Investigating Ghalib Dehlavi’s Shii‘ Leanings And their Reflection in his Poems

Ghalib Dehlavi (1212-1285 AH) was a subtle Shiite poet of 13th century AH in Indian peninsula. He had a new look at the social and philosophical issues. Due to his status in Persian and Urdu poetry and his special style as well as his religious look and his interest in the Shiite Imams, especially Imam Ali, it is worth to investigate his ritual poems. Therefore, the present study seeks to answer the following questions: “What are the features of Ghalib Dehlavi’s thought and poetical style?” and “How have the issues of imamate and the Shiite Imams been reflected in his poems?” To explain the status of the Shiite poetry in the Indian peninsula and Ghalib Dehlavi’s poems, this study was conducted in a descriptive-analytical method and the following results were obtained: Ghalib Dehlavi was a stylistic poet who covered a new path with his innovations in words and meanings. He is considered as the pioneer of the new style and the founder of new Urdu literature. He was the first one who entered philosophical doctrines in Urdu poetry. In his odes, he admired the Prophet (PBUH) and his Ahl al-Bayt, especially Imam Ali, Hussein bin Ali, and Imam Mahdi. In this way, he showed his respect for them. He also composed some poems regarding the events of Karbala and the martyrs there, like Hazrat Abal-Fazl, Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar, and Qasim bin Hassan. He had a broad mind in religious beliefs and respected all religions.