کتاب "احقاقِ حق " کا تعارفی و منہجی مطالعہ

An introductory and methodological study of the book "Ihqaq-e-Haqq"

Abstract

The book Ihqāq-e-Ḥaqq by the eminent South Asian scholar Molana Naeem ud-Din Muradabadi represents a significant contribution to the literature of comparative religion and Islamic apologetics in the subcontinent. This article presents an introductory and methodological study of Ihqāq-e-Ḥaqq, aiming to explore its intellectual background, thematic structure, and argumentative strategies. The study examines how the author responds to religious and philosophical objections against Islamic beliefs and practices—such as monotheism, prophethood, revelation, social laws, and ritual obligations—within the broader context of Hindu-Muslim theological encounters of colonial India. Methodologically, the article analyzes Muradabadi’s approach through textual and analytical methods, focusing on his use of Qurʾānic exegesis, rational argumentation, interfaith polemics, and classical theological sources. It highlights his balanced integration of traditional scholarship and reasoned discourse, as well as his emphasis on contextual interpretation and doctrinal clarity. The study further evaluates the work’s structure, sources, and style, identifying its distinctive features: systematic refutation of objections, comparative engagement with rival doctrines (especially transmigration and polytheism), and defense of Islamic teachings on justice, mercy, and social harmony. The findings show that Ihqāq al-Ḥaqq occupies an important place in South Asian Muslim intellectual history as a representative example of modern yet tradition-rooted apologetic writing. It reflects the scholarly legacy of Ahl-e-Sunnat thought in addressing interreligious debates while preserving classical theological methodology. The article concludes that Muradabadi’s work remains relevant for contemporary discussions on interfaith dialogue, religious pluralism, and the rational defense of Islamic doctrine.