TOPOn 14th Shaban 1286/1869 when he was 13 years, 10 months and 4 days old he started giving fatawa (legal opinion) under the guidance of his father. After about 7 years in 1293/1876, he received permanent permission to issue fatawa. After the death of his father in 1297/1880, he took the duty of giving fatawa on a full time basis and issued fatawa for more than 50 years and was very cautious when issuing verdicts.
He was mindful that the extent of leniency the Sharia has given should be adhered to. If
anybody asked any question orally, he used to answer it spontaneously and never said that
he world refer to the book and reply later. His prodigious memory was very astonishing.
His biographers have given many instances how he would recall months later, what he had
read once. His fatawas are not just Islamic decrees, but a comprehensive work of research.
He has a vigorous command in Hanafi Jurisprudence.
On some occasions Muftis use to write the fatawa that he would correct and these Fatawa
would be dispatched under the name of the Mufti who has given it. On certain subjects his
writing appears to be a product of extensive research. For example, on the subject of the
size of a water-tank for ablution, al-Nahi al-Namir fi al-Mail al-Mustadir, looks like a
mathematical treatise. Likewise fatawa, Rajab al-Sabaha fi Miyahi La Yustawi Wajhu ha wa
Jawfuha fi al-Masaha, is another illustration of a mathematics treatise. About running
water and stagnant water the following fatawa is an excellent research on Physics.
Al-Diqqa wa al-Tibyan li ilm al-Riqqa wa al-Sayan deals with the construction of the
tanks, color of the water and the reflection and convergence of the suns rays deal with
the subject of Physics.
Al-Matr al-Said Ala Binti jins al-Said deals with Geology, the formation of the earth, its
kinds and age and Geography:
1. How stones are formed
2. Loosely formed bodies could not be turned into alloys by fire
3. Why mercury does not stay on fire?
4. What effect fire produces on body?
5. The cause for the melting of gold and silver
6. All minerals are formed by the mixture of mercury and sulphur
7. Sulphur is masculine and mercury is feminine
In short, the fatawa are distinguished with many features and deserve the attention of
distinguished people of learning.
An example of a question sent to Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him):
A question sent by Hafiz Abdur Rahman Rafoogar on 28 Muharram 1332 AH from Muhalla in
Banaras. "My question directed at your office, Oh! Hazrat, is that whilst visiting
the Mazaaraat of the Auliya-e-Kiraam, what should be the method of reading Fateha, and
what items (Ayaats of the Quraan) are to be recited in this Fateha?"
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) gave the following response:
Allah in the Name of the most Compassionate the Merciful. Praise be to Allah and
Salutations upon the gracious Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). My dear Hafiz
Saheb, Peace be upon You!
When one enters the Holy Shrines (Mazaaraat of Auliya-e-Kiraam) one should do so from the
foot end (i.e. the feet side of the Wali), and as far as possible one should maintain
one's presence at a distance of four hand lengths (from the foot end). Thereafter, in a
moderate voice, one should announce Salaams in the following way: "As Salaamu
Alaikum! Ya Sayyidi! Wa Rahmatullahi Wa barakaatuhu." Then, the following should be
recited:
1. Durood-e-Ghausia - thrice
2. Sura Fateha - once
3. Ayatul Kursi - once
4. Sura Ikhlas - seven times
5. Durood Ghausia - seven times
If time permits, Surah Yaseen and Surah Mulk may also be recited before supplication
(making Dua) to Almighty Allah in the following manner, "Oh! Allah! In lieu of what I
have just recited, grant me that volume of reward (Sawaab) which is worthy of Your
generosity, and not that amount which is worth of my actions, and deliver from me to Your
chosen servant (i.e. The Wali in whose Mazaar one is present) the every same
reward."
Thereafter, one should supplicate (make Dua) to Almighty Allah for any request which is
permissible by Shariat, by pleading with Almighty Allah that He grants acceptance of the
Dua with the mediation (Waseela) of the Holy Soul of the Wali. In the same manner as
before, one should announce the Salaam and return.
The task of writing fatawa had been started by his grandfather, handed over after many
years to his father, and passed on in turn to him when he was a mere lad of almost
fourteen. He had continued the work throughout his life and now he, in his turn entrusted
it to his two sons and nephew as part of his bequest. He rendered this religious service
uninterruptedly for about 50 years. Questions came from cities in India and as well as
countries as far as China, Africa and America. Questions even came from the Haramayn
(Mecca).