A Comparative, Research-Based Study on the Subject of Interfaith Reconciliation with Reference to Imam Abdul Wahab Asharani and His Book, "Al-Meezan Al-Kubra

Abstract

Imam Abdul Wahab Asharani was a prominent religious scholar of the 10th century Hijri, primarily following the Shafi'i school of thought but also making significant contributions across various areas of Islamic jurisprudence. He is most well-known for his expertise in Sufism and spiritual practices, but he was a multifaceted figure who excelled in many aspects. Imam Asharani's remarkable work in jurisprudence, the sayings of jurisprudential imams, jurisprudential evidence, principles of jurisprudence, and the integration of different Islamic denominations was carried out with a notably modern approach. He accomplished outstanding work in reconciling diverse opinions among jurists. His major work, "Al-Meezan Al-Kubra," is a testament to his exceptional skill. This book revolves around the intricate task of harmonizing and combining the various viewpoints and perspectives of jurist imams. In essence, it demonstrates the impressive feat of gathering and synthesizing different opinions and pieces of evidence, revealing the underlying non-conflicting nature of seemingly opposing issues. Imam Asharani painstakingly showed that no juristic opinions of imams strayed from Islamic Sharia. This article highlights the achievements of Imam Abdul Wahab Asharani and his insightful work, "Al-Meezan Al-Kubra," as well as his theory of reconciliation.