برصغیر کے اردو تفسیری ادب میں صوفیانہ رجحانات تفسیر بیان القرآن از مولانا اشرف علی تھانوی کا تخصیصی مطالعہ

Abstract

This study examines the presence of mystical themes within the Urdu Qur'anic commentary Bayan al-Qur'an by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, a prominent religious scholar of the Indian subcontinent. The paper focuses on how Thanwi integrates elements of Sufi thought—such as spiritual refinement, inner transformation, divine love, and the concept of kashf (spiritual unveiling)—within a traditional framework of Qur'anic exegesis. Rather than presenting an overtly mystical or symbolic reading, Thanwi employs a subtle and disciplined approach, grounding his interpretations in mainstream Islamic scholarship while drawing upon his deep familiarity with Sufi ethics and practice. By comparing his style with other major Sufi exegetes in the region, the article highlights the unique balance he maintains between rational interpretation and spiritual insight. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how Urdu tafsir evolved as a medium for expressing both theological precision and inner religious experience during the late colonial period.