present, and Muhaddith Wasi Ahmad Surti رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه requested that he address the gathering.

So, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه came to the stage and delivered a 3-hour discourse on the subject of the science of Hadith in the presence of scholars, Hadith masters and Islamic thinkers. He presented such exquisite academic points on the subject that left the senior scholars in the gathering amazed. When Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه concluded his speech, Muhaddith Wasi Ahmad Surti رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه rose immediately and kissed his hands.^[1]

2. A’la Hazrat رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه and the study of Hadith

O Devotees of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ! This was the prowess of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه in the science of Hadith from the perspective of cognitive and technical expertise, that he was amir al-Mu’minin fil Hadith, and the erudite Hadith masters of that era conferred this title upon him. Let us now look at Imam Ahmad Raza Khan’s approach to studying, memorising and conveying Ahadith.

How many Hadith books did A’la Hazrat رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه read?

Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was once asked, “Which books of Hadith have you read and taught?” Upon this, A’la Hazrat رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه at first enumerated a few books of Hadith, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasai, Sunan ibn Majah and so forth until he had mentioned the names of 31 books.  He then said, “Over 50 books (including the ones mentioned) have been a part of my learning, teaching and study.”^[2]

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! There are over 50 books that Ala Hazrat رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه learnt, taught and studied. Perhaps the thought comes to mind ‘only 50 books’.