تفسیر ضیاء القرآن اور ضیاء النبیﷺ: صوفیانہ جہات، تحقیقی منہج اور فکری اثرات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Tafsir Diya' al-Qur'an and Diya' al-Nabi: An Analytical Study of Sufi Dimensions, Research Methodology and Intellectual Impacts

Abstract

This research paper presents a comprehensive analytical study of two magnum opuses by Justice Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari: Tafsir Diya' al-Qur'an and Diya' al-Nabi. The study critically examines the Sufi dimensions, research methodology, and intellectual impacts of these seminal works in contemporary Islamic scholarship. Tafsir Diya' al-Qur'an, a five-volume Urdu exegesis completed in 1979, uniquely blends classical exegetical principles with Sufi spirituality, emphasizing tazkiyah (self-purification), dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and profound reflection on Qur'anic verses. The research highlights how the author integrated the intellectual depth of classical commentators like Tabari, Razi, and Ibn Kathir with the spiritual wisdom of Sufi masters, creating a distinctive synthesis of reason and love. The study also analyzes Diya' al-Nabi, a seven-volume biographical work on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which combines rigorous historical research with an ardent, devotional style rooted in the author's deep spiritual connection to the Prophet. The research identifies several key Sufi dimensions in both works: the concept of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the perfect manifestation of divine attributes, the spiritual interpretation of miracles particularly the Mi'raj as an allegory of the soul's journey toward Allah, the esoteric wisdom behind battles, and practical guidance for spiritual purification. The study concludes that both works represent a significant revival of Sufi thought in the 20th century, presenting Sufism not as an isolated ascetic practice but as a comprehensive spiritual and ethical system rooted firmly in Qur'an and Sunnah, with profound impacts on both academic circles and popular spirituality in South Asia.