جهود علماء باكستان في خدمة القراءات : دراسة تحليلية مقارنة بين الشيخ فتح محمد ورحيم بخش الباني بتي

Abstract

This research highlights the contributions of contemporary Pakistani scholars to the field of Qur’anic readings (Qira'at), focusing on a comparative and analytical study of two prominent figures: Shaykh Fath Muhammad and Shaykh Rahim Bakhsh. The study aims to document and analyse their efforts in promoting this sacred discipline, ensuring their legacy is preserved and accessible to students and researchers.The significance of this study lies in its unique approach, being the first to systematically examine the methodologies, writings, and teaching practices of these scholars through academic, analytical, and comparative frameworks. Various methodologies were employed, including inductive analysis—tracking the principles of the ten canonical Qira'at across the Qur’an—and the use of their published and oral works to understand rules of Ottoman script, verse enumeration, and detailed variant readings. Key findings reveal that both scholars were deeply devoted to the Qur’an, dedicating their lives to teaching and preserving its readings. They authored foundational works in Urdu, tailored for non- Arabic-speaking students, and were the first in Pakistan to compile independent texts on the ten canonical Qira'at. Their teaching spanned over four decades, marked by perseverance and scholarly excellence. Their writings are distinguished by clarity, detailed analysis, and pedagogical accessibility. Notably, Shaykh Fath Muhammad’s Sharḥ al-ʿInayat al-Rahmaniyyah on the seven Qira'at and Shaykh Rahim Bakhsh’s Takmil al-Ajr fī al-Qira'at al-ʿAshr stand as comprehensive references in Urdu, effectively bridging traditional scholarship with modern linguistic needs. The study concludes with a set of recommendations to further preserve and disseminate their contributions to the science of Qira'at.