Mawla
Mawla ( Arabic مولى maula , DMG maulā ) is an Arabic term that has undergone various changes in meaning over the course of the ages and has been used in different areas. Linguistically, maulā is the verbal noun ( Masdar ) of the verb waliya and means something like 'to be close to something or someone', but in the real sense it means 'to have power, to exercise power'.
Meaning in the Koran and tradition
"This is because Allah is the protector (maulaa) of those who believe, and because the unbelievers have no protector."
“Allah does not ask of anyone more than he is able to do. Everyone will (one day) benefit from what he has committed (in earthly life in terms of good deeds), and (everyone comes into his debt account) what he has done (in terms of bad deeds). Mr! Do not concern us if we are forgetful or mistaken! Mr! Do not impose on us an oppressive obligation (isr) as you have imposed on those who lived before us! Mr! Don't burden us with something we don't have the strength to do! Forgive us, forgive us and have mercy on us! You are our patron (maulaa). Help us against the people of the unbelievers! "
In the Shiite tradition, mawla has a completely different meaning, there Ali ibn Abi Talib is referred to as Wali by Mohammed himself .
In the Qur'anic context it has the same meaning as sayyed and refers to Allah . For this reason, Muslim slaves were not allowed to address their masters as 'Mawlana' (our master). Nevertheless, the term often found its way into the tradition as 'master of a slave'.
Other meanings
In the legal context, mawla (the networking or connection of one person with another through walāʾ) has different meanings, depending on the context.
By changing the suffix, regionally different meanings result.
See also
literature
- AJ Wensinck: Article "Wali" in The Encyclopaedia of Islam. New Edition Vol. VI, Brill: Leiden, 1991, page 874