Ismail ibn Abd al-Ghani al-Dihlawi
- Died
- 1246 AH
- Born in
- Delhi
Ismail ibn Abd al-Ghani al-Dihlawi (1193–1246 AH / 1779–1831 CE) was an Indian scholar, preacher, and military commander, best known for his theological reform treatise Taqwiyat al-Iman ("Strengthening of Faith") and his leadership in the jihad movement alongside Ahmad ibn Irfan al-Barilawi.
Lineage and Early Life
Ismail was born in Delhi on 12 Rabi' al-Thani 1193 AH (1779 CE). He belonged to the prominent scholarly lineage of Shah Wali Allah al-Dihlawi, being the son of Abd al-Ghani ibn Wali Allah ibn Abd al-Rahim al-Umari al-Dihlawi. His father died during his childhood, and he was raised under the guardianship of his paternal uncle Abd al-Qadir ibn Wali Allah al-Dihlawi, under whom he studied foundational curriculum texts. He further pursued his education under his other paternal uncles, Rafi al-Din al-Dihlawi and Abd al-Aziz al-Dihlawi, accompanying them for an extended period until he gained deep mastery across both the rational and traditional sciences.
Religious Reform and Military Campaign
Al-Dihlawi aligned himself with the reformist spiritual leader Ahmad ibn Irfan al-Barilawi, receiving Sufi path instruction from him. In 1237 AH (1821–1822 CE), he accompanied Ahmad on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. Upon returning to India, he spent two years touring towns and rural regions under Ahmad's direction, preaching against polytheistic practices and religious innovations, and instructing students, among whom was Wilayat Ali al-Sadiqpuri.
In 1241 AH (1825–1826 CE), al-Dihlawi set out with Ahmad to the northwestern frontier lands to launch a military campaign. Serving effectively as a chief counselor to Ahmad, he organized forces, managed logistics, and directly engaged in major battles.
Standing and Controversies
Al-Dihlawi was noted for his intellect, eloquence, and devotion to Sunnah-based reform; Muhsin ibn Yahya al-Tirhiti described him in al-Yani al-Jani as among the most uncompromising adherents to religion, staunchly upholding prophetic traditions while condemning innovations and their practitioners. His outspoken theological writings, particularly his Urdu work Taqwiyat al-Iman, aroused intense dispute among his contemporaries and later scholars. Opponents fiercely criticized his positions and declared him an unbeliever, while supporters defended and praised his reformist efforts.
In jurisprudential questions, al-Dihlawi adopted several specific preferences: he held that raising the hands (raf al-yadayn) during the transitions of prayer is a non-emphasized recommended practice (sunnah ghayr mu'akkadah) that earns reward without fault on the one who omits it; that raising the index finger during the tashahhud is irrefutably established; and that both sides hold strong evidentiary support regarding the recitation of the Quran behind an imam.
Death
Al-Dihlawi was killed in action alongside Ahmad ibn Irfan at the Battle of Balakot in the frontier territory of Yaghistan in 1246 AH (1831 CE).
Answer updated
List of Works
Risalat al-Tawhid al-Musamma bi Taqwiyat al-Iman (The Treatise on Monotheism Named "Strengthening of Faith"), widely known as Taqwiyat al-Iman, is a theological treatise on Islamic monotheism (tawhid) and the refutation of polytheistic practices (shirk). Originally composed in Urdu in an accessible style for a general audience, the text focuses on reforming religious practice by calling for sincere devotion to God, warning against invoking intermediaries or seeking aid at shrines, and presenting straightforward explanations of Quranic verses and prophetic traditions.