A STUDY ON IMAM RABBANI’S UNDERSTANDING OF PROPHETHOOD AND WALAYAH

Abstract

This paper proposes to investigate the conceptualization of nubuwwa (prophetic status) and walaya (sainthood) by Imām Rabbānī Aḥmad Sirhindī (d. 1034/1624), focusing particularly on the underlying theological, spiritual, and epistemological foundations of his views. Sirhindī is indeed considered to be among the most important Sufis of the post-classical period, and his conceptualization of nubuwwa and walaya played a crucial role within the formation of the Mujaddidī branch within the Naqshbandī order. In his conceptualization, the status of a prophet symbolized the ultimate form of divine guidance, which embodied both spiritual closeness to God and commitment to society, while sainthood stood for spiritual closeness to God achieved via spiritual exercise but without any legislative powers. For Sirhindī, any notion attempting to position walaya at the same level as nubuwwa would be absolute misinterpretations, and any form of Sufī spiritual exercise, such as fanā, sukr, or shathīyat, would be simply null and void when it comes to setting a precedence over the Sharīʿa-defined revelation. The author’s views concerning the sobriety versus ecstasy way and his critique over the idea of wahdat al-wujūd also provide solid proof concerning his sincere attempts to reconcile Sufism and the Sharīʿa. This paper proposes to examine Sirhindī’s views within the conceptual framework provided by the Maktubat, along with more recent interpretations concerning his work.