Revelation and Hadith: A Scholarly Analysis of Shah Waliullah's Spiritual Insight

Abstract

This research explores the intricate relationship between revelation (waḥy) and ḥadīth through the lens of Shah Waliullah Dehlavi's spiritual insights. As a towering figure in the intellectual and spiritual history of the Indian subcontinent, Shah Waliullah offered a unique synthesis of traditional Islamic sciences and mystical experience. This study aims to analyze his recorded mukāshafāt (spiritual unveilings) in light of prophetic traditions, highlighting how his mystical experiences align with, reflect upon, or are illuminated by authentic hadiths. By examining primary texts authored by Shah Waliullah—particularly Fuyūḍ al-Ḥaramayn and Al-Tafhīmāt al-Ilāhiyyah—the research investigates his epistemological framework, his classification of knowledge, and the spiritual underpinnings that inform his understanding of revelation. The study further delves into the harmony and boundaries between Sufi spiritual experiences and Prophetic traditions, offering a nuanced view of Shah Waliullah’s methodology in reconciling the two. This analysis contributes to contemporary discourse on Islamic spirituality, hadith interpretation, and the place of mystical knowledge within the broader Islamic intellectual tradition.