Haqiqat al-Barilwiyyah, also known as Mir’at al-Najdiyyah bi Jawab al-Barilwiyyah, is a detailed theological response to al-Barilwiyyah of Ihsan Ilahi Zahir, a work in which the author criticised the beliefs, scholarly tradition, and religious practices associated with the Barelwi movement. Written by the distinguished scholar Shaykh Muhammad Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri al-Azhari, this work seeks to defend the theological positions of Ahl al-Sunnah as understood by the scholars of the Qadiri and Barelwi tradition.

Drawing upon the Qur’an, Hadith, classical creedal texts, and the writings of authoritative Sunni scholars, the author examines a range of disputed theological issues, including matters relating to the status of the Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings be upon him, intercession, the unseen, tawassul, and other subjects frequently discussed in modern Sunni theological discourse. Through detailed analysis and scholarly argumentation, he addresses objections raised by critics and presents the evidences relied upon by the scholars of his tradition.

Who It Is For Students and scholars of Islamic theology seeking to understand the theological positions and scholarly foundations of the Barelwi Sunni tradition.

Its Place in the Tradition An authoritative presentation and defence of the Barelwi Sunni tradition, by the foremost scholarly authority of the tradition in the modern era.

Discipline Rudud. A comprehensive work presenting and defending the theological positions of the Barelwi Sunni tradition against misrepresentation and critique.

Level Intermediate

Imam Muhammad Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri al-Azhari

Crown of the Shariʻah, 1362–1439 AH / 1943–2018 CE

Imam Muhammad Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri al-Azhari, widely known by his honorific Taj al-Shariʻah (Crown of the Shariʻah, 1362–1439 AH / 1943–2018 CE), was a distinguished Indian Hanafi scholar and Mufti who served as the leading fatwa authority within the Barelwi Sunni tradition of South Asia. The grandson of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, he studied at Al-Azhar in Egypt, combining his formation in the South Asian Hanafi tradition with Azhari scholarly credentials. He was prolific in defending the classical Sunni theological tradition against a range of contemporary challenges and produced works in jurisprudence, theology, and the refutational sciences.

Published by Al-Maqtam lil-Nashr wal-Tawziʻ.

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Haqiqat al-Barelwiyyah