Protection of Faith
In the Gardens of Salvation : New,
'A Study into Imam Ahmad Raza’s
Poetic Defence of the Sunni Creed'
[A5+] Large Hardback - 222 pages,
Written by Muhammad Nadir Raza,
by Madinah Publishing.
Now in Stock & Despatching
Description :
Delve into the uncharted realm of A'la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan's, may Allah be pleased with him, poetic genius as a valiant guardian of the Sunni creed. In this groundbreaking academic study, the intricate tapestry of his poetry comes to life, shedding light on how he courageously defended the sacred Sunni doctrine against the tumultuous waves of heresy during his era.
For the first time in the English language, this meticulously crafted work navigates A'la Hazrat's poetry with simplicity and accessibility, providing readers with a profound understanding through the lens of his own fatawa and other remarkable compositions. Embark on a journey that uncovers the rich heritage of faith, resilience, and poetic brilliance woven by A'la Hazrat, as his verses continue to resonate across time, echoing the resolute spirit of Sunni tradition.
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadiri (1856-1921 CE) of Bareilly, fondly referred to as A'la Hazrat (Grand Master) by his devotees, was a Mufti (Islamic jurist), 'Alim (scholar), Sufi (mystic), Sha'ir (poet) and master of many other disciplines who emerged as a central figure for the Ahl-e-Sunnat movement during British India. He played a pioneering role in countering the theological beliefs of other movements that emerged in this period from amongst the Muslims of India, including the Ahl-e-Hadith, Deobandi and Qadiyani movements. It is for this reason that he was regarded by his devotees as a mujaddid – a reviver of Islam that emerges each century to purify the religion back to its most pristine state and preserve the religion against heresies.
In western academia, Imam Ahmad Raza's historical significance has previously been explored scarcely and been limited to biographical accounts and references to a handful of his books and fatawa (legal verdicts). A focus on his role as a poet is almost non-existent. Imam Ahmad Raza's devotional poetry, found in the collection Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish (Gardens of Salvation), was an instrumental tool in launching his theological defence and disseminating what he considered as the true beliefs of Islam.
This is the first study that focusses on Imam Ahmad Raza's significance as a poet, the theological concepts found in his poetry and the role it played in defending against opposition from other religious movements in British India. It attempts to answer the question: What role did Imam Ahmad Raza's poetry play in a period where the Ahl-e-Sunnat's theological beliefs were challenged by other reform movements in British India?
About the Author :
Mohammad Nadir Raza is a doctoral researcher in Theology & Religion at Keble College, University of Oxford. His primary research interests lie in South Asian Islam with specific interests in the Ahl-e-Sunnat movement, the works of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan and Urdu Islamic poetry. Alongside academic study, he has undertaken traditional seminary Islamic learning with teachers in the north of England.
Table of Contents :
---Foreword, by Hafizz Dr. Ather Hussain al-Azhari
---Endorsements,
------I Mufti Asjad Raza Khan Qadiri (Bareilly al-Sharif, India),
------II Shaykh Asrar Rashid (Birmingham, United Kingdom),
------III Mawlana Abdul Hadi Qadiri Ridawi (South Africa).
---Authors Preface,
---Acknowledgements,
---Note on Transliteration,
---Introduction,
---Introduction to Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadiri of Bareilly
---Poetry in South Asian Islam and Imam Ahmad Raza’s Prominence,
---Structure of the Work and Use of Sources.
---Chapter [1]. The Development of Reformism within South Asian Islam,
------1.1 Rise and Fall of Muslim Strength in India,
------1.2 Onset of British Colonialism,
------1.3 Impact of Colonialism on Modernity and Reform,
------1.4 Origins of Reformism and the Rise of Puritanism in South Asian Islam,
------1.5 Influence of the Wahhabi Movement on Reformist Thinking.
---Chapter [2]. Imam Ahmad Raza; The Ahle Sunnat Movement & The Emergence of New Reform Movements,
------2.1 Imam Ahmad Raza and His Role Within the Ahle-Sunnat Movement,
------2.2 Key Groups of Opposition to the Ahl-e-Sunnat’s Theological Positions,
------2.3 Categorisation of Theological Disputes,
------2.4 Imam Ahmad Raza’s View of the Other Reform Movements.
---Chapter [3]. On the Primary Theological Disputes,
------3.1 Prophet Muhammad, as the Seal of Prophethood (Khatm al-Nabuwwah),
------3.2 The Possibility of Falsehood in Allah's Speech (Imkan al-Kizb),
------3.3 Prophet Muhammad, Possessing Knowledge of the Unseen (‘Ilm al-Ghayb),
---Chapter [4]. On the Secondary Theological Disputes,
------4.1 Prophet Muhammad’s, Ability as an Intercessor with Allah and a Source of Help (Wasilah),
------4.2 Prophet Muhammad, Witnessing and Observing the Matters of the World (Hadhir wa Nazir),
------4.3 Prophet Muhammad, Being Light and Human (Nur wa Bashar),
---Conclusion.
---Appendices :
------Appendix A: Bibliography,
------Appendix B: Description of Imam Ahmad Raza’s Most Notable Works,
------Appendix C: Imam Ahmad Raza’s Biographical Timeline of Key Events,
------Appendix D: Dramatis Personæ - Overview of Key Individuals in This Work,
------Appendix E: Glossary of Key Non-English Vocabulary.
Dimensions : 25 x 17cm.
