Bareilly home of Barelvi Sect of Islam

While roaming in Bareilly , I come to know that Bareilly is home of  Barelvi Sect of Islam which is followed by at least two third of Muslim population in India. It’s shrine called Dargah Mohammad Ahmed Raza Barelvi and is located  in one of the  alleys of Bhoor area of old city . I visited it yesterday. 

Dargah is one of the most visited shrines in the Indian subcontinent that not only attracts Desi followers  but also from many other parts of world.

Mohammad Ahmed Raza Barelvi fondly called as Aala Hazrat was born in Mohalla Sodagaran . At the age of 22, he became a disciple of Hazrat Shah Ale Rasool Marhravi. His mentor granted him the Khilafah permission of several Sufi sects. This means he was allowed to have his set of disciples and followers and set up his mutts. Soon he gained followers from across the Indian subcontinent and the number kept adding through his descendants.

The Barelvi movement has spread its wings not only  in India, but also in  Nepal, Africa, Latin American countries,  Europe and America and present day Bangladesh and Pakistan. In the  beginning the movement was popular mainly in rural areas but  at present it has made inroads into the urban educated classes. Recently with terrorism and extremism rising all over the world, Muslims with an inclination to Sufi ideology are been seen as moderates and are generally called the Sufis.

 The legacy of  Ala Hazrat is presently being carried forward by his grandson Mufti Asjad Raza Khan Barelvi.

There is another sect or school of thoughts in Islam called Deobandi. Deobandis focused on a puritanical version of Islam more Arabic or Wahabi tradition. On the other hand Barelvis never stressed on labelling local customs as 'Hinduwana', The Barelvi subsect emphasises the importance of the veneration of Prophet Muhammad and Sufi saints. Barelvis believe in celebrating the Prophet’s birthday and are known for using music and dance in their religious practices. They also believe in intercession through the last messenger of Islam and his family enriched by its contact with fertile local cultures and marvel at Sufi traditions.