The Preface of Fatāwā: The paronomastic preface of Fatāwā al-Riđawiyyah, being the praise of Allāh táālā and prayers for blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ is composed using names of fiqh imams and books. A few lines from the two page preface is given below:[1] al-ĥamdulillāh * huwa’l fiqh al-akbar * wa’l jāmiý al-kabīr * li ziyādāti fayđih al-mabsūţ * al-durar al-ghurar * bihi al-hidāyah * wa minhu al-bidāyah * wa ilayhi ...
Read MoreAlahazrat’s magnum opus, Fatawa Ridawiyyah begins with a beautiful preface. The opening praise of Allah ta’ala and blessings upon the Prophet sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam [hamd and salawat] are both composed using the names of books, imams and appellations. This infographic lists the names, along with the authors of books mentioned, a mapped color coded translation will in sha Allah help us appreciate the eloquence and brilliance of this masterpiece. ...
Read MoreDuring the Khilāfat Movement, many Muslims were attracted to Mohandas Gandhi, and a major Sunni scholar had also approved of his proposal [to join together putting aside differences of religion]. Encouraged by the latter scholar’s joining the movement, a person came to Alahazrat with a message from Gandhi that he wished to come to Bareilly to meet and discuss some issues with him. Alahazrat replied: “What will Gandhi discuss with ...
Read MoreOnce a group of tafđīlīs[1] conspired to corner Alahazrat when he was ill and knew that he had taken a laxative and was unable to go out that day; they challenged him for a debate and he promptly accepted it. The paramedic urged him not to accept it, as it was risky to go out in this condition; Alahazrat refused to stay back and said: “I would rather die debating ...
Read MoreAlahazrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan avoided meeting princes and royalty. Shāh Mahdī Ĥasan had once invited the Nawab of Rampur,[1] who was eager to meet Alahazrat, and sent a message to Alahazrat seeking his consent; but Alahazrat refused to go. On another occasion, during a stopover at Bareilly, the Nawab sent his chamberlain with a gift of 1500 rupees, requesting an audience; Alahazrat, stood in the doorway and told the ...
Read MoreThis is a bird’s eye-view of the 30 volume fatawa; including monographs in each volume. This poster is made for A2 size (but can scale to A1 or lower, though at A4, monographs are barely readable).
Read MoreHe gave away his clothes or things without hesitation and particularly when the poor or needy asked him, he never refused. Friends and relatives gifted him expensive clothes and Alahazrat would give them away the same day or within a few days. In winter, it was his practice to distribute quilts to the poor. Once his younger brother had an expensive quilt made for him and a poor man came ...
Read MoreAlahazrat was pious, virtuous and mindful of the sunnah right from his childhood. He spent his entire life studying, researching, writing about and teaching Islām. He was exceedingly cautious and scrupulous in his affairs and strived to follow the sunnah in every word and deed. He was the epitome of simplicity and humility. His manner was modest and without affectation; many people who came from afar were astonished and could ...
Read MoreAlahazrat would not make speeches and when he did, it was usually when he was forced by others to speak. He would begin by saying: “I am a man who is incapable of preaching to my own self – how can I give counsel to others? However, if any of you wishes to inquire of a legal [sharaýī] ruling, I will answer - if I know the answer; because it ...
Read MoreThis is Alahazrat’s sanad in fiqh. Though he has many other sanads, he chose to mention this as his prominent sanad in his Fatawa Ridawiyyah. This brief infographic identifies the ulama and the dates of birth and demise, with brief biographies that were available. See the accompanying paper Annotations on Alahazrat’s Sanad in Hanafi Fiqh. This was first translated in 2005 and posted on Sunniport. Thereafter, I made this sanad as ...
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