Indo Islamic Heritage
Tajush Shariah Masjid is a revered mosque and shrine complex in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to the memory of Akhtar Raza Khan (1943–2018), a prominent Barelvi scholar known as Tajush Shariah. Located adjacent to the historic Bareilly Sharif Dargah, it serves as a center for Sunni Islamic worship, education, and spiritual gatherings, attracting devotees from across India and abroad. The site features modern architecture integrated with traditional Islamic elements, including prayer halls and a mausoleum.
Tajush Shariah Masjid, part of the Khanqah-e-Tajush Shariah complex, stands as a significant Islamic landmark in Bareilly, a city renowned for its deep-rooted Barelvi traditions. The mosque and shrine honor Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari, born on November 23, 1943, in Saudagran, Bareilly, as the great-grandson of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi, the founder of the Barelvi movement. Khan, who earned the prestigious title "Tajush Shariah" (Crown of Islamic Law), was a leading Sunni scholar, mufti, and author of numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence, including Al-Mawahib al-Rizwiyyah Fi al-Fatawa al-Azhariya and Azhar al-Fatawa. Recognized globally, he ranked 22nd in the 2014 list of the 500 Most Influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and was one of the few Indian clerics permitted inside the Kaaba in Mecca. The complex was established in 2018 shortly after Khan's death on July 20, 2018, with his mausoleum constructed directly behind the Bareilly Sharif Dargah, symbolizing continuity in the lineage of Barelvi leadership. As a local shrine, it functions primarily as a mosque for daily prayers, Friday congregations, and special observances like the annual Urs-e-Tajush Shariah, a commemoration of Khan's life that draws thousands despite adaptations like online events during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The architecture blends modern design with Islamic motifs, featuring spacious prayer halls, a central dome, and serene courtyards conducive to reflection and Quranic recitation. Situated in the heart of Bareilly's spiritual hub, the masjid supports educational initiatives through affiliated madrasas, continuing Khan's legacy of promoting orthodox Sunni Islam against extremist ideologies—he notably issued a fatwa against groups like ISIS and the Taliban in 2015, endorsed by over 70,000 muftis. Today, under the custodianship of his son, Asjad Raza Khan, the site remains a peaceful haven for worshippers, emphasizing devotion, scholarship, and community unity within the Barelvi tradition.
Year of Built: 2018
Address: 8F53+W6W, Qadri Masjid Rd, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243123
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Bareilly
Pincode: 243123
Longitude: 79.2470° E
Latitude: 28.3675° N