A Scholarly Analysis of the Features, Methodology, and Style of Sharḥ Badhl al-Majhūd by ʿAllāmah Khalīl Aḥmad Sahāranpūrī

شرح بذل المجہود (علامہ خلیل احمد سہارنپوری) کی خصوصیات،منہج اور اسلوب کا تحقیقی جائزہ

Abstract

Ḥadīth and Sunnah, being the fundamental sources of Islamic teachings, have always been a focal point of scholarly engagement, with a tradition of critical analysis and commentary dating back to the first century after Hijrah. Among the canonical collections, Sunan Abī Dāwūd holds a significant position as one of the four primary Sunan, prompting extensive scholarly attention through detailed exegeses. One of the most comprehensive commentaries on Sunan Abī Dāwūd is Sharḥ Badhl al-Majhūd, authored by the eminent ḥadīth scholar and jurist of the Indian subcontinent, ʿAllāmah Khalīl Aḥmad Sahāranpūrī. This research critically examines the defining characteristics, methodological framework, and stylistic elements of Sharḥ Badhl al-Majhūd, assessing its scholarly depth and significance within the discipline of ḥadīth sciences. By analyzing eleven key dimensions of Sahāranpūrī’s contributions, this study highlights his expertise in textual criticism, ḥadīth authentication, jurisprudential interpretations, and linguistic precision.

Additionally, this article underscores the broader role of subcontinental scholars in the preservation and advancement of ḥadīth studies, illustrating their rigorous approach in defending and elucidating the prophetic traditions. The research emphasizes Sharḥ Badhl al-Majhūd as a scholarly masterpiece, demonstrating its enduring academic relevance and impact on ḥadīth scholarship. By offering a systematic review of Sahāranpūrī’s methodological contributions, this study seeks to reaffirm the intellectual legacy of subcontinent scholars in shaping the discipline of ḥadīth sciences.