Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan: A Life of Knowledge, Spiritual Grace and Service
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
19 November 2025
Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan was a distinguished scholar, an exceptional teacher, spiritual guide and community leader who shaped Islamic scholarship in India. His contributions in education, Sufism, leadership and literary work continue to inspire students and devotees across the subcontinent.
Main Points:
1. Born in 1907 at Astana Aaliya Razviya, Bareilly Sharif, he belonged to the Imam Ahmad Raza Khan family.
2. Educated by leading scholars of Bareilly, Rampur and Azamgarh, he later became a renowned teacher whose method became known as “Tadris-e-Taqaddus Ali”.
3. Served as Deputy Administrator and later Mohtamim of Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam.
4. A spiritual successor in multiple Sufi orders, he established Jamia Rashidia in Pir Jo Goth and authored valuable translations such as Mukashifat-ul-Quloob.
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Hazrat Allama Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan was born in the month of Rajab 1325 Hijri, corresponding to 1907 CE, at the blessed Astana Aaliya Razviya in Mohalla Saudagiran, Bareilly Sharif. His historical name “Taqaddus Ali” was bestowed upon him by Hazrat Allama Hasan Raza Khan, and he became widely known by this name throughout his life. He belonged to a respected family and was the eldest among his three brothers, Qutb-e-Lahore Hazrat Mufti Ejaz Wali (former Sheikh-ul-Hadith, Jamia Naeemia, Lahore), Abdul Ali Khan, Muqaddas Ali Khan, and three sisters. His mother passed away in 1377 Hijri (1957 CE), while his father, Al-Haj Sardar Wali Khan, passed away in 1390 Hijri (1970 CE).
Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan shared a deeply rooted familial and spiritual connection with Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Fazl-e-Barelvi. Ala Hazrat was the paternal cousin of his father and his maternal grandfather. Hujjat-ul-Islam Mufti Hamid Raza Khan was both his maternal uncle and later his father-in-law. This noble lineage placed him firmly within the scholarly and spiritual heritage of the Razvi dynasty.
His early education took place under eminent scholars such as Hazrat Maulana Khalilur Rahman Bihari, Hazrat Maulana Zahoor Hussain Farooqi Mujaddidi, who served as the head instructor at Madarsa Aaliya, Rampur, and at Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam, Bareilly Sharif, as well as from his son Hazrat Maulana Noorul Hussain Rampuri. He studied the intermediate curriculum of Dars-e-Nizami under Hazrat Allama Hasnain Raza Khan. His advanced studies were completed under towering personalities like Hazrat Maulana Abdul Mannan, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Aziz Khan, and the esteemed scholar Hazrat Allama Mufti Amjad Ali Azmi. His final and most comprehensive training came under Hujjat-ul-Islam Mufti Hamid Raza Khan, who taught him the preface of Raddul Muhtar and trained him extensively in the art of issuing fatwas.
In 1345 Hijri (1927 CE), he received his Sanad of graduation along with the traditional Dastarbandi at Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam Hazrat Allama Mufti Sardar Ahmad Gurdaspuri, learnt this Khutba from him. His unique method of instruction became famous as “Tadris-e-Taqaddus Ali.”
Even during his student days, he was appointed the Deputy Administrator of Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam, Bareilly Sharif. Under his supervision, turban-tying ceremonies of many distinguished scholars took place, including that of Shaikh-ul-Quran Hazrat Allama Abdul Ghafoor Hazarvi. At Allahabad University he continued the system of examinations for Oriental Studies, and he served as an examiner for Jamia Nizamia, Hyderabad Deccan, and Allahabad University.
Following his graduation, he began teaching at Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam and trained countless scholars who later served across the subcontinent. After the passing of Hujjat-ul-Islam Mufti Hamid Raza Khan, he was appointed Mohtamim (head) of the institution. After twenty-five years of teaching in Bareilly Sharif, he migrated to Pakistan in 1371 Hijri (1951 CE). He was also responsible for arranging the Urs and Mushairas of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Muhaddis-e-Barelvi, and Hujjat-ul-Islam Mufti Hamid Raza Khan during his stay in Bareilly.
In 1372 Hijri (1952 CE), he founded Madarsa Qadiria in Pir Jo Goth, district Khairpur, Pakistan, at a time when the Pir Sahib of the Dargah was living in exile in London. In 1952 CE Pir Sahib returned and his coronation took place, followed by the inauguration of Jamia Rashidia on 5 May 1952. Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan became the first Sheikh-ul-Jamia and also served as the personal teacher of Pir Sahib. From that point onwards he taught regularly at Jamia Rashidia, and hundreds of his students went on to serve in mosques, madrasas, and especially in various branches of Jamia Rashidia. He also fulfilled the responsibilities of khateeb and imam at Madina Masjid, Pir Jo Goth, for over twenty years.
He played an active role in India’s Freedom Movement. He participated in the Moradabad Sunni Conference, while his younger brother Hazrat Allama Mufti Ejaz Wali Khan Razvi participated in the Benaras Sunni Conference. Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan worked alongside other scholars in the Movement for the Finality of Prophethood. At the Sunni Conference in Toba Tek Singh, Darul Islam, he represented Pir Sahib Pagarah and conveyed his message.
Some of his writings remained in India, while after migrating to Pakistan he translated several classical works. His translation of “Mukashifat-ul-Quloob” has been published and widely appreciated.
In 1322 Hijri (1904 CE), Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan entered the spiritual path by taking bay‘at at the hands of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan. He was honoured with khilafat in all major Sufi orders. Hujjat-ul-Islam Hazrat Mufti Hamid Raza Khan granted him special permissions in the Qadriya spiritual practices and honoured him with the cloak of khilafat. He also narrated to him the chain of Hadith Musafi, which reaches the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through seven links. He also received Khilafat from Mufti-e-Azam Hind Mustafa Raza Khan Barelvi.
In 1948 CE, he visited Baghdad Sharif, Kazimiyah Sharif, Karbala-e-Mualla, and Najaf Ashraf. In 1949 CE, he performed his first Hajj from India, the second in 1968 CE from Pakistan, and the third in 1972 CE. From 1975 CE onwards, he continuously visited Umrah and Zeyarat every Ramadan.
He married the daughter of Hujjat-ul-Islam Hazrat Mufti Hamid Raza Khan. He was blessed with several children, though most of them passed away in early childhood. Among his sons were Mussaddiq Ali Khan, Muhammad Akhtar Hamid Khan, and Munawwar Ali Khan, who passed away at the age of twenty.
Hazrat Mufti Taqaddus Ali Khan passed away on Monday, 22 February, 3 Rajab 1408 Hijri, corresponding to 1988 CE. His blessed shrine in Pakistan remains a place of spirituality and reverence, visited by people seeking blessings and inspiration from his noble legacy.
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A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/mufti-taqaddus-spiritual-grace/d/137690
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