Meaning
A Muslim cleric or learned man of religion; in poetry often the narrow, literalist scholar lacking inner spirit.
Literally: master, learned man (from mawla)
Usage & notes
Iqbal repeatedly criticises the mullah for reducing a living faith to lifeless ritual and rote learning. He contrasts the mullah's hairsplitting legalism with the burning love and inner certainty he prizes.
Related words
ARABIC
Shaikh
An elder, religious authority, or head of an order; in the ghazal often the orthodox, worldly cleric set against the lover.
ARABIC
Waaiz
The preacher or homilist who admonishes from the pulpit; in the ghazal a figure of hollow exhortation.
ARABIC
Zaahid
The ascetic or abstinent pietist who shuns worldly pleasure; in the ghazal a figure of dry, often self-righteous renunciation.