The 108th Urs-e-Ala Hazrat: A Message of Knowledge, Love and Piety
The 108th Urs-e-Ala Hazrat: A Radiant Message of Knowledge, Love and Piety
Reyasat Ali Sameer
Senior Correspondent
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Fazil-e-Barelvi (may Allah have mercy upon him) was one of the great Islamic scholars of the Indian subcontinent. His life reflected a beautiful combination of knowledge, Islamic jurisprudence, faith, spirituality, piety and profound love for the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Born in Bareilly Sharif in 1272 AH, this great scholar devoted his entire life to serving religious knowledge, safeguarding Islamic law and guiding the Muslim community. Even after his passing in 1340 AH, his intellectual and spiritual legacy has continued to spread across the world.
Today, millions of people in different parts of the world regard him as a source of religious knowledge and spiritual guidance. This devotion and love was also witnessed on the occasion of the 108th Urs-e-Mubarak of Ala Hazrat. A large number of devotees from India and abroad gathered in Bareilly Sharif, while special religious programmes, gatherings and Khatm-e-Sharif were also organised at mosques and religious centres in different parts of the world.
Who Was Ala Hazrat?
Ala Hazrat’s full name was Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadri Fazil-e-Barelvi (may Allah have mercy upon him). He was a Hanafi jurist, Mufti, scholar of Hadith, commentator of the Qur’an, theologian, Sufi and renowned poet of Naat.
His field of scholarship was not confined to Islamic jurisprudence. It extended to the Qur’an, Hadith, principles of jurisprudence, Islamic beliefs, Arabic and Persian languages, Tafsir and Tasawwuf, among many other subjects.
One of the most notable features of his scholarly work was his effort to understand the religious and social issues of his time and provide guidance on them in the light of the Qur’an, Hadith and established principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
His Standard of Scholarship
The greatest evidence of Ala Hazrat’s intellectual contribution is found in his books and treatises. His scholarly legacy consists of hundreds of works.
Among these, Fatawa-e-Razawiyya holds a particularly important position. It contains answers to numerous questions relating to worship, marriage, divorce, business and financial dealings, inheritance and various aspects of everyday life.
Another important work is Kanz-ul-Iman, his renowned Urdu translation of the Holy Qur’an. In selecting words and expressions, special attention was given not only to the meanings of the Qur’anic text but also to the reverence due to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the finer aspects of Islamic belief.
Similarly, Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, his famous collection of Naat poetry, reflects his profound love and reverence for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
The brightest aspect of Ala Hazrat’s personality was his profound love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
In his Naat poetry, this love was not merely an emotional expression; rather, it was closely connected with reverence, obedience and adherence to the Sunnah. His poetry repeatedly conveys the message that one of the greatest treasures in a Muslim’s life is love for the Noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
For Ala Hazrat, love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and adherence to Islamic law were not separate matters. True love requires a person to follow the Sunnah and the teachings of the beloved Prophet ﷺ.
His famous collection of Naat poetry, Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, continues to remind readers of this love and reverence.
His Teachings
The purpose of Ala Hazrat’s teachings was not merely to acquire knowledge but to translate knowledge into practice.
He encouraged Muslims to remain steadfast in prayer, understand the distinction between lawful and unlawful matters, maintain good character, uphold truthfulness, live with piety, follow the Sunnah and seek authentic religious knowledge.
His writings make it clear that religion is not merely a collection of rituals. It encompasses a person’s beliefs, worship, business dealings, family life, character and conduct towards society.
This is why his intellectual legacy continues to hold importance for students and researchers of Islamic studies.
His Piety
The true beauty of knowledge emerges when it is accompanied by piety and righteous action.
In Ala Hazrat’s life, adherence to Islamic law and careful observance held a central position. This aspect of his life offers an important lesson for the present age: a scholar is recognised not merely by his books and speeches, but also by his conduct, character and consciousness of Allah.
If knowledge does not bring a person closer to Allah and does not bring positive change in his character, it remains deprived of its true spirit. In Ala Hazrat’s life, we find this close relationship between knowledge and practice.
His Fatwas
Ala Hazrat occupies a distinguished position among the prominent Hanafi jurists and Muftis of the Indian subcontinent. Religious and jurisprudential questions came to him from distant places, and he answered them in the light of the Qur’an, Hadith and the principles of Hanafi jurisprudence.
His extensive collection of legal opinions is widely known as Fatawa-e-Razawiyya. It contains detailed discussions on purification, prayer, fasting, Zakat, Hajj, marriage, divorce, inheritance, financial transactions, business and various aspects of social life.
The collection demonstrates that Ala Hazrat addressed the practical religious issues faced by Muslims of his time with great seriousness.
His approach to issuing Fatwas was not limited to providing an answer; it also sought to explain the relevant Islamic principles and jurisprudential foundations behind the ruling.
A Union of Knowledge and Love
A distinctive feature of Ala Hazrat’s personality is that, in his thought, knowledge and love were not in opposition to one another; rather, they complemented each other.
On one hand stands the vast jurisprudential legacy of Fatawa-e-Razawiyya, while on the other stands Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, a celebrated collection of Naat poetry. On one side are deep discussions on Islamic beliefs and jurisprudence, and on the other is the expression of reverence and love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
This harmonious combination gives Ala Hazrat a distinctive place in the religious and intellectual history of the Indian subcontinent.
Expressions of Devotion Around the World on the 108th Urs
On the occasion of the 108th Urs-e-Mubarak of Ala Hazrat, a large number of devotees from India and abroad gathered in Bareilly Sharif. His followers travelled to Bareilly Sharif to participate in the Urs gatherings, while Khatm-e-Sharif and Isal-e-Sawab programmes were also organised at mosques and religious centres in different parts of the world.
As part of this worldwide expression of devotion, a special programme was also organised at Masjid Parewali, Ambedkar Colony, Chhatarpur, New Delhi, on the occasion of the 108th Urs of Ala Hazrat.
The programme was organised by the Al-Ittihad Islamiya Committee, which manages the mosque. The mosque’s Imam, Maulana Abdul Qayum Nizami, led the concluding prayer. On the occasion, the scholarly and religious services of Ala Hazrat (may Allah have mercy upon him) were remembered, and Isal-e-Sawab was offered for him.
Following the programme, Langar was also distributed, in which a large number of people participated. The local gathering offered a glimpse of the widespread devotion and love that people continue to hold for Ala Hazrat’s intellectual and spiritual legacy.
The True Message of the Urs
The Urs of Ala Hazrat should not be regarded merely as an annual gathering or ritual. It should be an opportunity to acquire knowledge, examine our own actions, strengthen our love for the Sunnah and improve our character.
If we claim to love Ala Hazrat, then it is important to study his books, understand his scholarly efforts, adhere to Islamic law, stay away from what is unlawful and make love for the Noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ an integral part of our lives.
At a time when society is witnessing a decline in religious knowledge, superficial understanding of religious matters and weakness in practice, the life of Ala Hazrat gives us an important message: knowledge accompanied by action, action accompanied by piety, and piety accompanied by love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ can illuminate the life of a believer.
READ MORE :
SIMS Annual Day Fest 2026 Celebrated with Grandeur at Sri Ram Centre, New Delhi
Three-Day Theatre Festival at Triveni Kala Sangam Enthralls Audience with Powerful Performances
The 108th Urs of Ala Hazrat does not merely provide an opportunity to remember a great scholar and spiritual personality. It also reminds us to study his intellectual legacy, understand his teachings and incorporate their lessons into our character and daily lives.
This is what transforms the remembrance of a great religious personality from a mere annual ritual into a means of self-reformation and spiritual improvement.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to benefit from the knowledge of Ala Hazrat, learn from his piety, and remain steadfast in true love for and adherence to the Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Ameen.
