Overview

Huzoor Mufti Azam-e-Hind Imam Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri Barkati May Allah have mercy on him was among the greatest jurists, spiritual guides and defenders of Ahl-e-Sunnat in the modern era. He served as the Grand Mufti of India and was widely recognized as the foremost Hanafi Mufti of the Indian subcontinent after Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan. He was born in the blessed city of Bareilly Sharif and raised in the noble household of Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat Ala Hazrat, surrounded by faith, knowledge and piety from an early age. He is counted among the greatest jurists and spiritual leaders of the Qadiriyyah Barkatiyyah Razawiyyah order who were known for their deep knowledge, profound wisdom, humility and unwavering defense of Ahl-e-Sunnat. For over seven decades, he illuminated the path of sacred knowledge, issued Fatwas, trained scholars and preserved the legacy of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan. According to the attached document, he was the maternal grandfather of Huzoor Tajush Shariah Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari Qadri and it was Mufti Azam-e-Hind who not only granted Khilafat to his grandson but also appointed him as his Ja Nasheen, entrusting him with both religious and spiritual leadership.

Full Name

Imam Mustafa Raza Khan bin Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadri Barkati.

Titles

Mufti Azam-e-Hind meaning Grand Mufti of India. Taaj-ul-Muftiyeen meaning Crown of the Muftis. Shams-ul-Fuqaha meaning Sun of the Jurists. Ghous-ul-Waqt meaning Spiritual Helper of the Era. Azhari Miyan.

Date of Birth

22 Shawwal 1310 AH corresponding to 1892 or 1893 CE.

Birthplace

Bareilly Sharif, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Lineage

Beloved younger son of Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat, Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadri Baraylvi May Allah have mercy on him.

Early Education

Received his primary education under the supervision of his illustrious father, Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan.

Islamic Education

He studied and mastered Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Usool-ul-Fiqh, Arabic Grammar, Logic known as Mantiq, Philosophy and Literature under eminent scholars of Bareilly and especially under the direct tutelage of Ala Hazrat.

Completion of Dars-e-Nizami

He completed the traditional Islamic curriculum with distinction at a young age and became a renowned scholar and Mufti.

Permission of Fatwa Ifta

He received authorization in Fatwa writing directly from Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan and from senior scholars and jurists of his era.

Fatwa Writing Services

He rendered more than 70 years of service in Ifta. He issued hundreds of thousands of Fatwas. He was regarded as the foremost Hanafi Mufti of the Indian subcontinent after Ala Hazrat. His religious verdicts were sought from India, Pakistan, Africa, Europe, America and the Arab world.

Teaching Services

He taught Hadith, Fiqh and various Islamic sciences for decades. He trained hundreds of scholars and Muftis. He presided over religious gatherings and scholarly conferences throughout his life.

Major Written Books and Literary Contributions

Huzoor Mufti Azam-e-Hind was a prolific author whose writings covered Fiqh, theology, spirituality and contemporary issues. His most famous and comprehensive work is Fatawa Mustafa Razawiyyah, which is a multi-volume collection of his Fatwas on a vast range of religious, social and judicial matters. This collection remains a primary reference for Hanafi Muftis and scholars across the world. Another significant work is Al-Malfooz, which contains his sayings, discourses and spiritual teachings compiled by his close disciples. It serves as a valuable guide for seekers of Tasawwuf and Islamic spirituality. He also wrote extensive Hashiyah meaning annotations and commentaries on numerous classical texts of Hanafi Fiqh, Hadith and Arabic grammar. These annotations demonstrate his deep mastery over the foundational works of Islamic jurisprudence. In addition to these major works, he produced hundreds of researched Fatwas and scholarly verdicts on contemporary issues such as banking, medical ethics, family law, inheritance and modern social challenges. These were published as separate treatises and articles. He also authored numerous religious articles, letters and epistles responding to queries from scholars and common Muslims alike. Many of these were compiled and published posthumously by his students and successors. His literary contributions also include defenses of Ahl-e-Sunnat creed, particularly in response to deviations and misconceptions prevalent in his time. He wrote extensively to preserve and promote the teachings of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan.

Preservation of Ala Hazrats Legacy

He played a pivotal role in preserving and publishing the works of Ala Hazrat. He supervised the dissemination of Maslak-e-Ala Hazrat throughout the world. He guided scholars and institutions associated with the Ahl-e-Sunnat movement.

Religious Leadership

He became the undisputed spiritual and scholarly leader of millions of Sunni Muslims after the demise of Hujjat-ul-Islam Maulana Hamid Raza Khan and Sadrush Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi. He served as the Grand Mufti of India for several decades.

International Influence

His spiritual disciples and students spread across India, Pakistan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Mauritius, East Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Prominent Khulafa and Students

Among his prominent Khulafa and students were Huzoor Tajush Shariah Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari, Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri and Mufti-e-Azam South Africa Hazrat Maulana Abul Hameed Owaisi Qadri. He trained hundreds of scholars, Muftis and Mashaikh across the world.

Sanad-e-Khilafat

He received Khilafat and spiritual authorization from Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan and from eminent Mashaikh of the Qadiriyyah Barkatiyyah Razawiyyah Silsilah.

Spiritual Services

He guided countless seekers on the path of Tasawwuf. Thousands entered the Qadiriyyah Silsilah through his hands. He was renowned for his humility, piety, devotion and adherence to the Sunnah.

Recognition

He was revered throughout the Muslim world as Mufti Azam-e-Hind. He was accepted as one of the greatest Hanafi jurists of the twentieth century and was recognized for his unparalleled mastery in Fiqh and Fatwa.

Public Guidance

He answered religious questions from across the globe. He addressed major religious conferences and gatherings. He served as a source of guidance for scholars and common Muslims alike.

Wisaal Passing Away

14 Muharram 1402 AH corresponding to 12 November 1981. Bareilly Sharif, India.

Mazaar Sharif

Darbar-e-Aaliya Razawiyyah, Bareilly Sharif, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Legacy

Huzoor Mufti Azam-e-Hind Imam Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri Barkati was among the greatest jurists, spiritual guides and defenders of Ahl-e-Sunnat in the modern era. For over seven decades, he illuminated the path of sacred knowledge, issued Fatwas, trained scholars and preserved the legacy of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan. His teachings, verdicts and spiritual influence continue to benefit Muslims throughout the world. His books, especially Fatawa Mustafa Razawiyyah and Al-Malfooz, remain authoritative references in Hanafi Fiqh and Tasawwuf. As clearly mentioned in the attached document about Huzoor Tajush Shariah, Mufti Azam-e-Hind was the maternal grandfather who granted Khilafat to his grandson and appointed him as his Ja Nasheen, entrusting him with both religious and spiritual leadership. His appointment of Huzoor Tajush Shariah as his true successor continued the tradition established by Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan, ensuring that the most knowledgeable Aalim of the country would be appointed as the Chief Justice by the Will of Allah.