reply to each question in such an intelligent manner that it often surprised the examiner. When the examiner questioned him on how he managed to answer intricate questions on the topic of I?lm-e-Kalam (Knowledge of Imaan), even though he was only studying Ahadith and the principles of Ahadith, he used to reply ?I studied this subject while I was still a student at Darul Uloom Manzare Islam.

He also used to achieve first position during every examination. His studies continued at the Al Azhar University and he began achieving more success in the academic field as the days passed. He achieved the distinction of being one of the best foreign students to have studied at Al Azhar University.

Even till this day, ex-students of the Al Azhar University still remember him is this fashion.

In one famous monthly magazine, this distinction was echoed in the following words: ?The grandson of Huzoor Hujjatul Islam, Maulana Haamid Raza Khan and the son of Jilani Mia, Hadrat Ibrahim Raza Khan graduated with a B.A. degree in Arabic in a most worthy and excellent manner. HIS EMINENCE DID NOT ONLY COME FIRST WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE AL AZHAR UNIVERSITY, BUT ALSO FIRST IN THE WHOLE OF CAIRO. May Allah grant him more success, make him worthy of propagation, and may be known as the true Successor of A?la Hadrat .? Ameen.

Upon graduating from the Al Azhar University, Hadrat Allama Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari was awarded the Jamia Azhar Award by Colonel Jamaal Abdul Nassir. He was also presented with a Certificate of Merit in the field of Ahadith. After graduating and receiving the Al Azhar Award, he returned home to continue his Islamic mission.

A photocopy of the Certificate in Arabic awarded to his Eminence at Al Azhar University has been presented. This Certificate was awarded to him in his faculties of Ahadith and the Principles of Ahadith. Please bear in mind that because the certificate is nearly 30 years old, the writing is a little faded.

His Eminence Returns Home
He returned home when he was 24 years old and three years later. And, of course, being anxious of his well being, a large crowd awaited him at the railway station. They gave him a very warm welcome. An article describing his return to Bareilly Shareef was written by Mr. Umeed Razvi. It was printed in the Monthly A'la Hadrat magazine. It was printed in the December issue under the title, GREAT WELCOME. The article reads as follows:

?A beautifully coloured and scented rose from the garden of A?la Hadrat, his Eminence, Maulana Akhtar Raza Khan, the son of Hadrat Mufassir-e-Azam Hind, Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan arrived in Bareilly Shareef after a lengthy stay at the Al Azhar University. He has arrived in Bareilly Shareef after completing his studies at the Al Azhar University in Cairo.

He was welcomed at the Bareilly Junction Railway Station by many well-wishers, friends, families, great Ulama and students of Madressa Manzare Islam. Under the spiritual supervision of Huzoor Sarkaar Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind, they all welcomed him. They showed his Eminence a great deal of love, respect and adorned him with garlands prepared from colourful flowers.

This organization congratulates Maulana Akhtar Raza Khan and his relatives on such a success. We pray that Almighty Allah with the Wasila of the Prophet make him the true Successor of his forefathers, especially of A?la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahle Sunnah, Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat, Imam Ahmed Raza Khan. Ameen.