A Critical Analysis of the Origin, Evolution, and Development of Urdu Exegetical Literature in the Indian Subcontinent

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and development of Qur’ānic Tafāsīr (exegeses) in the Urdu language within the Indian subcontinent. It traces the history of Urdu translations and tafāsīr from their inception. The narrative begins with the early efforts of translation, highlighting Qāẓī Muḥammad Muʿazzam Sambhalī’s translation in the 18th century, which mixed Arabic and Persian elements. The first formal Urdu tafsīr, “K͟hudā’ī Niʿmat” by Shāh Murādullāh Anṣārī Sambhalī, appeared in the late 12th century AH, focusing on Juz ʿAmma. Key milestones include Ḥakīm Sharīf Khān Dehlvī’s unpublished complete translation and Shāh Rafiʿuddīn’s first complete word-for-word translation in 1200 AH. The article further explores significant Urdu tafāsīr, noting their unique contributions and contexts. It also explores the characteristics and impact of various exegeses, offering insights into their methodologies and the socio-religious contexts in which they were written. The article introduces key figures and their contributions, highlights the scholarly efforts that have significantly enriched the understanding and interpretation of the Holy Qur’ān in Urdu, reflecting a vibrant tradition of religious and linguistic scholarship in the Indian subcontinent.