GHULU’ (EXTREMISM) IS HARAAM
“DO NOT COMMIT GHULU’ IN YOUR DEEN.”
(Qur’aan)
Question
Madrasah Miftahul Khair in Umzinto, KZN is having a Hifz jalsah. Among the guest speaker, the name of Mufti Ebrahim Salejee has been advertised. The title of QUTBUL IRSHAAD has been attributed to him. Is this title valid? Is it befitting? This is the first time we are witnessing the attribution of such a lofty title to an Aalim who in relation of the Akaabir Ulama such as Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, Hadhrat Maulana Nanotwi, Hadhrat Maulana Masihullah, Hadhrat Maulana Yusuf Binnuri, Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Rahmatullah alayhim) and many other Akaabir Ulama/Auliya, is obviously a non-entity regardless of his seniority in the current South African context? Please comment.
Answer
Yes, there is an imperative need to comment when ghulu’ is perpetrated. It is correct that none of the Akaabir Ulama/Auliya whom you have enumerated had been awarded the title Qutbul Irshaad. This is something new which has been innovated by junior molvis, and the motivation is conspicuously riya/kibr.
The venerable Mufti Salejee was supposed to have objected to the mockery. We are sure that he does not believe that he is Qutbul Irshaad. Regarding the Ulama who crave for publicity, name and fame, Hadhrat Maulana Qaasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullah alayh) said:
“Leave the ignoramuses (of the masses), know with certitude that nowadays, if not all, then at least most of the Ulama are jaahil. In fact some Ulama are greater jaahils than the juhala (among the masses). They wander around delivering lectures whilst they are bereft of any semblance of Knowledge.”
Hadhrat Nanotwi (Rahmatullah alayh) was truly greater than even a Qutubul Irshaad. He was a veritable Mujtahid, but his title was merely Molvi/Maulana.
In Barzakh, the Malaaikah will sarcastically ask the buzrug on whom his ignorant mureedeen had lauded high-sounding titles and accolades:
“Were you indeed so?”
Thus, the excessive praise, titles and accolades which ignorant mureeds pour on to an Aalim/Buzrug will bring fear, shame and anxiety to the so-called Qutbul Irshaad.
Molvis should not become bloated with the nonsensical titles doled out by juniors who lack Aql. The condonation of the hollow and unbefitting title by the ‘senior’, is also an ill commentary of his understanding.
Furthermore, the jalsah too is a merrymaking function at a time when the Ummah is undergoing horrible suffering. Surely, these merrymaking molvis and muftis are not ignorant of the suffering and starvation in Gazzah and elsewhere, yet, they organize merrymaking functions which are dominated by eating and excreting, both physically and spiritually. Do read the Naseehat of Hadhrat Maulana Masihullah (Rahmatullah alayh) on these mock, merrymaking jalsahs of ostentation and silliness – nothing but pride and show forged in the name of the Deen. Thus, they are all signs of Qiyaamah.
When there is no khauf for Allah Ta’ala and no understanding of Maut, Qabr and Aakhirat, then the Deen is used as a medium for the expression of nafsaaniyat and shaitaaniyat.
The so-called ‘qutbul irshaad’ is NOT a “senior khalifah of Hazrat Maseehullah”. It is indeed ludicrous and surprising that for Hadhrat Maseehullah (Rahmatullah alayh), the title ‘Moulana’ suffices, whilst the high-sounding title, ‘Qutbul Irshaad’ is piled on to the head of a junior who has no status in relation to Hadhrat Masihullah (Rahmatullah alayh).
These molvis and muftis must wake up and emerge from their cocoons of jahaalat and slumber where they are hibernating and displaying total lack of the problems, jahaalat and sufferings which are devouring the Ummah.
25 Safar 1447 – 20 August 2025