Why do people say maulana to sheikhs!

[justoneofmillion]

:salam2:in my native language Arabic Algerian Arabic maulana means someone to whom you belong which is god himself!why do people use that word when referring to imams or scholars and so on?

 

[saif]

:salam2:

Maybe some other arab can ellaborate more on that but Maula has had several meanings in the classical arabic. One of them was for example, the liberated slaves (plural mawali). Apparently, this was a title given to them after liberation because Maula can mean a master (implying, that they were no more slaves but masters ).

Sometimes, we call our Prophet Seyyedina wa Maulana, meaning something like our king and our master.

Lastly, you must be aware, that the meaning of this word is often in discussion between sunnis and shias because of the following words of the prophet "“Of whomsoever I am Maula, Ali is his Maula too”. Now, I don't know the authenticity of this hadith but apparently, it was not a problem in the classical arabic to use it for human beings.

I hope it helps



saif

 

[justoneofmillion]

:salam2:Yep still sounds strange to me anyways to me maulana means the one to whom you belong,are these hadeeth sahih if i may ask? interesting it will be nice to know inshallah,thanks

 

[daywalker]

Investigating the Name 'Moulana'​

The word 'Maulana' is a title commonly used in South Africa and elsewhere to denote the title of a religious personality or a learned scholar of Islam. The word 'Maulana' however, can be used in the context to denote the Lordship and the Sovereignty of Allah. It is because of this ambiguity of usage that some have objected to using this title when addressing the learned scholars and spiritual guides of Islam as it denotes traces of divinity held exclusively by the Being of Allah. 'Moulana' is an Arabic word derived from the root letter wa.1a.ya. It is comprised of two words: Maula and Na. The word Maula has an established meem (masdar meemi) within it and it acts in place of a doer (fa'il), and the Na, which suffixes it, is to convey plurality. Hence, the word Na can be substituted by other pronouns to produce Maulahu (his Maula) or Maula’ i (my Maula).

Opposite Meanings: The word 'Maula' in Arabic is amongst those words, which have opposite meanings [asma azdad]. Both meanings are employed in their literal sense, and not in their figurative sense. An example of such words which can be used interchangeably are the words Bay' and Shira. Both words are used for buying and selling, and can be loosely translated simply as 'trade.' Allah has used the word Yashtri (present and future imperfect tense) and Ishtara (past tense) in verse 2:207, and verse 9: 111 respectively where mention is made of man 'trading' his soul to acquire paradise. In the first verse, it appears in the meaning of 'selling,' while the meaning of 'buying' ed in the second verse.

The word 'Maula' falls in the same genre of words. The AI-Munjid gives the meaning of this word as: owner, lord, leader, chieftain, freed slave, supporter, ally, and Mahmud Safl has given the meaning of this word to be: benefactor, helper, and honorable person in his I'rab alQur'an. From this linguistic finding, it becomes clear that to call any person schooled in Islamic sciences as Maulana, can be accommodated. When addressing such a person as Maulana, the meaning of religious leader is implied. It is a title of respect and esteem having no divine undertones. Allah has a few names and attributes which are exclusively reserved for His Being like Allah, Rahman, 'Alimul Ghaib etc. Some of His attributes have been used in the Qur'an to also refer to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) like 'Aziz, Ra'uf, Rahim, Sami' etc. When these names are used to denote the Being of Allah, it is meant that the perfection of these attributes are only to be found in Allah, but when used for His creation, it means that these qualities have been bestowed upon some of the creation to a lesser degree. The word Maula falls under the second category of names. The difference is to be discerned within the context. Allah also used the word Maula to describe Angel Jibra'il and the pious believers in the following verse: "Verily Allah is his Maula, as well as Jibra'il and the pious believers." (Tahrim: 4) Thus, to address any 'Aalim as Maulana or any other title with a view of acknowledging him as a learned person capable of being emulated is not prohibited in the sharî'ah.
The Word “Moulana”

There are certain words in Arabic that have several meanings. Depending on the context, a particular meaning would be implied. A typical example is the word “Moulana” made up from the word “Moula” and the first person plural pronoun “Naa”. “Moula” can mean master, lord, protector, patron, companion, etc.

In the Qur’aan this word has been used in reference to Allah as well as the Angel Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam and the pious believers. In Surah Buqarah (chapter 2 verse 286) it is used in reference to the Creator where man is imploring Him and addressing Him as the Protector and Helper.

However in Surah Tahreem (chapter 66 verse 4) the same word with the third person pronoun is used in relation to Jibraeel and the pious believers as well. Allah Ta’ala says:

“And if you two oppose him, then Allah, Jibraeel and the pious believers will be his companions.”

When Allah the Almighty Himself uses the word “Moula” for human beings, what prevents them from using it as well in reference to their fellow brothers?

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said “Anta Akhoonaa wa moulana” i.e. “You are our brother and companion.” (Tafseer Rawaiul Bayaan)

Anas Radhiallahu Anhu, a distinguished companion of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said, Yaa Moulana al-Hasan “O my companion Hasan.”
The above narrations clearly indicate the permissibility of using the word “Moula” or “Moulana” for any human being.

People that lack totally in the knowledge of the Qur’aan and Hadith claim that it cannot be used for anyone besides Allah. Another claim made by these ignoramuses is that the title “Moulana” is only used in India, Pakistan and South Africa. Which isn´t true.

 

[saif]

:salam2:
Honestly, I don't know. I only hear these words from shias. I didn't mean to quote it as a hadith but to give you an example, that it could be used for human beings.

By the way, belonging can also have several grades. A slave does "belong" in a certain meaning to his master. Why can't you see it as that kind of belonging? Ultimately, we all belong to Allah. But if somebody is expressing his love to the Prophet by calling himself his slave, is there something wrong with it?

 

[justoneofmillion]

:salam2:
Honestly, I don't know. I only hear these words from shias. I didn't mean to quote it as a hadith but to give you an example, that it could be used for human beings.

By the way, belonging can also have several grades. A slave does "belong" in a certain meaning to his master. Why can't you see it as that kind of belonging? Ultimately, we all belong to Allah. But if somebody is expressing his love to the Prophet by calling himself his slave, is there something wrong with it?

:salam2:There is a difference between calling the prophet and a scholar that way.And even if it was the prophet SAW i would still find it strange ,and i dont think he ever told us to be slaves to anyone besides Allah swt,The best way to love the prophet is to follow his example.If that ever was used it must have had another meaning then.allahu aalamAnyways jazakhallahu khair for your effort.

 

[saif]

This is was wikipedia has to say about mawali

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawali

 

[daywalker]

lool where is any relation between mawlana and mawali?

in india people use mawali to refer as a bad word and bad guy

 

[saif]

:salam2:

I know, but if you read that entry, you would realize, that I was not mentioning the hindi word mawali but the arabic plural of maula. This word, in its plural form have been used in the islamic history for liberated slaves.

 

[justoneofmillion]

People that lack totally in the knowledge of the Qur’aan and Hadith claim that it cannot be used for anyone besides Allah. Another claim made by these ignoramuses is that the title “Moulana” is only used in India, Pakistan and South Africa.[/B] Which isn´t true.

:salam2:Could you cite your sources jazakhallahu khair.You know there is in fact a huge gape between the prophet saw and these so called scholars and alims,this is why we are where we are today among other.These people themselves lack of knowledge and tact when trying to communicate the grace of Allah swt upon his people ,they might be hufaz of Quraan and hadeeth which is good mahsallah but no more than that oftentimes.Instead of correcting each other with tenderness and beauty the never fail to harm each other with their insolent tongues.Because they same words they use when referring to others as ignorant fools could be used against them in many cases if that ever was considered islamic ethics,especially in the contemporary world dont even get me started ...for every suspicious fatwa they make they could be categorically called ignorant fools or collaborators according to their own standards.This is not the way of teaching people when they ask because maulana wa maulahoom ajmaeen Allah swt wa la li anfoussihim koudratan ala an yastahziou biibad allah as saaeleen.
wassalaam
jameel

 

[Zafran]

salaam

forget it

 

[daywalker]

:salam2:Could you cite your sources jazakhallahu khair.You know there is in fact a huge gape between the prophet saw and these so called scholars and alims,this is why we are where we are today among other.These people themselves lack of knowledge and tact when trying to communicate the grace of Allah swt upon his people ,they might be hufaz of Quraan and hadeeth which is good mahsallah but no more than that oftentimes.Instead of correcting each other with tenderness and beauty the never fail to harm each other with their insolent tongues.Because they same words they use when referring to others as ignorant fools could be used against them in many cases if that ever was considered islamic ethics,especially in the contemporary world dont even get me started ...for every suspicious fatwa they make they could be categorically called ignorant fools or collaborators according to their own standards.

brother read this sentences again. you read in hurry, tahts why you didn´t understand.

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said “Anta Akhoonaa wa moulana” i.e. “You are our brother and companion.” (Tafseer Rawaiul Bayaan)

Anas Radhiallahu Anhu, a distinguished companion of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said, Yaa Moulana al-Hasan “O my companion Hasan.”

and the sources isn´t not near right now near me. ask your local schoalr inshallah.

 

[justoneofmillion]

brother read this sentences again. you read in hurry, tahts why you didn´t understand.

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said “Anta Akhoonaa wa moulana” i.e. “You are our brother and companion.” (Tafseer Rawaiul Bayaan)

Anas Radhiallahu Anhu, a distinguished companion of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself used the word for a companion of his. Once when addressing Zaid ibn Haritha, he said, Yaa Moulana al-Hasan “O my companion Hasan.”

and the sources isn´t not near right now near me. ask your local schoalr inshallah.

:salam2:Akhi,thanks for the clarification. did you read what you had just posted the last line i mean or did you just copy past without reading the question and the answer you were giving?this is really important,as it might seriously turn away people from wanting to ask questions and learn more on certain things they don t know about..from any potential teacher daii or whoever wants to propose the message ,the quraan was sent to you as well not to the intelligence and tact of the scholars exclusively.

 

[daywalker]

:salam2:Akhi,thanks for the clarification. did you read what you had just posted the last line i mean or did you just copy past without reading the question and the answer you were giving?this is really important,as it might seriously turn away people from wanting to ask questions and learn more on certain things they don t know about..from any potential teacher daii or whoever wants to propose the message the quraan was sent to you as well not to the intelligence and tact of the scholars exclusively.

walaikumassalam brother. i didn´t write the article by myself, it was written by a talib e ilm. but i have heard those athar by various schoalr, thats why i relied upon the work of that talib e ilm in this topic.

And calling a company and a schoalr as maulana isn´t a big deal. so feel comfortable whoever use the word.

 

[justoneofmillion]

walaikumassalam brother. i didn´t write the article by myself, it was written by a talib e ilm. but i have heard those athar by various schoalr, thats why i relied upon the work of that talib e ilm in this topic.

And calling a company and a schoalr as maulana isn´t a big deal. so feel comfortable whoever use the word.

:salam2kay my brother ,i know your intention was good,informative article there jazakhallahu khair ,i love you for the sake of Allah swt

wassalaam
jameel