REL 999-01
Special Readings
Philosophy of Shah Wali Allah
Mohsen Kadivar
Spring 2024
Course Description
Shah Waliullah of Dehli (1703-1762) was an Indian theologian, Sufi of the Naqshbandi order, and promulgator of modern Islamic thought who first attempted to reassess Islamic theology in the light of modern changes. A prolific writer, he produced fifty-one important books (in Arabic and Persian) in Qur’anic studies, Hadith studies, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), kalam (Islamic theology), and mysticism (Sufism).
This course explores his philosophy in general, including the philosophy of religion, theology, and mysticism. We focus on a critical analysis of two of his masterworks that were translated into English and discuss his major principles and key terms in theoretical mysticism: Ḥujjat Allāh al-Bāligha (The Conclusive Argument from God), and The Lamaḥāt and Sataʿat (Sufism and the Islamic Tradition: Flashes/Glimpses of Philosophy, and Illuminations).