A Critical Analysis of Sirat ul Jinan fi Tafseer ul Quran in the Light of Current Urdu Tafaseeri Trends

Abstract

The Qur’ān3 is a source of guidance for all mankind, covering aspects of human life in detail. At different times, to benefit from the word of Allah and for human understanding and easy interpretation, the science of commentary arose. To understand the Holy Qur’ān and its demands and concepts and to carry out such important work as Tafsı ̇̄r, one must have deep familiarity with all the other sciences. The Holy Qur’ān is a vast ocean and can never be captured in a jar. Language has no religion, but religion plays a major role in the development of a language. The title of the thesis is ‘A Critical Analysis of Sı ̇̄rat al Jı ̇̄nan fi Tafsı ̇̄r al Qur’ān in the Light of Current Urdu Tafāseerı ̇̄Trends’. The main purpose of the thesis presented in this research is to make an analytical and critical study of Tafseer Sirat-al-Jinan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an commentary services in the field of Urdu commentary literature. It is a natural and necessary process that, the thoughts and ideas that come to the fore in an era are compiled and organized one at a time and then it is critically examined and analyzed to observe that, what extent did these ideas prove useful and related to the problems of that era or of that time. What extent have these intellectual endeavors been successful in solving problems? What weaknesses are left? To what extent did these ideas have an effect? Thoughts and ideas that do not correspond to the problems and requirements of any age. Thoughts that do not prove useful to their time or are not based on facts are lost. The only thing that remains is based on solid arguments and facts. This article examines the scientific and intellectual value of Tafsir Sirat al-Jinan fi Tafsir al-Quran in the context of Urdu Tafaseeri literature. This research seeks to capture the potential of the newly created scholars and think through the efforts of the commentators. This effort introduces the interpretive efforts of the commentators, analysis the trends and the emerging commentary material as much as possible, and carries out the critical analysis. To find the material from it, the commentators, while diving into the Qur'an to seek guidance from it, have brought to light the insistence behind it. It is clear from the results obtained in the thesis that the commentators of the subcontinent did not meditate on the Qur'an merely for the sake of gaining rewards but their purpose was to convey the universal light and guidance of the Qur'an to human beings according to their aims and objectives. They spread the light of 3ā ̇̄ ā ̇̄ ūā guidance from the Qur'an according to their own goals and power. Now it is our job to find a way to use it. The way the commentators did not meditate on the Qur'an just for the sake of reward. In the same way, it is our duty not only to read the commentaries as a study or a memoir of the elders but also to apply them in practical life. Let the world know that our book has the potential to guide us in every area of life till the end of the world. Different commentators have also made new commentary ijtihad in their commentaries on many aspects of life. He has also given solutions to the problems of his time by informing the ijtihad before him about the problems of his time. This ijtihad has been carried out in society, economy, politics, family life, and theological issues. The interpretive ijtihad of the people before them has also been investigated. They have been tested by reason and incidental evidence. Arguments have been pointed out that cannot be proved. The views of the commentators have been put to the test. The ideas of the primeval commentators have been expanded and new ijtihad has been made on their basis. The disbelief created by the opponents to perform the duty of defending religion has also been alleviated. Above all, the Qur'an has been interpreted as a book of guidance by the modern mental background and way of thinking. The da'wah of the Qur'an is a predominant trend in the subcontinent. The movement which was started and revived by Shah Wali Ullah to return to the Qur'an (Raju Illal Quran) was carried forward by the commentators of the subcontinent. The impression spread by some sectors that the scholars used the Qur'an only to popularize sectarian ideas and toppled the Qur'an from the place of the book of guidance is not true. In this thesis, an attempt has been made to make it clear that there is a great value in Urdu commentary literature which has come to light after reflection in the Qur'an. It is a misconception that commentators have used the Qur'an only to reinforce group points of view or to refute and condemn others. This is true to some extent, but we cannot sacrifice all sincere efforts for this allegation. Doing so is certainly an insult to the efforts of countless sincere commentators. The impression created in the present day that all the knowledge of Tafsir and the efforts of the commentators is an ideological debate is a mental exercise of the commentators and is merely imitative literature. The impression that the Qur'an has not been properly understood in fourteen hundred years has been disproved. The both point of view is an insult to its fourteen centuries of interpretive heritage and irrational. The book was revealed for the guidance of human beings till the Day of Judgment and was called Musaddiq, Mahaiman, Noor-e-Hidayat, Mowiza, Furqan and Hudal-i-lnaas. An actual study of the detailed literature makes it clear that this impression is contrary to the fact that the Holy Prophet did not comment on the Qur'an and that what is called tafsir is the sayings of the followers which have no legal status and which full of differences. Allama Tabari has also criticized the traditions and since then the process of constant criticism has continued and so far, no one can say that we do not have a reliable interpretation of the entire Qur'an in the light of authentic Ahadith (Prophet’s sayings). The Qur'an did not deviate from the book of guidance, but there are still dozens of commentaries written in the style of Da'wah. An attempt has been made in this thesis to point out where further research is required to be done or where there is scope for relevance to a commentary. It can also be used to search for titles at the MPhil and Ph.D. levels or in addition to research. The idea that urdu commentary literature is based on unreliable traditions was popularized for specific purposes. To dispel this misconception, the aspect of commentaries has been highlighted that a large number of commentators of Urdu commentaries have also claimed and adhered to the fact that only Marfu traditions have been included. The content presented in the commentaries has been specially pointed out to suit the modern issues and requirements so that it is clear that the commentators are not ignorant of the modern requirements. Some commentaries also point to material that needs further research. The creative and ijtihadi material in the commentaries has been identified. If the commentator has thrown light on a contemporary issue by ijtihad manner, it has also been pointed out. This is a preliminary attempt at Analytical Study of Tafs r S t-al-J n n f Tafs r al-Qur’ n in the light of Urdu Tafas r trends of modern Urd commentaries, it cannot be said that this work has examined the trends of all Urdu commentary books there are still numerous books. I have also made a few books for the subject of discussion. The remaining commentaries will be used in the future. I have been consciously trying to highlight the salient aspects of the commentary. The qualities should be brought to the fore and the impression should be removed that our religious literature is merely imitative. In contrast, most interpretations are based on creative material in one way or another. The researcher has also tried to discuss some obsolete aspects which have been overlooked by the commentator or which have not been clarified in detail. As a result, the work of Tafsir could be further improved. May Allah accept my efforts in the service of the Qur'an. Several commentaries need to highlight the da'wah aspect to disperse the perception spread by some that the commentators have merely spread sectarianism and that the Qur'an has been reduced to a mere commentary by bringing it down from the book of guidance. The Qur’ān is a divine guide to society that provides a universal principle for keeping the evolution of human society alive under the requirements of every age. The Holy Qur’ān is not just a book based on specific knowledge. Rather, it is a complete code of life. Its purpose is to change the class structure of society and build a non-class society. It is a fact that in every age, the scientific, intellectual and practical spirit of the Qur’ān has been translated with the help of the interpretations of the Qur’ān. The purpose of the thesis is to present the scholarly study of Tafsı ̇̄r rat al-J n n fi Tafs r al Quran in the Context of Current Urd Tafsı ̇̄rı ̇̄Trends under the efforts of the commentators in interpreting the Holy Qur’ān. The title of this thesis is “A Critical Analysis of rat ul J n n f Tafs r ul Qur’ān in the Light of Current Urd Taf sı ̇̄r Trends”. In this thesis the researcher has written English translation of Justice Mufti Taqi Uthmani. The thesis is comprised of four chapters. The first chapter deals with Tafsı ̇̄rı ̇̄ Methods in Early Times. In which the Arabic commentaries style has been discussed. In this regard, their views have also been presented, which is meant to clarify the earlier commentary methodologies. So, historical material has been brought out by various authoritative references. The second section of this chaprter is consist on the Style of Qur’ānic Exegesis in Modern Times and third Section is contain on Introductory Review of Tafsı ̇̄r S rat ul-J n n f Tafsı ̇̄r ul-Qur’ān. Chapter two presents a research review of the method of Tafs r " ra ul-J n n f Tafsı ̇̄r ul-Qur’ān. It deals with the style of Tafsı ̇̄r ra ul-j n n in terms of Tafsı ̇̄r Bil Math r. It also explains and illustrates the use of Tafsı ̇̄r r ul-J n n fi Tafsı ̇̄r ul-Qur’ān in terms of tafsir Bil-R . Moreover, describes the methodology of Tafs r S r ul J n n f Tafsı ̇̄r ul Qur’ān in the statement of eradication of fittan, Beliefs and Ethics. Chapter three has been named Tafs r S r t ul-J n n f Tafsı ̇̄r ul-Qur’ān and Modern Jurisprudential Issues. In this chapter the statement of judicial and legal issues, the economic problems of the modern age, Modern Political Issues and Current Family Issues explained in the light of this commentary. The fourth chapter includes a detailed analysis of Tafs r Literature of 21st Century and Tafs r S r t ul-J n n f Tafsı ̇̄r ul-Qur’ān. Also deals with the Introduction and Style of Selected Commentaries of Well-Known Schools of Thought written in the 21st Century (Brelv , Deoband , Ahl-e- adı ̇̄th and Sh a). For this, first of all, the introduction of the commentator has been presented and then the commentary of the commentator on various verses regarding various issues and orders. An Overview of the General Aspects of Tafs r S r t ul-J n n in the Context of Contemporary Tafs r Literature and Tafs r Sirat ul-J n n fi Tafsir ul-Qur’n and Analytical Study of the Effects of Contemporary Urd Tafs r Literature dissscssed in this regard. In the end I pray to Allah Almighty that accept my minor efforts in the service of the Holy Quran and this work will be utilized for the grace of the Holy Quran and the cause of the progress of the Muslim Ummah.