Raz Moradabadi, born Sajid Ali Khan in Moradabad in 1916, belonged to a family deeply rooted in poetry and literature. His paternal lineage traced back to soldiers and saints, while his maternal heritage was steeped in poetic traditions, shaping his literary sensibilities.

In 1933, he embarked on his poetic journey under the mentorship of the renowned Jigar Moradabadi, who bestowed upon him the takhallus (pen name) "Raz." In 1935, he joined Aligarh, where he fully immersed himself in the vibrant literary circles of the time. He engaged with distinguished poets and intellectuals, including Janisar Akhtar, Majaz, Jazbi, Akhtar-ul-Iman, Manzoor Shor, Dr. Abu Lais Siddiqui, Dr. Aftab Rudalvi, Shakeel Badayuni, and Shahid Latif. His teachers—Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Maulana Ahsan Mahirvi, and Jalil Qidwai—played a crucial role in refining his literary voice and character.

Raz served as Secretary of Anjuman Hadiqa-ul-Sher and Editor of Aligarh Magazine, overseeing the publication of the famous Fani Numberduring his tenure. After earning his MA in 1940, he briefly joined the army but soon left, realizing it was not the best fit for him. He returned to Aligarh, his beloved alma mater, as a research scholar to pursue a PhD, but in 1944, he joined All India Radio, marking a significant shift in his career.

Following Partition, he was transferred to Radio Pakistan, later serving on deputation at BBC London from 1952 to 1956 before rejoining Radio Pakistan. Raz later worked as Public Relations Officer (PRO) at POF Wah Cantt for 15 years before retiring in 1975. His poetry collection, Harf-e-Raz, was published in November 1978 by Karachi University and selected for inclusion in the academic syllabus. The preface was written by esteemed scholars Professor Waqar Azim, Professor Majnooh Gorakhpuri, and Professor Abu Laes Kashfi.

A devoted traditionalist, Raz Moradabadi remained steadfast in his commitment to the classical ghazal, drawing inspiration from the rich poetic traditions of Aligarh. His deep reverence for the form was not merely stylistic but spiritual—rooted in the legacy of Jigar Moradabadi, whose lyrical grace and philosophical depth left an indelible mark on Raz’s sensibility. In both temperament and technique, Raz sahib upheld the values of a bygone era, where poetry was not just expression but a way of being. He passed away in 1982, remembered as the last renowned disciple of Jigar Moradabadi.

“Yeh aur baat zamana hamain samajh na sakaa
Nighaye ishq mein laiken khulee kitaab thay hum.”