Maulana

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Marja — ... Ulema Mufti Qadi Faqih Muhaddith Mullah Imam Mawlawi Sheikh Shaykh of Sufism Punjabi Shaikh Ayatollah Mujaddid Maulana This box: view • talk • edit</div>

Maulana (Arabic script مولانا, alternative transcription mawlanā) is an Arabic word literally meaning "our lord" or "our master" (defined in the Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic as "a form of address to a sovereign").

It is mostly used as a title preceding the name of a respected religious leader, in particular graduates of religious institutions, e.g. a madrassa or a darul uloom, or scholars who have studied under other Islamic scholars.

1 Other uses
2 Difference from the word Maulvi
3 Wahhabi/Salafi objection and its response
- 3.1 Objection
- 3.2 Response
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Other uses

Although the word originated in the Arabic language, it adopted different meanings as it travelled from Arabia to Persia, Turkey, and to the Indian and African continent.

[edit] Turkish use

In Turkey it is pronounced Mevlana and normally refers to Rumi.

[edit] Indian Subcontinent

This title is used as respect for people who have in-depth knowledge of Islam e.g. Maulana Maududi, although he did not receive formal Islamic education from any Madrassa), or for service to the community e.g. Maulana Edhi, the Pakistani charity worker.

[edit] Africa

This word has been borrowed into the Swahili language, where it is used also as a title of respect reserved for Islamic scholars or Ulema (plural of Aalim) who are knowledgeable about Islam. In some circles it is used to refer to Ron Karenga, the Afro-American activist).

[edit] Difference from the word Maulvi

Although the words Maulvi and Maulana are interchanged in Indian Subcontinent as a title of respect, Maulvi is actually a formal degree for anyone who passed the course of Maulvi (basic), Maulvi Alim (intermediate), or Maulvi Fazil(advanced).

[edit] Wahhabi/Salafi objection and its response

[edit] Objection

In past, Wahhabi and Wahhabi influenced scholars have objected to the use of 'Maula' and hence 'Maulana' as a title referring to humans, believing that 'Maula' should exclusively be used to refer to God.

[edit] Response

Shia and non-Wahhabi Sunni reject this objection on two grounds. First, Maula is not a name of God. Second, they cite a hadith "Man kuntu maula fa Ali aul Maula" (If I am the Maula then Ali is also the Maula). Prophet Muhammed said that after Ali returned from the mission of Ghadar Qum and complained some of the people under him did not obey his orders. Shia and Sunni interpret this differently but agree this titled can be used for humans.