The Tafsir Methodology of the Indian Scholar Shah Abdulaziz Dehlawi

Authors : Enayatullah Azimi, Fatih Tok

Pages : 163-185

Doi:10.51702/esoguifd.1561581

View : 95 | Download : 82

Publication Date : 2025-03-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines the tafsir work and tafsir methodology of Abdulaziz Dehlawi, one of the prominent Islamic scholars of 18th-century India. Born in Delhi, Dehlawi in Islamic sciences, particularly in the fields of tafsir, hadith, and fiqh, and authored notable works in these disciplines. Acknowledged as a leading scholar in both India and the broader Islamic world, he played a crucial role in the dissemination and preservation of Islamic knowledge. Dehlawi\\\'s approach to tafsir is characterized by a balanced use of both the narrational (riwayah) and rational (dirayah) methods. While prominently employing the method of “interpreting the Qur\\\'an through the Qur\\\'an” in his exegesis, he aimed to present a comprehensive interpretation by combining narrational and rational elements. This approach relies on the explanations of the Prophet, as well as the views of the Sahabah and Tabi\\\'un, while also incorporating the exegete\\\'s intellectual and ijtihadi capacities. Dehlawi emphasized the importance of interpreting the Qur\\\'an with hadith, highlighting that using prophetic traditions to explain Qur\\\'anic verses enriches and deepens their meaning. Furthermore, he incorporated ijtihadi interpretations into his tafsir. Therefore, his methodology stands out as one that harmonizes narrational and rational approaches. It would be an incomplete assessment to categorize his tafsir solely as narrational. Dehlawi also included the views of the Sahabah and Tabi\\\'un in his tafsir, which reflect how the Qur\\\'an was understood and practiced by the earliest generations. This underscores the strong narrational dimension of his exegesis. Additionally, Dehlawi engaged with the sciences of Qur\\\'anic recitation and utilized them in his tafsir, demonstrating how variations in recitation affect the meanings of verses. The rational method in his tafsir involves the use of intellect, linguistic knowledge, and analogy to deepen the understanding of Qur\\\'anic verses. This methodology places great emphasis on linguistic and contextual factors, such as the subtleties of the Arabic language, rules of morphology (sarf) and syntax (nahw), lexical meanings, and the occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul). By highlighting the importance of linguistic sciences, particularly morphology and syntax, Dehlawi emphasized the critical role of language in understanding Qur\\\'anic verses. The concept of munasabat al-Qur\\\'an occupies a significant place in Dehlawi\\\'s understanding of the Qur\\\'an. He believed in the strong interconnection and consistency among the surahs and verses of the Qur\\\'an and elaborated on these relationships in his tafsir. This approach effectively demonstrates the unity of the Qur\\\'an and the semantic links between its verses. Topics such as abrogation, occasions of revelation, and interrelations among verses are key elements that add depth to Dehlawi\\\'s tafsir. In addition to explaining the text of the Qur\\\'an, Dehlawi aimed to convey the fundamental teachings of Islam and the spirit of the Qur\\\'an to the readers. By categorizing surahs according to their themes and identifying the main theme of each surah, he facilitated a more systematic understanding of the Qur\\\'an for his audience. This feature highlights the didactic dimension of his tafsir. Dehlawi\\\'s tafsir significantly contributes to the exegetical tradition as a work that deepens the interpretative world of the Qur\\\'an and reveals the richness of Islamic sciences. His interpretative methodology, which integrates narrational and rational methods in a balanced manner, both traditional and analytical approaches in understanding the Qur\\\'an. Dehlawi\\\'s works continue to serve as a guiding reference for approaching the Qur\\\'an not only in his time but also in contemporary exegetical studies, preserving their value as an enduring legacy in the field of tafsir.
Keywords : Tefsir, Kur’an, Şah Abdülazîz Dihlevî, Rivayet, Dirayet, Yöntem