The Intellectuality of Al-Dihlawi: A Review on His Contribution in Science of Prophetic Tradition

Abstract

The greatest scholar of 18th century India better known as Shah Wali Allah al-Dihlawi who wrote a number of works, especially on the science of prophetic tradition (hadith). He was a scholar who contributed many ideas to express the unification of Muslims in terms of comprehension and appreciation. Undeniably, he has strived to establish Islam to the society by recognizing the Qur’an and Sunna as the basis of reformation. Therefore, this study attempts to analyse the intellectuality of al-Dihlawi as a famous hadith scholar and his contribution towards the appreciation of Sunna of the prophet. By applying content analysis method as the study design by focusing on his great work, Hujjat al-Baligha, the study found that the transformation carried out by al-Dihlawi then he was considered a moderate figure who tried to balance between demands worldly and hereafter goals to the community. His efforts toward the unity of umma were considered positively when succeed to quell internal dissent and ideology differences between the fiqhism and Sufism, and also between the rationalists (ahl al-Ra’y) and the traditionalists (ahl al-Hadith).

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s1p302