr Sayyid Jamaalud'deen, Director Zaakir Hussain Institute of Islamic Studies and Jaamia Millia, New Delhi, India, said: "Ahmad Raza Khan wrote over a thousand books and booklets which influenced many. He founded a Darul Uloom called Manzarul Islam in 1904 which was able to draw students from different regions in India. His views were sought on a wide variety of social, religious and political affairs, and he proved guidance to many, including those from established Khanqahs. Many of his Disciples and Khalifas later founded madressas which soon developed into important spiritual centres. Some took up teaching, such as Mawlana Sulaiman Ashraf, who headed the Theology Department of the M.A.O. College, Aligarh, while others swelled their ranks of the Pesh Imams in the Mosques."