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SHAH WALI UL ALLAH’S FIVE SCIENCES COVERING QURAN IN AL FAUZ AL

KABIR AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Conference Paper · August 2018

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 IGCESH2018
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia 13 -15 August 2018

SHAH WALI UL ALLAH AND FIVE SCIENCES COVERING QURAN

IN AL FAUZ AL KABIR

Naeem Ashfaq *1 and Hussin Bin Salamon2

1,2
Faculty of Islamic Civilization, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
(E-mail: naeem.alim@gmail.com, drhussin@utm.my)

ABSTRACT

This study explores the contribution of Shah Wali Allah Dehlavi’s work on the Quran to
classify it into five categories (themes) using qualitative methodology known as thematic
analysis in today’s world of research, in his book Al-Fawz al-Kabir. This paper is an attempt
to show the contributions of Muslim scholars in the world of research by introducing or using
the research methodology which is used even in today’s modern world. A qualitative
comparative case study analysis was employed by reviewing both the approaches i.e.
thematic analysis and the approach applied by shah Wali Allah to find five sciences. The
result showed that both of the research approaches are similar. This study concludes that
[our] classical scholars have formulated and used the research methodologies which may be
applicable and relevant to the current research paradigms. It is recommended for the Muslim
researchers to review and analyze the work of Islamic classical scholars specifically their
research techniques to derive new research methodologies.

Key words: Quran, Shah Wali Allah, Al- Fauz Al- Kabir, Five Sciences, Thematic Analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to introduce the work of Shah Wali Allah (SWH) on Quran by categorizing
Quran into five themes known as five sciences and to show that he used the thematic
analysis250 years ago. It provides a detailed information on how he performed this work
using Thematic Analysis, in his book “Al-Fawz al-Kabir”. SWH was an eminent Muslim
scholars, revolutionary thinker and a theologian of pre-modern India of subcontinent [1]. It is
concisely and valuable work on the principles of Qur'anic exegesis leads to the
comprehension of meaning of the Book of Allah [2].

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is delimited to the first chapter of SWH’s book Al-Fawz al-Kabir which deals with
the explanation of five sciences enunciated in the Quran in which he employed qualitative
technique. This study intends to find out the relation between the research methodology used by
shah Wali Allah and the thematic analysis.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to explore the research work of [our] classical Islamic
scholars as to how they developed different research methodologies and used them. However,
the specific aims of the study are to:

• Analyze the research work of SWH on Quran to find out the relationship between the
research methodology employed by SWH and the thematic analysis;
• Introduce and show the research methodologies used by the classical Islamic scholars
for contemporary researchers;
• Motivate the contemporary Islamic researchers to formulate, develop and use these
research methodologies in their research work;

METHODOLOGY

For this study, a “qualitative comparative case study” was adopted. First, relevant literature,
publications and studies were reviewed to get in-depth information on contemporary research
methodology i.e. Thematic Analysis. Second, deep review of methodology employed by
SWH to define five themes (five sciences) of the Quran and his methodological approach to
thematic analysis.

MAIN FINDINGS AND BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE STUDY

SWH, introduced a new dimension in the science of Tafsir. He emphasized a direct approach
to the Qur'an. After a comprehensive survey of the contents of the Qur'an, he categorized the
teachings of the Qur’an into five themes. This classification resolved many
misunderstandings of the Qur'an as well as a number of problems in the sequence of the
verses, their inter-relationship and thematic coherence. The significance underlying the
arrangement of the Quran covered by a set of five themes is as follows [3]:
The science of Injunctions )‫(علم االحكام‬

Under this theme there are incumbent, the recommended, the approved, the disapproved and
the forbidden, covering worships, social dealings, household economy, and state politics? Its
discussion is the responsibility of Jurists.

The science of Disputation )‫(علم الجدل‬

This theme deals with four groups of erring and misguided sects: the Jews, the Christians,
Polytheists, and lukewarm followers (munâfiqûn) and its discussion and analysis falls within
the jurisdiction of dialecticians.

The science of Divine Favors )‫(علم التذكير بآالءهللا‬

Reminding people of the benefits (conferred by or) of God? by explaining how heaven and
earth were created, and by pointing out that thanks to divine instruction man can acquire the
necessities of life by means of techniques required to control natural phenomena. This covers
explanation of the creation of the heavens and the earth, of the perfect attributes of Allah and
the guidance which the people received about necessities of life.

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 The science covering the important events which Allah caused to take place, favoring
the obedient and punishing the disobedient. )‫(علم التذكير بأ يّام هللا‬

Reminding people of the Days of the Lord (Ayyâm Allâh)1, i.e. the lessons of history. This
theme covering the important events which Allah caused to take place, favoring the obedient
and punishing the disobedient.

The science relating to Death and what will follow it )‫)علم التذكير بالموت وما بعدَه‬

This theme reminds human beings of the death, and what will follow it, the resurrection, the
gathering, the reckoning, the balance, the paradise, and the Hell.

CONCLUSION

This paper examines the similarity of the two qualitative research methodologies shows that the
classical Islamic scholars formulated and implemented research methodologies for instance SWH
in his monumental work on the Quran to cover the significance of the underlying arrangement
of the Holy Quran in his book Al-Fawz al-Kabir by a set of five sciences. This study not only
attempts to show his biography after research scholars as a great scholar of Islamic
civilization but also familiarize and motivate them through his contributions to the
development of science of research.

REFERENCES
1. S. W.-A. al-Dihlawi, "Anfas al-‘Arifin," ed: Delhi, (1917).
2. P. Hardy, The Muslims of British India (no. 13). Cambridge University Press, (1972).
3. J. M. S. Baljon, Religion and Thought of Shāh Walī Allāh Dihlawī: 1703-1762. Brill Academic Pub, (1986),
p. 221.

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