Hazrat Syed Shah Abul Hussain Ahmad Noori Marharvi: The 19th-Century Sufi Sage Who Bridged Sharia and Mysticism in Colonial India

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 5 May 2025 A 19th-century Indian Sufi scholar, Hazrat Noori emphasized Sunni orthodoxy and Sufi spirituality. Orphaned early, he mastered Islamic sciences under his grandfather, authored key theological works, and mentored luminaries like Imam Ahmed Raza Khan. His dargah in Marehra Sharif remains a revered spiritual site Main Points: 1. Born in 1839 in Marehra Sharif, Uttar Pradesh, into a revered Sufi family; orphaned early and raised by his grandfather, a Qadiri spiritual leader. 2. Mastered Islamic sciences and ascetic practices (18 years of fasting, meditation) under his grandfather’s guidance. 3. Advocated Sunni orthodoxy, blending Sharia and Tariqa, while opposing heterodox movements like Nicheriyat. 4. Authored seminal works on Sufism, theology, and ethics, including Siraj al-Awarif and Dalil al-Yaqeen. 5. Mentored Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi; his dargah in Marehra remains a pilgrimage site, symbolizing his spiritual and scholarly legacy. ------ Hazrat Syed Shah Abul Hussain Ahmad Noori Marharvi, reverently known as Miyan Sahab and honoured with the title Khatim-e-Akabir-e-Hind (Seal of the Great Ones of India), was born on 27 December 1839 (27 Shawwal al-Mukarram, 1255 Hijri) in Marehra Sharif, Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. His birth heralded the continuation of a spiritually illustrious lineage rooted in the Hussaini-Zaidi branch of the Bilgrami Sadat, a family renowned for its contributions to Islamic scholarship and Sufism. His given name, Syed Abul Hussain Ahmad Noori, reflected his noble heritage, though he was historically recorded as Mazhar Ali. Orphaned at the tender age of two and a half, he was raised under the guardianship of his grandfather, Hazrat Syed Shah Aale Rasool Ahmad Marharvi (d. 1866), a towering figure in the Qadiri Sufi tradition. This early immersion in a spiritually charged environment shaped his intellectual and moral foundation. The family’s legacy in Marehra Sharif began in 1217 CE (614 Hijri) when their ancestor, Syed Shah Abdul Jalil Bilgrami, migrated to the region under royal patronage, establishing it as a hub of Islamic learning and piety. Contemporary accounts describe Hazrat Noori as possessing a dignified presence. He had a wheatish complexion, a broad forehead, and a tall stature that commanded respect. His eyes, large and luminous, were framed by long lashes, often described as radiating spiritual intensity. Despite his austere lifestyle, he dressed simply yet elegantly, favouring white robes and a coloured turban. His demeanour blended humility with authority, and his habitual smile endeared him to all who encountered him. His education began with Quranic recitation under the guidance of his grandfather, who also initiated him into mystical practices. By age seven, he was immersed in rigorous ascetic disciplines, including fasting, night vigils (Tahajjud), and prolonged periods of seclusion (Khalwat). He mastered Persian, Arabic, jurisprudence (Fiqh), Quranic exegesis (Tafsir), Hadith, logic (Mantiq), and metaphysics under the tutelage of eminent scholars such as Hafiz Abdul Karim Punjabi, Maulvi Fazlullah Jalesari, Maulana Nur Ahmad Usmani Badayuni, and Hakim Muhammad Saeed Marharvi. His intellectual prowess earned him recognition as a polymath, fluent in both exoteric and esoteric sciences. Under his grandfather’s mentorship, he underwent rigorous spiritual training in the Qadiri-Razvi order. By his late teens, he had completed 18 years of ascetic practices, including zikr-e-jalali (invocations emphasizing Divine Majesty) and zikr-e-jamali (invocations focusing on Divine Beauty). His mastery of these practices led to his recognition as one of the Saba Kutub (Seven Spiritual Poles) of his era, a prophecy foretold by saints like Hazrat Bu Ali Shah Qalandar. Hazrat Noori’s teachings emphasized strict adherence to Sunni orthodoxy, the purification of the soul (tazkiyah-e-nafs), and the harmony of Sharia (Islamic law) and Tariqa (Sufi path). He vehemently opposed heterodox movements such as Tafziliyat (sectarian extremists), advocating instead for a balanced spirituality rooted in Quranic principles. His literary works, including ‘Siraj al-Awarif fil Wasaya wal Ma’arif’ and ‘Dalil al-Yaqeen’, remain foundational texts for seekers of mystical knowledge. Numerous accounts attest to his spiritual stature. A physician, Dr. Nasir Khan Marharvi, recounted being rescued from bandits through Hazrat Noori’s intercession, while disciples like Munshi Abdul Ghaffar spoke of his preternatural ability to resolve legal disputes. His grandfather had prophesied his role as a Kutb (spiritual axis), a claim validated by his ability to intercede in worldly and metaphysical realms. Though he had no biological children, his spiritual progeny included luminaries such as Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (Mujaddid-e-Azam), whom he mentored and granted ijazat (authorization) in the Qadri-Razvi order. He also foretold the birth of Mufti-e-Azam Hind Mustafa Raza Khan, whom he spiritually nurtured from infancy. His disciples, including Maulana Shah Abdul Qadir Badayuni and Hakim Muhammad Abd al-Qayyum, propagated his teachings across South Asia, ensuring the continuity of his intellectual and spiritual legacy. Hazrat Noori passed away on 31 August 1906 (11 Rajab al-Murajjab, 1324 Hijri) and was laid to rest in the Dargah-e-Barkatiya complex in Marehra Sharif, Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. His urs (death anniversary) is observed annually, drawing devotees who seek blessings and spiritual solace. References: 1. Sayyidi Aala Hazrat the Qaadiri Gem Volume 1 By Muhammad Afthab Cassim al-Qaadiri Razvi Noori 2. Tazkirah-e Mashaikh-e Qadriya Barkatiya Razviya by Abdul Mujtaba Rizvi 3. https://alahazrat.net/personalities/hazrat-shah-abul-hussain-noori-miyan/ 4. Shah Abul Hussain Ahmed e Noori / شاہ ابوالحسین احمد نوری By Raza Academy, Mumbai 5. http://www.ahlesunnat.net/media-library/downloads/regularupdates/abulhussain.htm 6. https://www.myislamicinfo.in/2020/05/hazrat-sayyed-abul-husain-ahmad-e-noori.html URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-noori-marharvi-sufi-sage-sharia-mysticism/d/135430 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism