A Forgotten Master: Understanding the Poetic World of Hazrat Hasan Raza Khan Barelvi

 

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam

8 December 2025

Kulliyat-e-Hasan preserves Hazrat Hasan Barelvi’s rich devotional poetry, blending spirituality, classical language and cultural heritage. His heartfelt naats, Sufi themes and literary finesse continue to inspire readers, scholars and admirers across generations.

Main Points:

1.    Hazrat Hasan Barelvi’s devotional poetry and spiritual themes.

2.    His Sufi background and scholarly legacy.

3.    The diverse structure of Kulliyat-e-Hasan.

4.    Literary qualities and classical influences.

5.    Cultural relevance and continued readership through modern access.

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Introduction

Kulliyat-e-Hasan is a comprehensive collection of the poetic works of Hazrat Muhammad Hasan Raza Khan Barelvi, widely known as Hasan Barelvi. He was the brother of the distinguished scholar Aala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi, the eponymous founder of the Barelvi movement. This collection is treasured for its devotional naats praising Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam, its refined Persian Qand, and a diverse range of poetic expressions shaped by Urdu, Arabic, and Persian influences.

Author Background

Hazrat Hasan Raza Khan Barelvi, honoured with titles such as Shahanshah-e-Sukhan (Emperor of Poetry) and Ustaad-e-Zaman (Teacher of the Era), was a notable scholar-poet of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Based in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh India, and deeply rooted in the Barelvi Sufi tradition, he produced poetry filled with spiritual devotion and the theme of Ishq-e-Haqiqi, the love of the Divine. Alongside his poetry, he was respected for his knowledge of jurisprudence, ascetic practice, and efforts to revive prophetic traditions. His pilgrimage to Makkah Sharif in 1325 Hijri (1907-1908) added further depth to his writing, especially in themes connected to sacred journeys and prophetic love.

Content Overview

The Kulliyat brings together several sections, including Zauq-e-Naat, Wasail-e-Bakhshish, Samsam-e-Hasan, Qand-e-Farsi, and a collection of Ghazals and poetic fragments. It showcases both the variety of his poetic forms and the depth of his ideas. His verses often centre on devotion to the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam, the beauty of the Divine, and the ecstasy of spiritual experience, written with remarkable command over language enriched by Arabic and Persian vocabulary. Today, the collection is widely accessible in digital formats, continuing to reach students, scholars, and admirers of devotional Urdu poetry.

Literary Analysis

Hazrat Hasan Barelvi’s poetic style is marked by freshness of imagery, emotional nuance, and an elegant command over classical rhetorical devices such as metaphor, simile, and antithesis. His poetry often reflects a complete surrender before God and His Messenger Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Ta'aala Alayhi Wassallam, creating a universe of humility and love. While mainstream Urdu literary histories rarely gave him due space, often due to sectarian bias, his work stands as a major contribution to Barelvi devotional literature and displays a refinement comparable to classical Urdu masters. Research on his writings also shows how his poetry fits into broader Hanafi-Sufi interpretive traditions, echoing the scholarly legacy of his family.

Cultural Significance

Kulliyat-e-Hasan preserves a rich poetic and spiritual heritage from a time marked by major reform movements in colonial India. His naats and devotional compositions played a significant role in strengthening communal devotion and identity. The lack of attention from secular critics reflects broader tensions within Urdu literary history, yet this poetry continues to flourish in religious and cultural circles, especially through online publications and oral recitations. The collection deserves renewed academic engagement for its blend of theology, poetics, and its strong stance against reformist ideologies of his era.

A Kalaam by Hazrat Hasan Barelvi

Kis Ne Sunaya Aur Sunaya To Kya Suna

Sunta Huun Aaj Tu Ne Mira Majra Suna

(Who narrated it, and even if they did, what exactly did they convey?

Today I listen as you finally hear the story of my suffering.)

Aise Se Dil Ka Haal Kahen Bhi To Kya Kahen

Jo Be-Kahe Kahe Ki Chalo Bas Suna Suna

(The state of the heart is such that words fall short.

It silently speaks on its own, urging you to simply listen.)

Vasl-e-Ada Ka Haal Sunane Se Fayeda

Allah Rahm Kijiye Bas Bas Suna Suna

(What good is there in describing the union of the rival?

May Allah show mercy; enough… just listen and spare me further pain.)

Qaasid Tire Sukuut Se Dil Be-Qaraar Hai

Kya Us Jafa-Shi'aar Ne Tujh Se Kaha Sunā

(Your silence has left my heart restless, O messenger.

What harsh words did that cruel one speak to you?)

Aakhir ‘Hasan’ Vo Ruuth Gaye Uth Ke Chal Diye

Kam-Baḳht Aur Haal-E-Dil-E-Mubtala Suna

(In the end, Hasan, they became upset and walked away.

I foolishly went on telling her the tormented tale of my heart.)

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Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is the author of 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', a bestselling research book based on the history of Sufism in Bihar.

 

URL:  https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/master-poetic-world-hazrat-raza-barelvi/d/137926

 

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