صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

An ocean of knowledge

Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه is well-known for many reasons, like his sainthood, miracles, love for the Prophet, his manner of inviting towards goodness, and many more things besides this. One of the most important reasons behind his fame is his knowledge of Islam.

He was born into a scholarly family. His grandfather Razā ꜤAlī Khān         رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was a great scholar, whose rank and passion for knowledge was known far-and-wide. His father Naqī ꜤAlī Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was also a scholar known for his expertise in theology and Islamic creed. Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه became another shining star in this family who spread the light of knowledge across the world.

Passion for knowledge from childhood

Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was passionate about gaining religious knowledge from his childhood. His sister said, “He never objected to studying and happily went to his lessons himself. He even wanted to study on Fridays, but our father prevented him.”^[1]

Memories of learning to read the Quran

In the first lesson taught to children when they begin learning the Quran, they are taught the Arabic alphabet, the same as the Madani Qaida of today. Then they are taught about murakkabāt (the shapes of two letters joined together). When Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه went through this process, his father, grandfather, and other members of his family were present.