Adil Najam
The media is full of “Maulana” Sufi Mohammed and “Maulana” Fazlullah.
All the television news channels are falling over themselves inserting the “Maulana” honorific not only to these two, but to everyone in their coterie.
Makes me wonder, how do you become a “Maulana“?
I mean this as serious question. Is there a process? A certification agency? An exam of some sort? A public process? The coming together of popular sentiment? What? And, how?
We as a society take honorifics seriously. As we should. Visiting Pakistan, I still get unnerved being called “Professor Sahib” and “Daktor Saab.” (Even more so since I suspect that people think that the later is somehow more important than the former!)
I understand that honorifics are an important cultural recognition. I also realize that sometimes they are simply terms of endearment bestowed by one’s fans or supporters. But they can also be publicity stunts for attaining false public credence. In the case of Aamir Liaquat Hussain (Alim OnLine) and his fake degrees, we also know that the repeated use of fake titles can, in fact, sway public opinion.
I had always assumed that there was a sense of intellectual contribution, maybe even piety, being attributed by the title of “Maulana.” I think many Pakistanis still assume so. Yet, it does not seem that many who have adorned with the title recently can make a claim to either.
My honest question merely wishes to figure out how these religious titles are being bestowed today. I assume that for such a title, there must be some criteria or process. Or is it self-proclaimed or based on looks alone? If so, is it now OK to call all the cabin crew on PIA whose facial hair is being targetted as “Maulana”?
I wonder if by throwing the title of “Maulana” on everyone, our media is actually diluting the value of the title? Demeaning the achievements of those who actually deserve it? Most importantly are they not giving “Islam a bad name” to the world at large by turning every gun-totting bearded guy like Fazlullah into a “Maulana”!
(Interestingly, till the writing of this, Wikipedia – which must never be fully trusted – calls Fazlullah a “Maulana” but Sufi Mohammad is not one in the headline, although he is in the text. Yet another reason not to take Wikipedia seriously)!
I think Salman Adil correctly pointed out the ‘authentic’ basis behind these titles. These titles mean something, and are earned, theoretically, by serious study and pious behavior.
The reality is very different. I would like to expand on an example given earlier in the discussion, that of fake doctors. We are all aware of such charlatans, who exploit poor people by pretending to be what they are not. The harm they have done is substantial, but it is not as widespread because a sizable proportion of our population considers their health important and exerts efforts in ascertaining the authenticity of their claims. Unfortunately, religion is either not important for many in Pakistan, therefore, there is no need for experts, many of us interpret it individually.
Yet, when we are unwell, we exert efforts to get to the best doctor, and once we are assured about his credentials only then do we put our lives in their hands. The current situation, where anyone can proclaim honorifics, is a direct result of our casual approach to religion, if we considered it a serious matter we would search for the learned scholars to learn from. And if that is done then it would not be easy for people to claim these titles undeservedly.
A very good and timely article which led to very informative discussion. I wonder however they forgot a once notorious Moulvi who had sentenced ZAB to death. I mean Moulvi Mushtaq. He was called Moulvi being a graduate of law from the Aligarh University perhaps. I also find some lawyers called Moulvies today even. Interestingly, a lawyer of Atak (formerly Cmpbellpur), named Ain Fatmi, claimed himself to be a ‘Rasool’ but was murdered (not martyred) for doing so a few years ago. In fact, our takfiri society, does not spare those even who give a title of ‘Nabi’ to someone, though they use the titles of Moulana, Allama, Shaheed, etc. so freely. They revere the title of ‘Sher’ (lion or tiger) , a ravenous beast, but hate to be called a donkey. Why?
Keeping in view his exploits, I would suggest the title of ‘tiger’ for Faz-Lullah instead of Moulana. What our media says?
@Sadiq, Dilawar Raees and D_A_N
Yes you gentlemen have a point and I fully agree with you, I was merely pointing out the fact that in Pakistan any “neem hakeem” can call himself a doctor and open up a clinic anywhere and start practising medicine, by doing so he is NOT breaking any laws of Pakistan. We are talking about a population which is hell bent on letting the whole world know what fine specimens of Islam they are, so I think in such a society titles like Moulana or Mullah have no importance what so ever, yes they might know more about Islam than I do, but I am not going to lose any sleep over it
My understanding is that the term Mullah (perhaps pejoratively) refers to someone who frequently delivers religious sermons in religious gatherings (Mosques etc.). If mosques are state-built and maintained then I would presume that there is or can be some mechanism put in place to judge the credentials for a person to become Molvi/Mullah. If however, the mosque is privately built, I don’t think that the State legislates academic qualifications.
My flimsy understanding of Arabic, perhaps incorrectly, leads me to think that Maulana means “Our Maulvi”, which is why I prefer saying Mullah or Maulvi or Molvi Sahib.
In my opinion, a Mullah is someone with some knowledge to deliver a sermon, and is thus supposed to be a somewhat learned prayer-leader (Imam). A mullah is not necessarily an Alim or a scholar.
1. Alim (Allama) is a scholar (religious or otherwise), and in the matters of religion a scholar of religion. So, Professor John Esposito is an Alim or an Allama as was Sir Allama Iqbal. I don
I agree with Yarjami’s post with one exception. Maulana means ” our master” not ” my master”. It also means our protector from Jahilia (ignorance). This is a big title. Govt must make some criteria. As a professional Engineer (PE) or Doctor (Dr.) we must have a minimum qualification to use thes titles. As far as I know no one agency exists that awards this title. Being around some Maulanas, I have noticed a vague criteria being applied for such a title. This is just my observation. I am not sure whether it has some validity or authencity to support it. Remember this is simply my observation. In order to become a Maulana, one must start growing a beard approximately 4 inches in length. If people around him do not recognize ( i.e.his knowledge, his piety, and his leadership) with 4 inches of beard and/or do not call him Maulana by this time, he continues to grow it until people recognize him and call him a “Maulana”. Later on he becomes “Maulana Sahib”- means much more established Maulana. One more thing here to add: one must memorize some verses from the Holy Quran without knowing the meanings, and be able to quote some Hadith as well. All without knowing the meanings or understanding. When some asks a question, he touches his long beard, and smiles simultaneously, and then he recites those verses or blurps out Hadith. Then he says Allah and His Rasul knows the best. This is common standard for most of Maulanas. I hope this will help. Keep up the good work Mr. Adil Najam.