Historian, Debater, And Scholar Of Comparative Religion, Qazi Sulaiman Mansoorpuri’s Study Of Religions: (Part One)

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 10 September 2025 Abstract: Qazi Sulaiman Mansoorpuri (1867–1930) was a renowned scholar, historian, and biographer of the Prophet (peace be upon him). His major works include Rahmat al-Lil Alameen, Khutbat-i-Sulaiman, Burhan, and others. He debated with Christians, Qadianis, and Arya Samajis, showing deep knowledge of comparative religion. In Rahmat al-Lil Alameen, he used the Bible and other scriptures to highlight prophecies about Islam. His approach was respectful, avoiding harshness, and based on Qur’an and Hadith principles. He studied Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, and Magian beliefs. In Khutbat-i-Sulaiman, he examined missionary religions, concluding that Buddhism was not truly missionary. Main Points: 1. Mansoorpuri was a historian, debater, and comparative religion scholar. 2. Rahmat al-Lil Alameen used Bible references proving Islamic prophecies. 3. His method showed respect, tolerance, and Qur’an-based dialogue principles. 4. He studied Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Magians. 5. Buddhism not missionary; Christianity considered missionary faith. ------ Qazi Sulaiman Mansoorpuri (1867–1930) was a scholar whose academic and research contributions were very wide in scope. He wrote many valuable books on Islamic studies and theology. Some of his well-known works include Al-Jamal wal-Kamal, Rahmat al-Lil Alameen, Ashab Badr, Meher-e-Nubuwwat, and Sayyid al-Bashar. In addition, he authored many books in response to Christianity, such as Istiqaamat, Khutbat-i- Sulaiman, Ta’yid al-Islam, and Burhan. These works contain detailed discussions on the questions raised by Christian missionaries and the study of their religion. He also wrote Makatib Sulaiman and Masah ‘ala al-Jawrabayn. From these writings, it becomes clear that he was not only a good commentator of the Qur’an, historian, and biographer of the Prophet (peace be upon him), but also an excellent debater. Besides Christian missionaries, he also debated with Qadianis and Arya Samajis. For this reason, he possessed deep knowledge in the fields of comparative religion and the study of religions. His books show that he carried out detailed and interesting discussions on religions. In Rahmat al-Lil Alameen, for example, he used references from revealed scriptures. This book on the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is of great importance and is divided into three volumes. Within it, several aspects of comparative religion are discussed. Comparative Religion Discussions in Rahmat al-Lil Alameen: In this book, Qazi Sahib discussed many topics such as: The birth of Prophet Abraham two thousand years before Christ, his journey to Egypt, and his marriage to Princess Hajra. Equality of Ismail and Ishaq in the Torah. The division of Sham and Arabia between the sons of Abraham. The twelve sons of Ismail and the twelve sons of Jacob. The dominance of Abraham’s descendants over regions near the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The religions of Arabia before the Prophet’s mission. Abraham as the father of nations. The spiritual status of Lady Hajra. Errors in Christian historical accounts about the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The application of John’s Book of Revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), showing him as truthful and trustworthy. The mention of the Prophet’s migration in the Book of Isaiah. Prophecies about the Prophet in the Torah. The presence of references to the prophethood of the descendants of Ismail in the Bible. The personality of Christ in the Qur’an. A description of different European sects. In the second volume, he discussed the lives of earlier prophets and also engaged with the Bible. Under the Qur’anic verse “So that you may know the number of years and calculation”, he gave a comprehensive study of the calendars of Muslims and other nations. In the third volume, too, we find various debates related to comparative religion. In addition, some notes on this subject are also found in his personal diary Bayaaz. His Method and Etiquette in Comparative Religion: In his writings, Qazi Mansoorpuri always adopted a tolerant and respectful approach. Ishaq Bhatti, in his book Qazi Sulaiman Mansoorpuri: His Era, Family, Teachers, and Contemporary Scholars, highlights the key features of his method: Study the original books of other religions carefully. Understand their style and priorities before addressing their followers. Explain Islam with the belief that guidance ultimately comes from Allah. Show respect when mentioning the names of other religions and their elders. Avoid harsh criticism or ridicule. Provide arguments according to the capacity of the audience. This approach was based on the Qur’an and Hadith. For example, the Qur’an commands: Do not abuse the Gods of other religions. If Allah willed, all mankind would have been one religion. Every religion has its own law and trial. For you your religion, and for me mine. Every nation had a messenger who spoke to them in their own language. The Hadith also gives guidance: Learn the language of other nations to protect yourself from their harm. Wisdom is the lost property of a believer—take it wherever you find it. When Muslims conquer the Zoroastrians of Iran, treat them like the People of the Book. Thus, Qazi Sahib avoided aggressive or violent tones, and his works reflect this moderate approach. His book Sayyid al-Bashar shows this clearly, where he respectfully mentions important figures of Hinduism and Sikhism. He also presented the religious, cultural, and political thoughts of Hindus, Jews, Magians, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. However, he did not write a full separate book on non-Semitic religions. Still, useful discussions can be found in Rahmat al-Lil Alameen, Khutbat Sulaiman, Istiqaamat, Burhan, Makatib Sulaiman, and Sayyid al-Bashar. His Principles of Preaching: In his book Khutbat- i- Sulaiman (a collection of ten sermons), he wrote that preaching has two conditions: 1. There should be a command for preaching within the sacred texts of that religion. 2. The messenger or guide of that religion should have practised this command. According to his research, only Buddhism and Christianity are considered missionary religions. But after analysing Buddhist history—from the time of Buddha’s six disciples until its peak period—he concluded that Buddhism was never spread to non-Indians or people of other faiths. It remained confined to Hindus in India. For this reason, even Buddhist scholars themselves have debated whether Buddhism is a religion or simply an ethical system. Arya Samaj argued that Buddha came only to protect Vedic religion, not to found a new one. Qazi Sahib pointed out that since Buddha prohibited the use of Sanskrit and made Pali a sacred language, the Arya Samaj claim becomes weak. Yet, when we see Buddha’s lifestyle—standing silently with a begging bowl in front of houses, taking food quietly, and moving on—Qazi Sahib observed that such a principle cannot run the world. For this reason, one Buddhist writer admitted that the failure of Buddhism was due to its own principles. Hence, among Buddhists themselves, one group regards it as missionary, while another denies it. ----- Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Author and Columnist URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/scholar-comparative-religion-qazi-mansoorpuri-part-one/d/136783 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism