A Study of the Evolution of Fiqh e Hanafi in the Early Era of Mughal Empire & the Introduction of Famous Islamic Jurists (1526-1642 C.E.)

اوائلِ عہدِ مغلیہ میں فقہ حنفی کا ارتقاء اور معروف حنفی فقہاء کا تعارف: ایک مطالعہ (1526ءتا 1642ء )

Abstract

This research is to explore the evolution of Fiqh e Hanafi in the early times of Mughal reign in the sub-continent and also to introduce some of the prominent Islamic Jurists as well as their written contribution in the development of this Fiqh. When Zaheer ud Din Babar moved from Transoxiana (Central Asia) to the subcontinent in 1526 CE, he was accompanied by a large number of religious scholars. Babar was a good author and poet, which is why he encouraged Ulama (Religious Scholars) to write various books. On his request, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Al-Khwafi penned a jurisprudence book titled Fatawa-e-Babri.[i] Similarly, the other Mughal Emperors had a close relationship with religious Scholars, and they were both enthralled and appreciative of Ulama for enriching literature, particularly in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence. As a result, there has been a rapid increase in Islamic literature.

Mughal Emperors also appointed the Judiciary (Quzaat) and Muftiyaan, who made judgements and provided answers to Shariah-based inquiries (Fatawa) in accordance with Fiqh-e-Hanafi. Similarly, many Ulama were teaching Fiqh and Usool e Fiqh in Madaris to spread Fiqh-e-Hanafi. Although the history of the subcontinent is littered with sacrifices, struggles, and hard labour by Islamic Scholars to improve this Fiqh in their different disciplines, this article only highlights the textual contributions of a select Islamic Jurists. Many well-known Islamic scholars were there, including Qazi Asad Ullah, Qazi Noorullah, Mufti Junaid Qureshi, Qazi Noor ul Haq Qadri, Shaikh Wajih-u-ddin, Qazi Hammad ud din, and others. There were two notable characters among these eminent Scholars who had a significant influence not only on the general people but also on the sub-rulers. Continent’s Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was one of them, while Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was the other Sheikh Abdul-ul-Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi.

[i]  خان، ڈاکٹر، علاؤ الدین، عہدِ اورنگ زیب میں علماء کی خدمات، البلاغ پبلیکیشنز  N-1،ابو الفضل انکلیو، نئی دہلی ۔25، ط 2013،ص144

Khan, Ala`ud Din,  E`hde Aurangzeb ma` Ulama Ki Khidmaat, (Al-Balagh Publications N-1, Abu`al Fazal in clew, New Delhi-25, 2013), P 144