A Methodological Study of ʿAbd al-Ḥakīm Siyālkōtī’s Ḥāshiyah on al-Bayḍāwī

حاشیہ عبدالحکیم سیالکوٹی علی البیضاو ی کامنہجی مطالعہ

Abstract

His style is marked by dense argumentation, rational analysis, and scholarly depth. He presents nuanced and balanced discussions on sensitive theological themes such as Oneness of God, miracles, predestination (qada o qadar), and the infallibility of Anbia Kiram﷩. His tafsir reflects strong alignment with Ashʿari theological principles, particularly in the emphasis on allegorical interpretation of Divine attributes, the rejection of anthropomorphism, and the integration of reason with revelation. Elements of Sufism also emerge, such as references to “spiritual journey to God” called suluk “light of guidance” and “inner path” indicating that the author possessed not only intellectual acumen but also spiritual insight. His commentary reveals him to be both a master of Islamic philosophy and a skillful practitioner of dialectical reasoning. In conclusion, Tafsir Abd al-Ḥakim Siyalkoti is a partial yet profoundly impactful exegetical work that exemplifies the tradition of rational Qur’anic commentary, philosophical interpretation, and Ilm al-kalam in Mughal India. It remains a vital source of analysis, critique, and contemplation for contemporary scholars of tafsir, theology, and Islamic intellectual history. Within the intellectual heritage of the Indian subcontinent, the scholarly contributions of Mulla Abdul Ḥakim Siyalkoṭi occupy a prominent place, particularly his ḥashiya (marginal commentary) on the renowned Tafsir al-Bayḍawi. This work represents a significant chapter in the tradition of philosophical and theological Qur’anic exegesis. The exegetical approach employed by the author is not confined to traditional narration; rather, it is based on rigorous principles of rational argumentation, logic, Sufism, linguistics, grammar, and Ilm al-kalam (Islamic theology). While formally a commentary on Tafsir al-Bayḍawi, this ḥashiya surpasses mere exposition by offering critical evaluations, philosophical syntheses, and independent theological perspectives.