Al-Fawzul Kabir fi Usul al-Tafsir: A Theoretical Review

Shah Wali Ullah is one of the few Muslim thinkers who made a notable contribution to guiding the Muslim nation on the right path in Islamic education, culture, thought, philosophy, and customs during the decline of Muslim rule in the Pak-Indian subcontinent. He played a vital role in guiding the Muslims in the wake of the rise of foreign Western powers during the Mughal rule in India. He was an experienced and expert scholar in various branches of knowledge, such as Al-Qur’an, At-Tafsir, Al-Hadith, AlFiqh, Aqaid, Falasafa (philosophy), Tasawwuf, History, and Science. His writings are widely appreciated and recognized. Moreover, he was an experienced and expert personality. He believed that the liberation of the Muslim nation was possible only by acquiring knowledge of the Qur’an. Therefore, he wrote the book Al-Fawzul Kabir fi ُصْو ِل التَّْف ِسْير) Tafsir Usulit ْي اُ ْير فِ ِ َكب ْ ْو ُز ال فَ ْ لَا (on the principles of Tafsir to convey the teachings of the Qur’an to the public. This is an impeccable book on the principles of Tafsir. The book is divided into five chapters and is characterized by various features. Students, teachers, and readers of Ilm alTafsir will benefit immensely from this book. Recognizing its importance and necessity, it has been included in the syllabus of higher education in the Indian subcontinent. The book has been translated into various languages, including English, Urdu, and Bengali. This article rationally explores the life of Shah Wali Ullah Dehlawi and his book Al-Fawz al-Kabir fi Usul al-Tafsir.