URS OF HAZRAT MOHAMMAD NABI RAZA SHAH (QSA)
Afzal Shah Madudi 
We are wishing everyone a blessed URS (annual commemoration of passing) of Hazrat Khawaja Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) who is lovingly known as “Dada Miyan.” His title was "Asad-e-Jahangir" (The Lion of Jahangir).
He was born in the year 1867 (1284 A.H.) in Bhainsori Sharif, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The early signs of wilayat (sainthood) in him were that he recited Bismillah to start reading the Holy Qur’an at only 4 years old, and stayed away from childhood games compared to other kids his age. He focused on the different Islamic sciences, and later joined military service. He served in the military for 10 years and resigned when he was 29 years old.
When Hazrat Shah Jahangir (II) Fakhrul Arefin Mawlana Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) came from Chittagong, Bangladesh to Calcutta, India, during one of his travels, he stayed at the home of one of his disciples (mureeds). This is where Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) met him and became his disciple (mureed).
Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah’s (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) life changed due to the spiritual attention bestowed upon him by Hazrat Fakhrul Arefin Mawlana Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu). Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) would offer prayers the entire night, and keep fast during the day. He was known to offer Fair (dawn prayer) with the wudhu (ablution) of Isha (night prayer). He performed many Chillas (spiritual seclusion for 40 days) to devote himself completely to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la for spiritual attainment. He even performed a Chillah at Mirzakhil Sharif in Bangladesh.
After only a few years, Hazrat Fakhrul Arefin (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) honored Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) with Khilafat. Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) presented himself at Darbar Ajmer Sharif, and later settled in Lucknow, India in the year 1904.
Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) had a special close connection with his spiritual guide, Hazrat Mawlana Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu). Once Hazrat Mawlana Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) said in front of his mureeds, "Ham nae sab kuch Lucknow wale Khan Saheb ko ata kardiya takhe Hindustan ke talib-e-haqq Lucknow mein Hazrat Khawaja Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah ke bargah mein hazir hokar istifaadah hasil karne mein aasani ho," (We have given everything (spiritual) to Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) so that it is easier for the students of truth in India as they can present themselves in the court of Hazrat Khawaja Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) for their spiritual goals).
Hazrat Mohammad Nabi Raza Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) was very generous towards poor people and was known to keep himself away from rich people. He said that the love and respect of our Prophet ﷺ is the highest peak of Iman (faith).
He passed away on the 24th of Rabi al-Awwal, 1329 A.H. His spiritual successor was his brother, Hazrat Khawaja Mohammad Inayath Hasan Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) who was also a very accomplished shaykh in his time.
(Ref: Ejaz-e-Jahangir, pages 1-73).
Syed afzal Ali shah Maududi
Editor cum Bureau chief.
Lucknow
