Posted by: theMajlis
THE TRUSTEES OF DEEN Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The Ulama are the Trustees of the Deen as long as
they do not mingle with the wealthy. When they mingle
with the wealthy, then they (the Ulama) are the dacoits
of the Deen. Therefore, beware of them." Discussing this Hadith, Hakimul Ummat commented: "Loopholes are extracted generally (by the Ulama) for the wealthy. It is precisely for this reason that the Hadith severely criticizes and reprimands an Aalim who crawls into the company of the wealthy. The effect of such association is inhibition to proclaim the (Haq) of the Masaail (the laws of the Shariah). Since there is the fear of the cessation of monetary and material provisions (which the wealthy present), the Aalim refrains from stating the truth. He does not speak with clarity. Instead, if the wealthy ask about unlawful acts, this Aalim makes these acts permissible by way of interpretation. Indeed, the condition of those Ulama who freely associate with the wealthy (and the rulers), is extremely deplorable. Since greed is generally dominant in people, it constitutes an impediment for the proclamation of the Haqq. In addition to harming the Deen, these Ulama themselves suffer adversely in the world. The very wealthy people with whom they associate begin to despise them. They understand that these Ulama present ‘fatwas’ for their appeasement. Never should the Ulama flatter the wealthy."
This exposition by Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali (rahmatullah alayh) in our day applies in particular to those Ulama who flirt with banks and other financial institutions which wealthy Muslims have established. These Ulama sit on the advisory boards of these financial institutions and churn out ‘fatwas’ to legalize the riba and haraam transactions of the Muslim entrepreneurs. It is absolutely disgusting for the Ulama to attend the board meetings of the modernist bankers whose only aim in life is to manufacture money for themselves whether the methods are halaal or haraam. The Ulama who sit in ‘advisory’ capacities act like mercenaries, selling the Deen to curry favour with the wealthy. If the bankers and entrepreneurs are sincere in their overt endeavours to follow the Shariat, they should submit their queries and explanations to uprighteous Muftis who do not run after the men of the dunya. They remain in their simple Daarul Ifta offices, research the questions and present fataawa of the Haqq, not ‘fatwas’ of the nafs to appease the men of wealth. A NECESSARY WARNING FOR THE ULAMA Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (rahmatullah alayh) stated: "The Ulama should exercise extreme caution when accepting wealth from people. Nowadays this is not heeded at all. Many errors are committed in this regard. The harmful effects of laxitude in this matter brings disgrace to the Deen. If the Ulama themselves make a personal appeal for funds to the rich, then regardless of the sincerity of the contributors, they at times gain the impression that they (the Ulama) have a personal motive for soliciting contributions. In order to maintain the honour of the Deen, I do not of my own accord cultivate a relationship with the wealthy. However, if they themselves are desirous of fostering a bond, then I am not averse to it. Hadhrat Haaji Saheb (Hadhrat Imdaadullh — rahmatullah alayh) would often say: "When a wealthy man comes to you on account of the Deen, then he is not merely an ameer (a wealthy man of the world). He is then ‘Ni’mal Ameer’ (A noble Ameer). Such a man should not be rebuffed on the assumption that he is a man of the dunya. However, the Ulama should not of their own accord visit the rich on account of their wealth (and worldly positions)." The Majlis Vol 16 01
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