📚 Discovering Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya: The 🕌 Legal Pillar of Hanafi Jurisprudence

Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya: Definition, Meaning, and Impact

Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya: A compilation of the authoritative doctrines of the Hanafi school of law. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (r. 1658–1707) and created by a team of religious scholars led by Shaykh Nizam Burhanpuri, the Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya is one of the most comprehensive collections of Hanafi law. It continues to wield significant influence in South Asia.

Etymology and Background

The term Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya can be broken down as follows:

• Fatawa (Arabic: فتاوى) plurals of fatwa, meaning a formal ruling or interpretation on a point of Islamic law given by a qualified legal scholar.
• al-Alamgiriyya: Derives from “Alamgir,” the title of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, meaning “Conqueror of the World”.

Historical Facts and Dates

• Commissioning Date: Circa 1667 CE.
• Duration of Compilation: Approximately 8 years.
• Mughal Emperor: Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658-1707) initiated the compilation.
• Chief Scholar: Shaykh Nizam Burhanpuri led the project.
• Influence: It has been particularly influential in the Muslim judicial systems of South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

The Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya represents a critical integration of Islamic jurisprudence within broader Mughal governance. It mirrors similar attempts by other Muslim rulers to codify and consolidate religious law, such as the Mamluk sultans and the Ottoman Empire’s “Mecelle”.

Synonyms and Related Terms

• Fatawa-e-Alamgiri
• Alamgiriyya
• Aurangzeb’s Fatawa

Related Terms with Definitions

• Fatwa (فتوى): A legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader.
• Hanafi: The school of Islamic jurisprudence founded by Imam Abu Hanifa, prevalent in parts of the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.
• Sharia: Islamic canonical law based on the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith).
• Mughal Empire: A significant empire in the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th to the mid-19th century, noted for its cultural contributions and religious pluralism.

Exciting Facts

• It’s one of the few Islamic legal texts commissioned by a ruling emperor.
• The Fatawa includes a wide range of legal issues such as criminal, civil, and family law to trade and commerce.
• It has served as a foundational legal resource in many South Asian legal systems even after the fall of the Mughal Empire.

Quotations From Notable Writers

• Sir Jadunath Sarkar: “The Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya stands as a monumental effort in codifying the vast ocean of Hanafi jurisprudence, reflecting the Mughal Empire’s sophisticated approach to governance.”

Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Studies

• “Mughal Nobility Under Aurangzeb” by M. Athar Ali: This book provides context about the governance and administrative policies during Aurangzeb’s rule.
• “The Mughal Empire” by John F. Richards: A comprehensive history of the Mughal Empire includes a chapter on Aurangzeb and his compilations.
• “Introduction to Islamic Law” by Joseph Schacht: A standard introductory text giving a broad overview of Islamic jurisprudence, including the role of compilations like the Fatawa.

Conclusion

Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya remains a seminal text within Islamic legal tradition, reflecting both the scholarly diligence and administrative acuity of Mughal India under Emperor Aurangzeb.

Published by Bilal Khan on October 4, 2023

“Justice without wisdom is like a body without a soul. In understanding divine justice through works like the Fatawa al-Alamgiriyya, we glimpse the soul of Islamic jurisprudence.”