Symbolism and Spiritual Insights in Shah Waliullah’s Mukāshafāt: A Hadith-Based Analysis

Abstract

This study delves into the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of Mukāshafāt (revelatory visions) as experienced and recorded by Shah Waliullah al-Dihlawi, one of the most influential scholars and mystics of the Indian subcontinent. By employing a Hadith-centric analytical framework, the research examines the thematic content, metaphors, and spiritual meanings embedded in these visions. The study investigates how Shah Waliullah interprets his spiritual unveilings in light of Prophetic traditions, and how he bridges rational theology, mysticism (tasawwuf), and Hadith scholarship. Special focus is placed on the epistemological status of mukāshafāt in Islamic thought and their validation through Hadith evidence. Furthermore, the research highlights Shah Waliullah’s role in integrating symbolic mystical experiences with textual orthodoxy, offering insights into the balance between personal spirituality and the Prophetic model. The study aims to contribute to contemporary Islamic spirituality by

 re-examining classical mystical experiences within a Hadith-based framework.