IMAAM GHAZAALI’S (رحمه الله) VIEW ON ULAMA-E-SOO’ (False Scholars)
IMAAM GHAZAALI’S VIEW ON ULAMA-E-SOO’
By Imaam Abu Haamid Ghazaali
Presenting a character sketch of the evil scholars for dollars and the lovers of name and fame (the ulama-e-soo’), Imaam Ghazaali (Rahmatullah alayh) states in his Kitaab, Faslut Tafraqah Bainas Islam waz Zandaqah:
“Know that the reality of kufr and Imaan, and their definition, Haqq (the Truth of Islam) and Dhalaal (Deviation) and their natures do not become conspicuous for hearts filthied by hankering after fame and wealth and their love. But, these realities are revealed to the hearts firstly purified of the pollution of the filth of the world, then polished with perfect spirituality, then brightened with pure Thikr, then nourished with valid contemplation, then beautified with the limits of the Shariah so that they (the purified hearts) are permeated with the Noor (celestial and spiritual radiance) emanating from the Niche of Nubuwwat. Thus, they (these purified hearts) become like glittering mirrors. They become the lanterns of Imaan radiating anwaar.
How is it possible for the spiritual mysteries to unravel for people (ulama-e-soo’) whose vain desires have deflected them (from the Haqq); whose god is their rulers (sultans, kings and the like); whose qiblah is gold and silver; whose shariah is their evil flippancy; whose thikr is their evil devilish ideas (shaitaani wasaawis); whose treasure is their (nafsaani) vermin, and whose contemplation is the fabrication of schemes which their villainy demands.
How is it possible for these (vermin) to differentiate between the darkness of kufr and the glitter of Imaan? Their hearts have not been purified from the contaminations of the world. Their capital in knowledge is the rules of najaasat and the like.” (End of Imaam Ghazaali’s characterization of the ulama-e-soo’)
Amid the heart-rending suffering of the decadent Ummah, these evil molvies and sheikhs squander millions of the Ummah’s trust funds in baatil accords, Building Projects of Israaf, Riya and Takabbur., boot-licking to the rulers and mutilating the Deen to appease the oppressive regimes and kings who bestow worthless accolades and financial perks to the vermin truckling at their feet. They are bereft of any pity and feelings of brotherhood for the suffering masses of the Ummah.
They strike up alliances with kuffaar and mushrikeen in the kufr interfaith shaitaani movement. They convert Musaajid into temples. They utilize Musaajid for entertaining the public, taking pictures and exposing women to the public by means of TV and radio. They pollute and violate the sanctity of the Musaajid with kuffaar visitors wallowing in physical and spiritual najaasat. They join evil sporting clubs, and they organize sporting teams in the names of Musaajid. Can such people ever become Warathatul Ambiya? They halaalize carrion, riba and alcohol. This is the type to which Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) referred:
“Soon shall there dawn an age when nothing of Islam will remain except its name. Nothing of the Qur’aan will remain but its text. Their Musaajid will be ornate structures devoid of hidaayat. Their Ulama will be the worst under the canopy of the sky. From them will percolate fitnah, and the fitnah will rebound on them (and hem them in).”
A true Shaikh commented that under the canopy of the sky there are also the Yahood, Nasaara, mushrikeen, apes and swines. From this observation, the category of the juhala-e-soo’ (the evil sheikhs and molvies) will be understood.
No group of mankind has damaged the Deen and ruined the Ummah as much as the ulama-e-soo’- the likes of the sheikhs and molvies who advocated innovations in Salaah,Majid Closure and other means never seen in 1440 years. Those who operate Madaaris and other Deeni institutions solely for the acquisition of worldly and nafsaani objectives.
They overtly present ‘deeni’ goals whilst covertly they utilize the acts of the Deen for the acquisition of worldly objections. All of them are Signs of Qiyaamah and the fulfilment of the predictions of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
