Tribute to Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza on Urs-e-Razvi: Building Modern Sciences alongside Islamic Sciences Is Indispensable in Islamic Madrasas
By
Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
5 October
2021
Ala
Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza, One of the Greatest Sunni Revivalists of Islam, Was a
Master of both Modern And Islamic Sciences
Main
Points
1.
It is a tremendous pity that a climate of science and reason has yet to
be established in Islamic Madrasas.
2.
We have yet to settle a number of contemporary concerns relating to our
lack of progress in Science, Technology, Islamic jurisprudence, and
spirituality.
3.
Imam Ahmed Raza has made numerous contributions to the nature of light
and physical optics, including the wave and the corpuscular theory of light,
reversal image, and ultrasonic machine construction.
4.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a Pakistani nuclear physicist, admires Imam Ahmad
Raza Barelvi's scientific studies and occasionally voices his thoughts.
5.
Dr. Barbara D. Metcalf,
Department of History, Barkley University, United States of America says, “He
[Imam Ahmad Raza] was outstanding from the very beginning on account of his
extraordinary intelligence. He enjoyed a divine gift of deep insight in Mathematics”.
6.
Ala Hazrat’s credibility in the eyes of the eminent scholars of Deoband
and Ahl-e-Hadith.
-----
The Urs-e-Razvi, named after India's renowned
Islamic reformer, Imam Ahmad Raza Barelvi, also known as Ala Hazrat, was
commemorated on October 4, 2021. On this occasion, I felt compelled to pay
tribute to this great reformer. Then I planned to write an article about his
scientific and intellectual skills, instilling in Muslims a sense that we have
not yet done enough to further this great reformer’s intellectual legacy. Even
his hundreds of volumes have remained unpublished. Although there are millions
of Muslims in India who follow Ala Hazrat today, just a few profits from his
knowledge and insight. Today, theological and jurisprudential skills are
dwindling in Islamic Madrasas, and it is a tremendous pity that a climate of
science and reason has yet to be established in these institutions. Students at
Madrasas today must be able to master not only religious but also scientific
education. Madrasas, on the other hand, are losing interest in intellectual and
spiritual studies. However, we are lacking in inventiveness, and as a result,
we are unable to fix the newly rising problems related to Muslim issues. The
majority of Muslims are in an emotional state, which might be irrational or
senseless at times. Our intellectual identity is eroding at an increasingly
rapid rate. We have yet to settle a number of contemporary concerns relating to
our lack of progress in Science, Technology, Islamic jurisprudence, and
spirituality. Let us take a brief glance at Ala Hazrat's knowledge on the
occasion of this Urs-e-Rizvi, and then spark in us the spirit of building
Modern Sciences alongside Islamic Sciences.
........
Imam Ahmad
Raza, also known as Ala Hazrat, is regarded as one of Islam's greatest
Sufi-Sunni revivalists. The jurist, who was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, in
North India, belongs to the Hanafi school of thought. More than fifty
disciplines of knowledge have been identified by academicians, both Muslim and
non-Muslim, in his writings. “Such a genius and erudite jurist did not emerge,”
Dr. Allama Iqbal, the renowned poet of the East, said.
Ala Hazrat
Imam Ahmad Raza excelled in a number of fields and was initiated into the
majority of them by his father. Translations of the Quran, Hadith, and Hadith
principles; Islamic fiqh of all four schools—Maliki, Hanbali, Hanafi, and
Shafai; fiqh principles; dialectics; Quran commentaries; principles of belief,
debate, and rhetoric; Arabic syntax; rhetoric devices; sciences dealing with
rhetoric; language and metaphors; logic; philosophy; politics; Physics,
Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Parapsychology, Phonetics and Phonology,
Engineering and Technology, Astronomy and Astrology, Theory of atomic
Technology, Basic mechanism of telecommunication system, Mathematics, Algebra,
Geometry (especially spherical Trigonometry), Topology, Hydrodynamics, and
Applied Chemistry.
This fact
cannot be denied that such versatility and intensity of knowledge is found
neither in his contemporaries nor after him because at the same time he was a
translator of Holy Quran (Kunzul Iman) commentator, Muhaddith, Jurist (Faqih),
reformer of Islam (Mujaddid), great saint, an expert in Sufi teachings,
Astronomer, Astrologist, Philosopher, Great poet, Economist, Educationist,
Psychologist, Politian, Scientist but his distinctive quality is that he was a
staunch follower of Sharia in thought and action and a devotee of the Holy
Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to the deepest chambers of his heart. Undoubtedly,
such types of leading figures of very high standing, born rarely in the nation.
In his
treatise “Fauz-i-Mubin” Imam Ahmad Raza has not only proved that earth is
static with 105 argumentations in the light of Modern Physics but also
criticized the ideas of renowned scientists like Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler,
Newton, and Albert Einstein. In his book “Fauz-i-Mubin” Imam Ahmad Raza has
discussed various scientific spheres of knowledge including Physics, Chemistry,
Geology, Astronomy and Astrology, Mathematics, Logarithm covering the topics of
Planetary motion in the orbits and the Physical mechanics like attractive and
repulsive forces, Centripetal force, Centrifugal force, friction coefficient,
projectile motion, relative velocity, circular speed, buoyant force, density
and pressure, the structure of the earth, theory of tides and distance from the
sun, along with dozens of geometric diagram representations with Algebraic,
logarithmic and mathematical calculations.
Collision,
harmonic motion, sound theory, wave theory with collision laws, and
telecommunication systems are discussed in his work Al-Kashfu Shāfiyā Ĥukmi
Fūnūjrāfiya [Satisfactory clarification concerning ruling on phonograph].
In his book
"Ad Diqqatu wal Tibyaan li Ilmil Riqqati wal Sailan," published in
1915, he discusses fluid dynamics, viscosity, Stoke's law, and Bernoulli's
Equation. This book covers 306 different types of water as well as the
classification of various solutions.
Imam Ahmed
Raza is a renowned Muslim scientific theologian who has made numerous
contributions to the nature of light and physical optics, including the wave
and corpuscular theory of light, reversal image, and ultrasonic machine
construction. The books that go into these themes in detail are named as “Al
Samsaam Ala Mushakkiki fi Ayati Uloomil Arhaam 1896”, “Al Kalimatul Mulhimah
fil Hikmatil Muhkamah LiWihaal Falsafa til Mashamah 1919”.
His work
“Maqami al Hadeed Ala Khaddil Mantaq il Jadeed” examines gastrointestinal
physiology, addressing themes such as food ingestion, stomach storage, and
digestion, lubricating and protecting characteristics of the GIT, Chyme, Small
intestine digestion, and absorption, hepatic circulation, hepatic metabolic
processes, liver blood flow, the portal venous system, bile formation.
In his book
“Al Samsaam Ala Mushakkiki fi Ayati Uloomil Arhaam 1896,” he discusses medical
embryology.
The book
"Kashful Illat An Simtil Qibla" covers the direction of Qibla from
deep calculations using pure mathematics applications.
Dr. Barbara
D. Metcalf, Department of History, Barkley University, United States of America
says, “He [Imam Ahmad Raza] was outstanding from the very beginning on account
of his extraordinary intelligence. He enjoyed a divine gift of deep insight in
Mathematics”.
Dr. Abdul
Qadeer Khan, a Pakistani nuclear physicist, admires Imam Ahmad Raza Barelvi's
scientific studies and occasionally voices his thoughts. In honor of his
intellectual contributions, he authored a regular column in Roznama-e-Jang
titled "Faqidul Misaal Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi."
He writes: “Many
treatises on diverse scientific themes have been written by Hazrat Maulana
Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi. He has covered topics such as human creation,
biotechnology and genetics, ultrasound machine principles, Piezoelectricity,
telecommunications, flood dynamics, topology, the rotation of the moon and sun,
metrology, metal definitions, coral (description of coral structure),
earthquake and tide causes, and so on. Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi was, in
fact, a brilliant jurist, mufti, Muhaddith, teacher, and writer of his day.”
[Roznama-e-Jang, 5 December, 2016]
Imam Ahmad
Raza's command of the reasoning sciences, like his understanding of the Quran
and mastery of fiqh, was unparalleled. In 1911, the daily Dabdabae- Sikandari
published a quadrangular geometry problem, coupled with an appeal to
mathematicians from Dr. Ziauddin, a distinguished mathematician who would
eventually become the vice-chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University. Ala
Hazrat not only answered the problem, but he also posed a new question, which
he published alongside his solution. Dr. Ziauddin was taken aback by the fact
that a Maulvi had solved his problem and responded with a new query. Meanwhile,
Dr. Ziauddin answered Ahmad Raza's question but was even more surprised when
the latter pointed out some flaws in the vice-chancellor’s response.
Ahmad Raza
stood out from the start because of his great brilliance, according to Dr.
Barbara Metcalf, historian, and professor at the University of California,
Berkeley. He was a towering figure admired for his exceptional memory, mental
agility, and intellectual aptitude, and venerated as a Mujaddid and Sheikh...
he tried, above all, to protect what he viewed as correct practice and to make
religion relevant in the personal lives of Muslims of his time. When it comes
to Hadith and Hadith principles, Ahmad Raza was a guru who knew the names and
even the backstories of practically every Hadith narrator. He was able to
describe the several types of Hadith, their benefits, and the reasons for them.
Maulana
Abul ala Maududi said, “I have immense regard in my heart for Imam Ahmad Raza
Khan’s intellect and rank. Even his opponents are forced to admit his insight
in the realm of din knowledge”.
Ashraf Ali
Thanvi, a famous Deobandi scholar said, “We have immense regard for Ahmad Raza
Khan, He refers to us as kafirs, but only because of his love for the Prophet
and not for any other reason.”
Maulana
Anwar Shah Kashmiri (1875-1933) writes, “When writing a commentary on Tirmidhi
and other hadith books, I wanted to look at the specifics of the hadiths. As a
result, I read Shia academics, Ahl-e-Hadith scholars, and Deobandis scholars'
literature. The mind, on the other hand, was unsatisfied. I eventually saw
Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan's works on the advice of a friend, and my heart was
content that I could now confidently write hadith interpretations. Indeed, as
the premier Barelvi scholar, Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan's writings are eloquent
and strong, demonstrating that Maulana Ahmad Raza is a renowned religious
scholar and jurist.” (Risala Hadi Deoband, p. 7).
Maulana
Shibli Numani (1857-1914) writes, “Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan Sahib Barelvi is a
devout Muslim who follows a rigorous religious code. Despite this, Maulana
Sahib's tree of knowledge is so vast that all of the religious academics pale
in comparison to Maulana Ahmad Raza Sahib.” (Risala Nadwa, October 1994, p.17)
Maulana
Abul Hasan Nadwi (1914-1999) writes, “His (Maulana Ahmad Raza's) grasp of
Hanafi law and its details is unparalleled in this age.” (Nuzhatul Khawatir,
8/41)
Maulvi
Muinuddin Nadwi (1903-1974) writes, “One of the authors of knowledge and vision
was the late Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan. His knowledge of religious disciplines,
particularly law and hadith, was broad and thorough. The meticulousness and
devotion with which Maulana composed the solutions to the experts' questions
demonstrate his thoroughness, scientific knowledge, jurisprudential wisdom, and
brilliance. All his opponents should pay attention to his intelligent fatwas.”
(Safaid w Siyaah, p.114)
The
preceding lines demonstrate Imam Ahmad Raza Fazil Barelvi's credibility in the
eyes of the eminent scholars of Deoband and Ahl-e-Hadith. His outstanding
personality and scholarly services impressed everyone, whether he was an
opponent or a supporter. However, alas! That outstanding donor to the Islamic
community was a victim of the disasters of the day. As part of a planned
scheme, unnecessary efforts were made to disguise his religious and ideal
authoritative services beneath the guise of anonymity. Rather than recognizing
his achievements, a campaign was launched to portray him as a divisive figure.
The Fatawa
Razviyya, a compendium of his Fatawa, attests to the fact that ‘Ala Hazrat was
an encyclopaedia of Islam. Let me bring your attention to one particular
instance that demonstrates Ala Hazrat's superior intelligence and God-gifted
abilities. After his initial visit to the Kabah, ‘Ala Hazrat gained a lot of
attention in the Arab world, and when he went on his next pilgrimage to Makkah,
the Ulama from the Hijaz region of Arabia were eager to meet him. When Ahmad
Raza was busy seeing various ulama of the Haramain after completing the haj,
Shaikh Saleh Kamal, a famous theologian in Mecca, approached him with a set of
five questions on Ilm-ul-Ghaib, or unknown knowledge, which he believed the
Prophet was gifted with.
These
inquiries were made on behalf of Arabia's Wahhabi ulama. A'la Hazrat had two
days to prepare his answers, according to Shaikh Kamal. Despite a high
temperature caused by his chronic kidney disease and the exertions he had
endured during the hajj, Ahmad Raza accepted the challenge. The Meccan Ulama
was left dumbfounded by his responses, which were so precise, comprehensive,
unassailable, and compelling. The replies totaled 400 pages, and the Ulama were
taken aback by his prolific pen when they learned he had written them in just
eight hours.
Ahmad
Raza's interactions with Hijaz's ulama were characterized by the Wahhabis'
attempts to discredit him. They attempted to persuade Muhammad Ratib Pasha, the
governor of Mecca, that an Indian alim was among them, plotting to pervert
Muslims' faith.
The Hijaz
ulama, on the other hand, were convinced of Ahmad Raza's piety, sincerity, and
extensive knowledge. Soon after, a Deobandi alim named Khalil Ahmad Ambethi
sought to placate Ahmad Raza by presenting him with a tray full of gold coins.
Muslims in numerous nations have a ritual of offering gold coins as a sign of
respect. Khalil Ahmad was attempting to kill two birds with one stone. On the
one hand, he sought to soften Ahmad Raza's stance toward Deobandis, and on the
other, he wanted to show everyone that he had been recognized as a supporter by
Ahmad Raza. Khalil Ahmad's strategy, however, backfired. The offering was
turned down by Imam Ahmad Raza.
Treatise
on Human Rights
Imam Ahmed
Raza (May Allah be pleased with him) illuminated us with the idea of defending
human rights in his book "Aajabul Imdad fi Mukafferati Huqooq al-Ibad"
(Huquq al-Ibad). He claims that Allah Almighty will not forgive a breach of
human rights (Huquq al-Ibad) unless the oppressed person himself forgives it,
citing the Holy Qur'an and Hadith. He further stated that if Allah Almighty so
desires, He may forgive any transgression relating to Allah's rights
(Huququl-Allah), except polytheism (shirk).
According
to Islam, human rights include the rights to life, security, justice, equality,
and the protection of innocent civilians from oppression, terrorism, violence,
and aggression, as well as the right to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual
harmony, love for the motherland, and religious freedom, among others.
Caution
in Takfir
It is
unjust to make fast judgments based on rumors about a person. Especially when
it comes to God-given personalities like Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza, who
possessed a mastery over more than fifty disciplines of knowledge and answered
the pressing issues of his time in an unmistakable intellectual manner.
However, some people accuse him of Takfirism without caring to look into his
actual theological studies and true Islamic teachings that bring one's soul to
the holy chambers, Allah's true oneness, and the prophet Muhammad's true
dignity (peace be upon him).
The
following reports of Ala Hazrat show that he exercised tremendous caution in
matters of Takfir, never allowing his widely accepted research to contradict
Islam's core sources on the subject.
In his famous
book "Subhan as Subuh An Aibi Kadhibi Maqbooh," he theologically and
scholarly refuted Maulvi Ismail Dehlvi's arguments, in which he labeled the
majority of mainstream Muslims' practices as Kufr and Shirk and disrespected
Allah Almighty and his beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his
writings. Despite this, Maulvi Ismail Dehlvi was not declared a Kaafir by Ala
Hazrat. “We do not make any comment on Maulvi Ismail Dehlvi’s Kufr,” Ala Hazrat
declares in the same book. “This is simply because our beloved prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) forbade declaring the Ahle Qibla Kaafir. It may only be
able to label someone a Kaafir when his kufr becomes as apparent as the sun and
there is no trace that he is a Muslim.”
In another
well-known book, "Al Kaukabatush Sha'haabiya," he refuted the ideas
of Maulvi Islamil Dehlvi and some of his followers, instilling true dignity and
love for the prophet Muhammad in the hearts of believers (peace be upon him).
Despite this, Ala Hazrat stated, "Declaring a person a Kafir and
restraining one's tongue is an act of extreme prudence and analysis in our
opinion (the opinion of Islam)."
“There is
undoubtedly a significant distinction between adopting Kufr words and labeling
a person a Kaafir,” Ala Hazrat adds. “We must exercise utmost caution in this
regard. We should keep our mouths shut. If there is even a remote chance that
the person is still a Muslim, we should be wary of labelling them a Kafir.”
(Sallu al-Suyoofil al-Hindiyya)
In his
works, Ala Hazrat documented 75 kufr assertions made by Maulvi Ismael Dehlvi.
He did not, however, pronounce Maulvi Ismail Dehlvi to be a Kafir. He simply
observed Kaffe Lisan (Silence) while the situation unfolded. He says, “Scholars
are still debating the difference between luzum (necessitating) and iltizam
(becoming necessary). It's one thing for a remark to be Kufr, but it's quite
another to declare someone a kafir because of that statement.” He adds,
“Cautious scholars have preferred to refrain from Takfir of this man,” (see Al-Kawkabatu'sh
Shihabiyyah fi Kufriyyati Abi'l Wahabiyyah).
It is
impossible to convey their varied intellectual perspectives and opinions in
this short piece. If we want to equip our Madrasas with modern sciences in
addition to Islamic sciences, this is ample motivation.
-----
A
regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a
Classical Islamic scholar and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism