The Style of Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the literary and research style of Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a distinguished Urdu scholar, critic, and researcher. It begins by defining “style” as the unique mode of expression that a writer or researcher adopts to create depth, clarity, and artistic impact. Drawing upon the views of Western and Urdu scholars such as Murray, Abid al-Nisa, Dr. Atish Durrani, and Rashid Hasan Khan, the chapter distinguishes research style from general literary prose. While creative writing may employ ornamentation and subjectivity, research style is characterized by objectivity, factual precision, simplicity, and complete freedom from personal bias, emotional exaggeration, or rhetorical embellishment. The author illustrates these principles through extensive quotations from Dr. Khan’s seminal research work Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Thani: Ek Tahqiqi Jaiza. Detailed examination of selected passages reveals Dr. Khan’s hallmark qualities: straightforward sentence structure, economical use of language, evidence-based argumentation, avoidance of ornate diction, and a balanced, dignified tone that maintains scholarly sobriety while remaining accessible to general readers. The chapter further explores the formative elements of style personal individuality, socio-cultural environment, linguistic habits, and inner disposition and demonstrates how these factors converged in Dr. Khan’s prose to produce a distinctive, recognizable voice. Ultimately, the study establishes Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan as a “sahib-e-asloob” (master stylist) whose research writings serve as exemplary models of modern Urdu scholarly prose clear, precise, objective, and deeply impactful. His style not only strengthens the credibility of his research but also sets a benchmark for future scholars in Urdu literary and historical studies.

Keywords: Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Research Style, Asloob, Urdu Prose, Objective Writing, Scholarly Methodology, Simplicity in Research, Literary Analysis, Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Thani, Evidence-Based Argumentation