Rahmatullah Kairanawi

Rahmat Allâh Kairânawî or Rahmatullah Kairanvi (رحمت الله الكيراناوي)(91-1818) was a Muslim scholar and an author. He is best known for his grand work, Izhar ul-Haqq.

Background

Kairanvi was born in Kairana, India during the last years of the Mughal Empire. A full family tree that goes back to the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan, is mentioned in family sources. [http://alsawlatiyah.com/moases.htm Kairanvi Biography in Arabic] , Madrasa Saulatia website.] Part of the family wealth, large property in Kairana, was granted by Akbar the Great following a successful treatment by some of Kairvani's grandfathers. Many family members held high positions and/or were intellectuals. Kairanvi began receiving traditional Islamic education at the age of 6, memorizing the Qur'an at 12. He also learned Sharia, Arabic and Persian languages. He moved later to Delhi where he studied different disciplines including mathematics and medicine. Working as a Mufti and Sharia teacher, he founded a religious school in Kariana. He had to quit and dedicate his time to writing and refuting missionaries, whose activities were increasing at the time.

Debate with Pfander

In 1837 the Church Mission Society appointed Karl Gottlieb Pfander, described by Eugene Stock as "the greatest of all missionaries to Mohammedans", to Agra in northern India, where in 1854 he engaged in a famous public debate with leading Islamic scholars. The main Muslim debater was Kairanvi, being assisted by English-speaking Dr. Muhammad Wazîr Khân.Schirrmacher, Christine. [http://www.contra-mundum.org/schirrmacher/rationalism.html "The influence of German Biblical criticism on Muslim apologetics in the 19th century"] , "Contra Mundum", 1997. Accessed Septemper 27, 2007.]

Indian Rebellion of 1857

Following armed uprisings against the British which he personally took part in, Kairanvi had to leave all his property (auctioned later), run for his life, and board a ship in Bombay. Arriving at the port of Mocha, Yemen, it is claimed he walked to Mecca. The full journey took 2 years.

Author

Kairanvi wrote many books in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Some of his books have not been published. An Arabic list can be found on his school website. [http://alsawlatiyah.com/books.htm here]

Izhar ul-Haq (Truth Revealed)

Written originally in Arabic, this book in six volumes was translated later into Urdu, and from Urdu into a summarized English version [http://www.islam4all.com/newpage81.htm] published by [http://www.taha.co.uk/shopping/?id=39 Ta-Ha] . The book aims to respond to Christian criticism of Islam. It is the first Muslim book to use Western scholarly works in order to (try to) ascertain the errors and contradictions of the bible. The doctrine of Trinity is purportedly contested using biblical, Christian and other sources. Christine Schirrmacher says:

The Madrasa Sawlatia

Residing in Mecca, Kairanvi is famed for founding the first school there, Madrasa Saulatia. Prior to which, all teaching had been carried out at the grand mosque. [http://www.kairana.net/kairanvi-arbi.htm]

Visits to Constantinople

According to the same source, Pfander was carrying out missionary work in Turkey and claiming victory against the Muslims of India. Requesting more information from Amir of Mecca (which receives Indian pilgrims), Sultan Abdülâziz was told about Kairanvi. Kairanvi was invited to meet him in Constantinople, and all missionary activities were banned in Turkey.

tudents

Sherif Hussein and others are listed among people taught by him.

References