dalail

Dalail is the plural form of the Arabic word dalil, meaning proof, evidence, or guide. In Islamic usage, the term appears in the titles of various works that present proofs, arguments, or guidance on religious belief, practice, or doctrine. As a literary toponym, dalail is used across different languages and scholarly traditions within the Muslim world to denote collections or compendia focused on a particular subject, such as theological proofs, legal reasoning, or devotional recitations.

In practice, works titled with dalail often aim to demonstrate or summarize key points of faith, moral guidance, or liturgical practices. The designation does not refer to a single, fixed corpus, but rather to a recurring scholarly convention that signals a compilation of evidences, arguments, or invocations intended to guide readers or worshippers.

One of the best-known uses of the term is in the devotional text commonly referred to as Dalā'il al-Khairat, a collection of prayers and salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad. Dalā'il al-Khairat has circulated widely in various editions and translations, and has influenced devotional practice in many Muslim communities, especially in parts of North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arab world. The exact authorship and dating of specific dalail works can vary by tradition, manuscript, and edition.

See also: dalil, Dala'il al-Khairat, Islamic literary titles.