Shiraz to the Farangi Mahall

SHIRAZ TO THE FARANGI MAHALL: A LINK FORGING 300 YEARS OF ADVANCED INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSE

The Farangi Mahall tradition takes immense pride in its illustrious lineage of scholars. Recognising these influential figures helps us understand the foundation for the remarkable heights achieved by the Farangi Mahallis over the next three centuries.

A Chain of Learning

Mullā Nizāmuddīn, the namesake for the Dars-i-Nizāmī curriculum, was the son of the esteemed scholar Mullā Qutbuddīn al-Shahīd. Mulla Qutbuddīn is considered the ‘head bequeather’ of the Farangi Mahall family, with most scholarly lineages in India ultimately tracing back to him.

Interestingly, Mullā Qutbuddīn inherited knowledge from the Shīrāzī tradition through his teacher, Mawlānā Dānyāl. This connection deepens further as Mawlānā Dānyāl himself had been a student of Mawlānā Abd al-Salām al-Dīwī, who also taught Mullā Qutbuddīn's father.

A pivotal moment occurred earlier when Mawlānā Abd al-Salām al-Dīwī travelled to Lahore to revise his knowledge with his new teacher, the illustrious scholar, Mawlānā Abd al-Salām al-Lāhorī. Remarkably, both scholars shared the same name. This encounter significantly influenced Muslim intellectual discourse in India for centuries to come.

Rooted in the Shīrāzī Tradition

Mawlānā Abd al-Salām al-Lāhorī was not an isolated figure. He, in turn, benefitted from the Shīrāzī tradition, ultimately tracing his lineage back to the prominent scholar al-Muhaqqiq al-Dawwānī. Notably, Mawlānā Abd al-Salām al-Lāhorī was a fortunate student of the great Allāma of the East, Fathullāh al-Shīrāzī.

A Flourishing of Scholarship

Through this remarkable chain of teachers, the Farangi Mahall became deeply influenced by the Shīrāzī school, particularly with regards to the maqulat tradition (rational sciences). This influence cultivated a uniqueness in subsequent Muslim scholarship over the next three centuries, leading to a ‘golden age’ that deserves further exploration.

Enduring Legacy

Mullā Qutbuddīn al-Shahīd, the head of the family, is particularly remembered for his exceptional supercommentary on the ‘Sharh al-‘Aqā’id al-Jalaliyah/‘Aḍudīyyah’. His work can be considered as an independent contribution to Kalam (Islamic theology) and is known for its profound discussions & deep insights.

Generations later, Mawlānā Abd al-Haq Khairabadi continued this tradition of excellence with his supercommentary on the ‘al-‘Aqā’id al-‘Aḍudīyyah’. His work also advanced the field of Kalamic discourse.

These achievements were not isolated events but rather the culmination of a rich tradition built on solid foundations. The sanad of the Farangi Mahall serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of scholarship. 

Their subsequent remarkable insights into the sciences were not spontaneous, but rather the culmination of a tradition with strong foundations. We aspire to be humble inheritors of this rich legacy.

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