Literary aspects in Abjad al Ulum of Nawab Siddiqu Hasan Khan Al Khannuji An analytical study

Abstract

This study, entitled “Literary Features in Abjad al-‘Ulum by Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khanal-Qannawji: An Analytical Study,” aims to explore the literary and rhetorical characteristicsof the encyclopedia Abjad al-‘Ulum and to highlight its scientific and literary value. Theresearch also seeks to shed light on the contributions of its author, Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khanal-Qannawji, to Arabic language and literature. The significance of the study stems from theprominent position of the encyclopedia within the Arab-Islamic intellectual heritage and fromthe distinguished role played by Siddiq Hasan Khan as one of the leading Indian scholars ofthe nineteenth century who enriched Arabic scholarship through his numerous works.The study adopts the descriptive-analytical method. Relevant materials concerning theencyclopedia and its author were collected and examined in order to identify the mostprominent literary and rhetorical features found in the text. The research also discusses thepolitical, social, and cultural environment in which Siddiq Hasan Khan lived, his scholarlybiography, intellectual contributions, and methodology of authorship. In addition, it introducesAbjad al-‘Ulum, its contents, and its significance among encyclopedic works.The dissertation is organized into four main chapters. The first chapter examines the life, era,and scholarly achievements of Siddiq Hasan Khan al-Qannawji. The second chapter is devotedto the study of Abjad al-‘Ulum, its structure, content, and scholarly importance. The thirdchapter analyzes the rhetorical devices employed in the encyclopedia, including quotation,antithesis, rhyme, simile, metaphor, and other stylistic embellishments. The fourth chapterinvestigates the literary texts incorporated into the work, such as poetry, proverbs, maxims, andvarious forms of literary citation.The study concludes that Abjad al-‘Ulum represents a unique model of integration betweenscience and literature. Its author successfully combined scholarly precision with refined literaryexpression. The findings reveal the extensive use of rhetorical and literary elements throughoutthe encyclopedia, as well as frequent references to the Holy Qur’an, Prophetic traditions,Arabic poetry, proverbs, and wisdom literature, all of which enrich the scientific content andenhance its aesthetic value. The research further demonstrates Siddiq Hasan Khan’s masteryof the Arabic language and his ability to employ it effectively in presenting knowledge withclarity, depth, and elegance.The study ultimately concludes that Abjad al-‘Ulum is not merely an encyclopedic compilationof sciences and knowledge; rather, it is a significant literary and scholarly achievement thatreflects the author’s vast learning, cultural breadth, and command of Arabic expression.Consequently, the encyclopedia constitutes an important source for literary and rhetoricalstudies and stands as a testimony to the valuable contributions of Indian scholars to thedevelopment and preservation of Arabic language and literature