PRIMARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION

COMMENCEMENT OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION

During A'la Hadrat's (alaihir rahmah) "Bismillah Kwaani" or "Commencement of Islamic Education" a very strange incident occurred.

His respected teacher asked him to read the Tasmiyah, and then told him to read "Alif, Baa, Taa, . . . ." A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) began reading the "Alif, Baa, Taa, ..." until he came to the word "Laam Alif" at which point A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) became silent. When his teacher asked him once more to read "Laam Alif", he remained silent. The teacher instructed him, "Say, 'Laam Alif'". Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah), then replied, "I have already read them earlier on. What need is there for me to repeat it?"

Hadrat Allama Raza Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah), who was witnessing this incident, said, "Son! Listen to what your Ustaad is saying." Upon further reflection, Hadrat Allama Raza Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah), realised the reason for the objection of the young A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah). It was because the teacher was teaching A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) the lesson on single alphabets. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) felt that how was it possible that a complete word like "Laam Alif" should be found in such a lesson that only dealt with single alphabets!

Hadrat Allama Mawlana Raza Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah) knew that it was a very delicate matter that could not be understood by a child. Nevertheless, he explained, "Son! It is true that which you are thinking of. But the 'Alif' which you had earlier read, in reality, is 'Hamza' and this which you are reciting now is 'Alif'. 'Alif' is always 'Sakin' and one cannot commence with an alphabet which is 'Sakin'. Therefore, it is for this reason that the alphabet 'Laam' is brought before the 'Alif'."

When A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) heard this answer, he replied, "If that be the case, then any other alphabet could be joined to the 'Alif'. Why the 'Laam'?" Mawlana Raza Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah), out of sheer happiness and excitement, embraced A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) and made Dua for him. He then explained the answer to A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) in the following brilliant manner: "In looking at them they both appear to be very much alike, since they are both empty. Even when writing them together they look very much alike. When it comes to their qualities then 'Laam' is the heart of 'Alif' and 'Alif' is the heart of 'Laam'."

Hadrat Allama Mawlana Raza Ali Khan (alaihir rahmah) was in reality opening the doors and the treasures of knowledge and spiritual insight to A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah).

A'LA HADRAT (alaihir rahmah) WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WHEN HE COMPLETED THE RECITATION OF THE HOLY QURAN. DUE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY INTELLIGENCE BESTOWED UPON HIM BY ALMIGHTY ALLAH, A'LA HADRAT (alaihir rahmah) COMPLETED HIS ISLAMIC EDUCATION AT THE VERY YOUNG AGE OF 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AND 5 DAYS. A'la Hadrat (alaihir rahmah) states that, "I completed my religious education during the middle of the month of Shabaan in the year 1286 A.H. I was 13 years, 10 months and 5 days old at that time. It was also at this time that Salaah became Fard upon me and I began to have great interest in the Laws of Shariah". (Al Ijaazatur Radawiyya)