Name Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi | ||
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Died August 20, 1861, Andaman Islands | ||
Jang E Azadi Mein Allama Fazl E Haq Khairabadi ka kirdaar By Allama Abdul Mustafa Hashmati Sahab
A POETIC TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM FIGHTER ALLAMA FAZL E HAQ KHAIRABADI :AHMAD ALI BARQI AZMI
Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi (1797– 20 August 1861) was one of the main figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was a philosopher, an author, a poet, a religious scholar, but is most remembered for issuing a fatwa in favor of Jihad against the 'English' in 1857.
Contents
- Jang E Azadi Mein Allama Fazl E Haq Khairabadi ka kirdaar By Allama Abdul Mustafa Hashmati Sahab
- A POETIC TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM FIGHTER ALLAMA FAZL E HAQ KHAIRABADI AHMAD ALI BARQI AZMI
- Life
- The emphasis on Finality of Prophethood
- Personal life
- His Death
- References
Life
Khairabadi had been a chief judge in Lucknow. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 failed, he covered by an amnesty Khairabadi arrested by the British authorities on 30 January 1859 at Khairabad. He was tried and found guilty of encouraging murder and taking a leadership role in the rebellion. He had chosen to be his own counsel and defended himself. His arguments and the way he defended his case was so convincing that the presiding magistrate was writing his judgement, exonerating him, when he confessed to giving the fatwa' declaring that he could not lie. He was sentenced for life to the prison at Kalapani (Cellular Jail) on Andaman island with confiscation of his property by the Judicial Commissioner, Awadh Court. He reached Andaman on 8 October 1859 aboard the Steam Frigate "Fire Queen".
Besides being a scholar of Islamic studies and theology, he was also a literary persona, especially of Urdu, Arabic and Persian literature. More than 4,00 couplets in Arabic are attributed to him. He edited the first diwan of Mirza Ghalib on his request.
He had a phenomal memory and memorized the Quran in a little over 4 months. Ha also completed the curriculum in Arabic, Persian and religious studies by the age of thirteen.
On account of his deep knowledge and erudition he was called Allama and later was venerated as a great Sufi. He was also bestowed with the title Imam hikmat and Kalaam (The imam of logic, philosophy and literature). He was considered the final authority on issuing fatwas or religious rulings.
He possessed a great presence of mind and was very witty. There are many stories about his repartee with Mirza Ghalib and other contemporary eminent poets, writers and intellectuals.He and his son Abd al-Haq Khairabadi established Madrasa Khairabad in northern India, where many scholars got educated. He wrote Risala-e-Sauratul Hindia in Arabic language.
The emphasis on Finality of Prophethood
He wrote that, according to the Qur’an and Hadith, the prophet Muhammad is the final prophet, and there can be no other prophet or "messenger" after him. To believe that there can be another Muhammad would necessitate that Allah did something apart from what He has stated in the Qur’an, that is, that Allah has lied. Lying is a flaw and it is impossible for Allah to have a flaw. This reflects his deep insight to the political, social and religious environment which was emerging with the growing influence of Englishmen and at last capture of Delhi by them.
Personal life
One of his sons. Abdul Haque was also a leading and respected scholar and was given the title of Shamsul Ulema . His grandson is Muztar Khairabadi. Jan Nisar Akhtar is his great-grandson.
His Death
Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi died on 20 August 1861 while exiled on Andaman Island.