"غریب القرآن فی لغات الفرقان" لمرزا أبي الفضل میں قرآنی مفردات کی تشریحات (تجزیاتی مطالعہ)

Abstract

Mirza Abul Fazl was a prominent intellectual and reformist thinker of British India, deeply influenced by rationalist and modernist trends of his era. Unlike traditional exegetes, he adopted a linguistic and rational approach to interpret the Qur’anic lexicon, often differing from classical scholars in both method and conclusions. This paper explores the methodology he employed,and the philosophical foundations of his interpretations. It also analyzes selected Qur’anic terms interpreted by Abul Fazl, comparing them with classical tafsir literature to highlight the extent and nature of divergence. While his approach brings linguistic depth and originality, it also raises questions  regarding the  role  of personal  reasoning in interpreting divine texts. The study concludes that Mirza Abul Fazl’s work represents a significant shift toward  rationalism in Qur’anic studies in South Asia. However, it also necessitates a balanced critique to evaluate the academic validity and limitations of his interpretations. This article contributes to the broader discourse on modernist approaches to Islamic exegesis in the subcontinent.