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Al-Fawz al-Kabir
Book by Shah Waliullah Dehlawi From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Al-Fawz al-Kabir fi Usul al-Tafsir (Arabic: الفوز الكبير في أصول التفسير) or simply Al-Fawz al-Kabir, is an 18th-century Arabic book on the principles of Qur'anic exegesis, written by Shah Waliullah Dehlawi. The work aims to provide insights not found in earlier tafsir books and emphasizes a direct understanding of the Qur'an. It is one of the author's major works and has been translated into several languages. The book has also been used as a textbook in many higher education institutions across the Indian subcontinent.
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In the preface of the book, Shah Waliullah Dehlawi states that the book provides insights into the principles of Quranic interpretation (tafsir) not found in earlier works and offers guidance for a better understanding of the Quran.[1] The work presents a methodical and rational approach to tafsir, encouraging readers to engage directly with the Quranic text.[2]
Although the book does not encompass all aspects of usul al-tafsir (the methodology of exegesis), it reflects Waliullah's independent reasoning and intellectual synthesis of scholarly and mystical traditions. His background in both madrasa learning and Sufi thought, as well as his view that divine knowledge ('ilm al-ladunni) informs spiritual understanding, shaped the analytical and reflective tone of the work.[1]
Al-Fawz al-Kabir has been widely circulated and translated, and it has been used as a textbook in many higher education institutions across the Indian subcontinent.[3] Early editions include those printed in Egypt (1295 AH) alongside Firuzabadi's Sifr al-Sa'ada and in Delhi (1296 AH) appended to Mu'in al-Din al-Iji's Jami' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an. Another edition was produced in Pusad by the Muhammadiyya Press, with the first four sections in Persian and the fifth, titled al-Fath al-Kabir, in Arabic. Later independent editions appeared in India (1405/1984) and Beirut (1407/1987). A comprehensive bibliographic overview is provided in Mehmet Sofuoğlu's Turkish translation published in Istanbul in 1980.[1]
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The work is organized into five main sections, each addressing distinct aspects of Quranic interpretation. The first section presents what Waliullah identifies as the five principal themes in the Quran. These include the science of divine injunctions, covering rulings related to worship, ethics, and governance; the science of disputation, addressing arguments against Jews, Christians, polytheists, and hypocrites; the science of divine favours, describing God's blessings in creation and human sustenance; the science of historical events, highlighting lessons from divine reward and retribution; and the science concerning death and the hereafter, explaining resurrection, judgment, paradise, and hell. Collectively, these themes encompass the Quran's moral, theological, and legal dimensions.[4]
The second section examines interpretive challenges in understanding the Quran. Topics include gharib al-Quran (rare expressions), naskh (abrogation), asbab al-nuzul (occasions of revelation), literary features, and the distinction between clear (muhkam) and ambiguous (mutashabih) verses. Waliullah analyzes the issue of abrogation by reviewing classifications provided by al-Suyuti and concludes that only a limited number of verses were subject to abrogation. The section reflects a systematic approach to reconciling seemingly conflicting scriptural rulings.[1]
The third section focuses on the Quran's style and structure. Waliullah observes that the Quran is not arranged by subject but according to thematic and rhetorical principles. He compares its expression to Arabic poetry to illustrate its eloquence and distinguishes its moral and spiritual objectives from literary composition. The repetition and distribution of topics are interpreted as a deliberate method to reinforce key messages.[1]
The fourth section categorizes different methods of Quranic interpretation, including theological (kalami), juridical (fiqhi), linguistic (lugawi), and mystical (tasawwufi) approaches. Waliullah examines early exegetical traditions from the Companions and Followers, particularly regarding occasions of revelation and abrogation. The section also addresses interpretive principles such as deriving rulings, analyzing semantics and eloquence, and distinguishing between apparent and hidden meanings, highlighting the diversity of scholarly methodologies.[1]
The fifth section supplements the discussion on gharib al-Quran and asbab al-nuzul. Waliullah reviews individual surahs, collecting narrations that clarify uncommon words and the circumstances of revelation. This section provides linguistic and historical information necessary for understanding the Quran's vocabulary and context.[1]
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