Each generation of Spiritual leaders was creatively responsible both to the ideals of Islam and to the demands of the age. The Way adapts itself to the needs of the moment and the form of the Way may change according to the time and place where it manifests on the Planet, but the form/essence stays the same. His Eminence has for more than three decades lit the lamp of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan al-Qadiri (may Allah be pleased with him) all around the world. He illuminated the world with the message and practical teachings of this great genius, poet, Sufi and Reviver of Islam, and has written numerous articles on both Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Sayyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him).
The Khanqah Qadiriya Razviya is a non-profit Islamic organization that was established in Mauritius in 1965 under the spiritual guidance and supervision His Eminence. Since 1965 the caravan of love and friendship has marched ahead chanting songs of peace and mutual understanding. We have however, taken every care to keep at bay caste-ridden, ethnic minded or political groupings who have personal agendas.
What does Sunni Razvi mean? We uphold the doctrines of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and obtain our inspiration from one of our spiritual mentors, the Great Revivalist of the 14th Century, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan al-Qadiri (may Allah be pleased with him). He was admitted to the Qadiri Sufi Order and was permitted to enroll and train neophytes and he had similar authority in 13 other Sufi orders.
Our members and seekers for Truth are brethren who follow the Qadiriyya Sufi Path. The Sultan of Saints, Shaikh Sayyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) established the Tariqa, a sacred spiritual path leading to Almighty Allah through his most beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).
The members of this organization do not call themselves 'Barelwis' as Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) did not start a new sect, or movement. Today our Sunni brethren in Tariqat and sympathizers of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan al-Qadiri (may his soul be sanctified) come from diverse cultures and can be found in cities of Las Vegas, London, Cape Town, Manchester, New York, Den Haag, Karachi, and various parts of the globe.
Hazrat Sayyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah sanctify his soul) said, "Woe unto you! You claim to be a Sufi, yet you are disturbed. The Sufi is one whose inward and outward have become pure and serene through the Book of Allah and the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessing be Upon Him). As his pure serenity increases he will further emerge from the sea of his existence and give up his will, choice and volition. When someone's heart becomes pure and serene, the Prophet (Peace and blessing be Upon Him) will become and ambassador between him and his Lord, as was Gabriel. The foundation of good is following the Prophet (Peace and blessing be Upon Him) in both his word and his deed. Whenever the heart of the servant becomes pure and serene, he will see the Prophet (Peace and blessing be Upon Him), commanding him to do this and prohibiting him from doing that. He will retire with full knowledge. He will become an innermost being with no publicity, pure serenity with no disturbance.
About 1000 years ago, a great Sufi teacher complained of the misunderstandings of his times when he said: "Sufism is a name without reality, but it use to be a reality without a name". Western education and rational logical thinking indicates that we have to name everything and Prof. Carl Ernst has pointed out in his book, 'The Shambala Guide to Sufism' that the actual term Sufism was given prominence not by the classical Islamic texts, but rather by British 'Orientalists', who wanted a word that would refer to the various inner dimensions of Islam that they found attractive and congenial and that would avoid the negative stereotypes associated with Islam itself - stereotypes that were often propagated by the same Orientalists.
As we enter a new century, we think of and thank the great multitude of Sunni Razvi brethren in Tariqat in so many different parts of the globe that have helped to create the Khanqah Qadiriya Razviya. Many great disciples and friends have pooled their efforts together to cement the bond of friendship under the umbrella of the Society from diversified ethnic cultures and professional backgrounds.
