Can we use the title Mawlānā for scholars despite the following ḥadīth of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim ولا يقل العبد لسيده مولاي prohibiting us from it?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Answer
The use of the title Mawlānā when referring to scholars is undoubtedly permissible. The phrase Mawlā has over twenty meanings in the Arabic language, and the term has been used by the Prophet ﷺ when referring to companions. In addition, over the centuries scholars have used the term to refer to scholars and leaders, and its use has been permitted by leading scholars from different schools of thought. A detailed analysis on the use of the term Mawlā and the aforementioned ḥadīth of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim is available on the following link which will provide you with further information: https://islamicportal.co.uk/the-use-of-the-term-mawlana-for-scholars/.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
16 Muḥarram 1438 / 17 October 2016