Farahi, Hamiduddin

Farahi, Hamiduddin

Overview

Farahi, Hamiduddin - Farahi, Hamiduddin (d. 1930) was an influential Indian Qur’an exegete renowned for his revolutionary interpretive focus on nazm, the thematic and structural coherence in the Qur’an. He proposed that the Qur’anic surahs (chapters) are unified compositions each with a distinct and systematically developed theme. This approach offers transformative insights when surahs are explained within their context.

Etymology

• Hamiduddin Farahi: حمیدالدین فراہی‎
  • Hamiduddin (حمیدالدین): Hamid means “praised” and uddin means “of the religion.”
  • Farahi (فراہی‎): Derived from his birthplace, Phariha, a village in India.

Contributions

• Nazm Theory: Farahi’s emphasis on nazm challenged traditional views that considered verses and surahs as somewhat loosely connected. According to his analysis, the Qur’an is a literary masterpiece where each verse and surah interconnects seamlessly to form a coherent, divine discourse.
• Contextual Interpretation: Through his study, Farahi demonstrated that understanding the context of surahs unveils new layers of meaning and insight.

Key Works

Farahi authored numerous works in Urdu and Arabic:

• Mufradāt al-Qurān: A study of Qur’anic vocabulary.
• Nizām al-Qurān: His most seminal work on the coherence of the Qur’an.
• Tafsīr Surah al-Fātihah: Commentary on the opening chapter of the Qur’an.

Influence

Farahi’s principles greatly impacted subsequent Qur’anic exegesis. Scholars such as Amin Ahsan Islahi and Javed Ahmad Ghamidi developed his themes, furthering the discourse on Qur’anic coherence.

Recommended Readings

• Islahi, Amin Ahsan. Tadabbur-i-Qur’an. A direct follower of Farahi, continued his mentor’s legacy.
• Rahman, Fazlur. Major Themes of the Qur’an. Provides insights into thematic coherence inspired by Farahi’s methodologies.

Takeaways and Conclusion

Hamiduddin Farahi’s work underscores the literary sophistication of the Qur’an. His insistence on nazm as an organizing principle of the Qur’anic text marked a pivotal shift in Islamic exegesis. By fostering contextual interpretations, Farahi’s legacy continues to influence contemporary approaches to Qur’anic scholarship.

Further Studies

For a deeper delve into Farahi’s theories and their subsequent impact:

• Approaches to the Qur’an by G.S. Reynolds.
• The Structure and Qur’anic Interpretation by Raymond Farrin.

By studying Farahi’s comprehensive approach to the Qur’an, one gains profound respect for its internal coherence and thematic harmony, thereby enriching one’s understanding of Islamic sacred texts.