A Critical Analysis of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi’s Sufi Influences in the Indian Subcontinent

Abstract

This article examines the pivotal role of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1703-1762) in the revival of Islam in the Indian subcontinent through Sufism following the decline of the Mughal Empire. Shah Waliullah, a Sufi affiliated with the Naqshbandi Order, also distinguished himself as an Ash'ari theologian and a Hanafi jurist. Shah Waliullah's distinctive interpretation, which underscores the significance of the Quran and the Sunnah in Islamic sciences and Sufism, has played an essential role in reforming Islamic thought in the region from theoretical and practical perspectives. His works in the fields of fiqh (jurisprudence), theology, and Sufism have profoundly influenced Muslim thought on the Indian subcontinent. Shah Waliullah, a proponent of the idea that Sufism could serve as a powerful tool in the moral and spiritual development of society, not only emphasised the potential risks posed by distorted Sufism but also cautioned against deviating from the path of the Quran and the Sunnah. His understanding of Sufism is based on rejecting any activity beyond the Quran and Sunnah. He made valuable contributions to the Aqidah (Islamic creed) reform, the promotion of hadith scholarship, and the reconciliation of fiqh (jurisprudence) and Sufism. Shah Waliullah also emphasised the importance of Islamic values and culture. In this article, an attempt has been made to offer a perspective for contemporary Muslims striving to reconcile their beliefs with the demands of modern life by analysing the views of Shah Waliullah on the interpretation of Islamic sciences and Sufism.