Shah Waliullah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this
article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may
be challenged and removed. (June 2009)

Islamic scholar
Shāh Walīullāh

Born 21 February 1703 (1114 Hijri)

Delhi, Hindustan

Died 20 August 1762 (aged 59) (1176 Hijri)

Delhi, Hindustan

Jurisprudence Hanafi, Sufism

Creed Sunni Islam

Notable Hujjat Allah al-baligha (The Conclusive Argument from

work(s) God)

Influenced by[show]

Influenced[show]

Part of a series on

Sunni Islam

Beliefs

Monotheism
Prophethood / Messengership
Holy Books · Angels
 Judgement Day · Predestination

Five Pillars

Declaration of Faith · Prayer
Charity · Fasting · Pilgrimage

Rightly Guided Caliphs

Abu Bakr · Umar ibn al-Khattab

Uthman ibn Affan · Ali ibn Abi Talib

Schools of Law

Hanafi · Maliki · Shafi'i · Hanbali · Ẓāhirī

Extinct Schools of Law

Awza'i · Laythi · Thawri · Jariri

Schools of Theology

Maturidi · Ash'ari · Athari

Movements

Ahl al-Hadith · Barelvi · Deobandi · Salafism

Hadith Collections

Kutub al-Sittah
Sahih al-Bukhari · Sahih Muslim
Al-Sunan al-Sughra · Sunan Abu Dawood
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Sunan ibn Majah

 V

 T
  

 E

Qutb-ud-Dīn Ahmad ibn 'Abdul Rahīm (Arabic: ‫)قطب الدین احمد ابن عبدالرحیم‬, better known as Shāh
Walīullāh (1703 — 1762 CE / 1114 — 1176 AH) was an Islamic scholar, reformer and founder of modern
Islamic thought who attempted to reassess Islamic theology in the light of modern changes. [1][2]

Life[edit]

Shāh Walīullāh was born in 1703, four years before the death of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. His genealogy
can be traced back to the family of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab.[3] He received a structured education and spiritual
instruction at the madrasa (religious school) established by his father, Shah 'Abd al-Rahim, at Delhi. Along with
the Qur'an, he studied Arabic and Persian grammar and literature and the higher philosophical, theological,
metaphysical, mystical and juridical texts. He graduated from the school when he was barely fifteen years old;
in the same year, his father initiated him into the famous Naqshbandi order. He began his career as a teacher
at the Madrasa-e-Rahimia under the tutelage of his father; after the death of the latter in 1719, Shah Waliullah
became the head of the madrasa, teaching all the current sciences at the school for about twelve years. During
the same period he continued his own studies, growing in stature as a teacher and attracting students to his
circle.[4][5]

In 1724 he went to the Hijaz on a pilgrimage (Hajj) and stayed there for eight years studying Hadith and Fiqh
under such distinguished scholars as Abu Tahir bin ibrahim al-Kurdi al-Madani, Wafd Allah al-Makki, and Taj al-
Din al-Qali. During this period he came into contact with people from all parts of the Muslim world and, thus,
obtained first-hand information about the conditions then prevailing in the various Muslim countries. [3] During
this time, he also saw the forty-seven spiritual visions which form the subject matter of his famous mystical
work Fuyud al-haramayn (Emanations or Spiritual Visions of Makkah and Madina). [6]

He returned to Delhi in 1733, where he spent the rest of his life in producing numerous works till his death in
1763 during the reign of Shah Alam II. The most important of Shah Waliullah's works is his Ḥujjat Allāh al-
Bāligha in which he made an attempt to present the teachings of Islam in a spirit of scientific objectivity. The
range of his works include: economic, political, social, meta-physical, as well as purely theological aspects.

Shah Waliullah married twice in his lifetime, first when he was 14 years old. He had a son and a daughter from
his first marriage. He concluded the second marriage sometime after his return to India. He had four sons and
a daughter from his second marriage.[5] His historically significant contribution is that, when Marathas were
expanding their area of control towards the Northwest of India, Shah Waliullah and some other Muslim leaders
of India kept writing letters to Ahmad Shah Abdali,the Muslim ruler of Afghanistan, to keep him informed of the
developments in India. Ahmad Shah Abdali was finally persuaded to return to India to confront the Marathas.
Consequently, in 1761, in the decisive Battle of Panipat, Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali and
his allied forces.

List of works[edit]

 Altaf al-quds (The sacred knowledge of the higher functions of the mind:
Altaf al-Quds)[7]

 Al-Khayr al-kathir (The Abundant Good)[8]

 Ḥujjat Allāh al-Bāligha[5]

 Sata'at (Manifestations)

 Lamahat (Flashes of Lightning)

 Fuyud al-haramayn (Emanations or Spiritual Visions of Makkah and

Madina)[6]

 Al-Tafhimat (Instructions or Clear Understanding)

 Al-Budur al-bazighah (The Full Moons Rising in Splendor)

 Al-Fauz Al-Kabir Fi Usul Al-Tafsir

Al-Irshad ila-Muhimmat-I-Ilm-al-Isnad (Arabic)- is about the scholars of Hejaz who taught Shah Waliullah. Izalat
al-Khafa 'an Khilafat al- Khulfa (Persian) Al-Fauzul Kabir Fi Usoolu-Tafseer (Arabics) Atayyab al-naghm fi
Madh-I-Saiyid al- Arab wal-Ajam (Arabic)- A collection of odes eulogizing the holy Prophet which speak of
Shah's poetic talent and love towards Prophet. Altaf al-Quds (Persian) - Deals with esoteric principles of
mysticism. Al-Imdad-o-fi Ma'athir al-Ajdad (Persian)- A brochure giving Shah Waliullah’s genealogical table and
containing brief notices about some of his ancestors. Al-Intibah-o-fi Salasil-il-Aulia Allah (Persian)- Gives the
history and brief introduction of different mystic orders. Insan al-ain fi Mashikh al-Haeamyn (Persian) Al insaf-o-
fi Bayan-I-Asbab al-Ikhtalaf (Arabic) Anfas aal Arifin (Persian) Al-Budur al-Bazigha (Arabic)- This work on
theology employs philosophical terminology in discussing human nature and social behavior. Bawariq al-
Wilayah (Persian)- The tract forms part of the Anfas al-Arifin in which the Shah has described the life and
spiritual attainments of his father Shah Abdur Rahim. Tawil al-ahadith (Arabic)- It recount the stories of different
prophets mentioned in the Quran in order to draw out lessons and rules of Shariah from the Quranic
describtion. Tuhfatul Muwahhidin- It is a Persian tract explaining the creed of tauhid. Tarajim-o-Abwab al-
Bukhari (Arabic)- It expounds the principles which would be found helpful in understanding certain difficult
portions of the Bukhari. At-Tafhimat al-Ilahiyah (Arabic and Persian)- It's a mystical work, partly in Arabic and
partly in Persian, giving the mystical experiences of Shah. Al-Juz al-Latif fi- Tarjumata al-Abd al-
Dhayif(Persian) Hujjat Allah al-Baligha (Arabic)- The magnum opus of Shah has been discussed in the seventh
section of this work. Husn al- Aqidah (Arabic)- The fundamental creed of Islam as accepted by the Ahli-I-
Sunnat sect, has been expounded in this work in the light of Quran and Hadith. Al-Khair al-Kathir(Arabic)- This
work on philosophy of religion elucidates the concept of m'arifat and wisdom of Divine Names, revelation etc.
Ad-durrus Thamain fi-Mubashshiratil Nabi al-Amin (Arabic)- It is a collection of glad tidings the Shah and his
ancestors had had from the holy Prophet. Diwan-o-Ashar (Arabic)- A collection of the Arabic verses of the
Shah. Risalah- was written in reply to certain mystical issues raised by Shaikh 'Abdullah bin Abdul Baqi.
Risalah Danishmandi (Persian) - A valuable tract containing detailed directions in regard to methodology of
teaching. Zahrawayn- A commentary on the Surat-ul-Baqarah and Imran. Surur al- Mahzun (Persia)- It is a
concise Persian rendering of the Kitab Nur al-Uyun il-Amin al-Mamun a well-known biography of the holy
Prophet. Sharh-o-Tarajim-I-Abwab-I-Sahih al-Bukhari (Arabic)- is an annotation on certain chapters of the
Sahih of Bukhari. Shifa al-Qulub (Persian)- is a tract of mysticism. Shawariq al-Marifat (Persian)- a biography of
the Shah's Uncle Shaikh Abdul Raza. Al-Atiyatus Samadiyah Fi Anfas Al-Muhammadiyah (Persian)- this small
brochure contains a biographical sketch of the Shah's maternal grandfather Shaikh Muhammad Phulti. Iqd Al-
Jid Fi-Aakham Al-Ijtihad Wat-Tajdid (Arabic) Fath-ur-Rahman (Persian)-a translation of the Quran. Fath-al-
Kabir (Arabic)- A glossary of the intricate words of the Quran. Fath al-Wadud-li-Marifata-al-Junud(Arabic)- it
pertains to the ethics and mysticism. Al fadhl Al-Mubin Fi Al-Musalsal Min Hadithin Nabi Al-Amin (Arabic)- It is
about Hadith

References[edit]

1. Jump up^ Jalbani, G.N. (2006). Life of Shah Wali Allah (1st ed.). New

Delhi, India: Kitab Bhavan. ISBN 9788171513703.

2. Jump up^ S.M. Ikram (1964). "XIX. A Century of Political Decline: 1707-

1803". In Ainslie T. Embree. Muslim civilization in India. New York:

Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231025805. Retrieved 12 April

2013.

3. ^ Jump up to:a b Sharif, M. M. (1963). A History of Muslim Philosophy: With

short accounts of other Disciplines and the Modern Renaissance in the

Muslim Lands. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.ISBN 9788175361461.

4. Jump up^ Husain, M Hidayat (1912). "Al-Juz' al-Latif fi Tarjamat al-'Abd

al-Da'if (English translation from Persian text)". Journal of Asiatic Society

of Bengal 14: 161–175.

5. ^ Jump up to:a b c Hermansen, transl. by Marcia K. (1996). The conclusive

argument of God  : Shāh Walī Allāh of Delhi's Ḥujjat Allāh al-Bāligha.

Leiden [u.a.]: Brill. ISBN 9789004102989.

6. ^ Jump up to:a b Waliullah, Shah. Fuyud al-haramayn (Emanations or Spiritual

Visions of Makkah and Madina).
 7. Jump up^ Waliullah, Shah (1982). The sacred knowledge of the higher
functions of the mind: Altaf al-Quds. London: Octagon

Pr. ISBN 0900860936.

8. Jump up^ Waliullah, Shah (1974). al-Khayr al-kathir. LCCN 75930338.

Sufism and Tariqa

Ideas[show]

Practices[show]

Sufi orders[show]

Notable early Sufis[show]

Notable modern Sufis[show]

Topics in Sufism[show]

   Portal

 V

 T

 E

[hide]

 V
  

 T

 E

Islamic philosophy

Alchemy

Aqidah

'Aql

Cosmology (Astrology · Theoretical Astronomy)

Eschatology

Ethics

Kalam

Legal Philosophy
Fields
 

Logic

Metaphysics

Natural Philosophy

Peace

Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Science

Psychology

Sufism
 Early Philosophy

Farabism

Avicennism

Averroism

Schools of Philosophy Illuminationism

Sufi Philosophy (Cosmology · Metaphysics)

Transcendent Theosophy

Traditionalist School

Contemporary Philosophy

Al-Kindi

9th c. Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari

Abu al-Abbas Iranshahri

10th c. Zakariya Razi

Apharabius
Philosophers  

Abu Hatim al-Razi

Al Amiri

Ikhwan al-Safa

Abu Sulayman Sijistani

 
 Ibn Masarrah

Abu Yaqub al-Sijistani

Al-Ghazali

Ibn Miskawayh

Avicenna

11th c. Ibn Hazm

Bahmanyar

Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi

Nasir Khusraw

Ayn-al-Quzat

Abu'l-Barakāt al-Baghdādī

Ibn Tufail

12th c. Averroes

Omar Khayyám

Suhrawardi

Afdal al-Din Kashani

13th c. Ibn Sab’in

Ibn Arabi

 
 al-Abharī

Nasir al-Din Tusi

Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi

14th c. Ibn Khaldun

15th c. Jalaladdin Davani

16th c. Qadi Mir Husayn al-Maybudi

Mir Damad

Mir Fendereski

Mulla Sadra

Mohsen Fayz Kashani

17th c. 

Abd al-Razzaq Lahiji

Imam Rabbani Mujaddid Alf-i-Sani

Rajab Ali Tabrizi

Qazi Sa’id Qumi

18th c. Shah Waliullah

19th c. Hādī Sabzavārī

20th–21st c. Muhammad Husayn Tabatabaei

Muhammad Iqbal

Gohar Shahi

Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr

  

René Guénon

Frithjof Schuon

Martin Lings

Hossein Nasr

Naquib al-Attas

Abdolkarim Soroush

Gholamhossein Ebrahimi Dinani

Taha Abdurrahman

Concepts ʻAṣabīya

Ḥāl

Iʻjaz

ʼIjtihād

ʻlm

ʻIrfān

Ijmāʿ

Maslaha

Nafs

Qadar
  

Qiyās

Shūrā

Tawḥīd

Ummah

WorldCat

VIAF: 71535292

 
Authority
LCCN: n50027122
control
 

ISNI: 0000 0000 7144 2181

GND: 104131144

Categories: 
 Islam in India
 Indian Sufis
 Quran translators
 Indian Muslims
 Sunni Sufis
 1703 births
 1762 deaths
 Indian Sunni Muslim scholars of Islam

Navigation menu
 Create account

 Log in
 Article
 Talk
 Read
 Edit
 View history
 Main page
 Contents
 Featured content
 Current events
 Random article
 Donate to Wikipedia

Interaction
 Help
 About Wikipedia
 Community portal
 Recent changes
 Contact page
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages
 ‫العربية‬
 বাংলা
 Deutsch
 ‫فارسی‬
 Français
 മലയാളം
 मराठी
 ‫پښتو‬
 Русский
 Suomi
 ‫اردو‬
 Edit links

 This page was last modified on 10 October 2013 at 15:01.

 Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional
terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit
organization.

 Privacy policy

 About Wikipedia

 Disclaimers

 Contact Wikipedia

 Developers

 Mobile view


