Shah Waliullah Dehlvi's Concept of Iqamat-E-Din: Understanding, Sources and Intellectual Influences

Abstract

Shah Waliullah Dehlvi (1703–1762) stands as a towering figure in the intellectual and reformative tradition of the Indian subcontinent. His concept of Iqamah-e-Din (establishment of religion) forms a central pillar in his thought, aiming not only at personal piety but at the establishment of a just and divinely guided social and political order. This paper explores Shah Waliullah’s understanding of Iqamah-e-Din, tracing its roots in the Qur’an and Hadith, as well as examining the influence of classical Islamic scholarship, particularly the works of scholars like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Taymiyyah. The research also analyzes how Shah Waliullah contextualized Iqamah-e-Din to the socio-political challenges of Mughal India. His intellectual contributions reflect a synthesis of spirituality, jurisprudence, and political insight, offering a timeless model of religious revival. This study situates Shah Waliullah's thought within the broader Islamic tradition and assesses its lasting influence on later Islamic movements in South Asia.