Q: Is it permissible to call a learned scholar “Moulana”, as this is used SPECIFICALLY in the Qur’aan to refer to Allah Ta’ala?
A: The word moulana has different meanings and usages in the Arabic language. When it is used for Allah Ta’ala it refers to guardian and protector. When it is used for respectable people, it refers to leader or friend. It is reported in the Hadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) called Hazrat Zaid (Radiyallahu Anhu) by the title Moulana. Had this been exclusive to Allah Ta’ala, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) would not have called him by this title. Hence, it is permissible to use the word Moulana for Ulama’ and respectable people of Deen.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
وقال أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة : حدثنا ابن نمير ، حدثنا الحجاج ، عن الحكم ، عن مقسم ، عن ابن عباس ، رضي الله عنهما ، قال : لما خرج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من مكة أخرج ابنة حمزة فاختصم فيها علي وزيد وجعفر ، فقال علي : ابنة أخي وأنا أحق بها ، وقال جعفر : ابنة عمي وخالتها عندي ، وقال زيد : بنت أخي لحمزة آخى بينهما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا زيد ، أنت مولانا ومولاهما وقال لعلي : أنت أخي وصاحبي وقال لجعفر : أشبهت خلقي وخلقي وهي إلى خالتها (إتحاف الخيرة المهرة #4869)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: Last week I had queried about using the name Moulana. Alhamdulillah, I had recieved the answer and it remove a lot of doubts from my mind. However, only one doubt remained and this was explained in my second querie i.e. using it for besides Allah Ta’ala could lead to shirk if one does not know the various meanings. Could Mufti Saheb please clear this doubt of mine. A lot of such topics/issues/doubts are raised by some collueges and freinds.
A: This word has been used for various meanings in different contexts from the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) till the present age and no one mistook the word to mean Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’alahimself uses this word in Qur’an for besides himself. Refer to verse 6 of Surah Tahreem. When Allah Ta’ala himself is using the word for besides himself, then why would it be impermissible for us to use this word for other meanings besides Allah Ta’ala.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
إِن تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا وَإِن تَظَاهَرَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ مَوْلَاهُ وَجِبْرِيلُ وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ ظَهِيرٌ ﴿التحريم: ٤﴾
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)