Taking a leaf out of the All India Akhara Parishad’s book, the All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB) on Saturday decided to launch a campaign to identify ‘fake maulanas’. The Board said that some illiterate maulanas represent the community and Islam on debates in TV channels and were spreading misunderstanding and confusion about the religion.
Executive member of the AIMPlB Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said that a lot of ‘fake’ Muslim clerics have been appearing on TV channels these days with little knowledge of Islam and Shariat.
“These clerics do not have any credentials. All they do is wear a skull cap, grow a beard and sit in TV debates. Such people bring bad name to the community as they do not have knowledge of Islam and Shariat,” he said.
Recently, a debate on the triple talaq issue created a controversy when a Muslim cleric had a heated argument with a BJP spokesperson and even threatened to slap that person. This incident raised questions on the gentility of the cleric.
“I will soon submit a proposal to the AIMPlB to act against these people. I would also like to suggest that the Board must authorise clerics to speak on TV channels and other debates. This will certainly keep a check on ‘fake clerics’ going about their way,” said Firangi Mahali, adding that if educated and genuine Muslim clerics take part in a debate it will not only add value to the discussion but also educate the young Muslim minds who are listening to the debate.
The maulana said that these ‘fake clerics’ create a wrong notion that the Shariat was being misused and portray issues like instant triple talaq in bad light as they do not know the exact meaning of talaq as mentioned in Shariat.
“These clerics have failed to tell masses as what exactly Shariat says about triple talaq. What are the conditions under which this system is valid and what are the dos and don’ts which go with this system of legal separation,” he said.
Commenting on the recent action against ‘fake babas by the All India Akhara Parishad, the cleric said, “It is a welcome move. People, who do not have knowledge of a particular faith, bring bad name to it. Such people should be identified and acted against.”
“There are black sheep in every religion. Some people use the sentiments of the people for personal gain, which no religion allows. The All India Akhara Parishad has made the beginning. We should take a leaf out of this proposal and start a cleansing process in our religion too,” he said adding that those who play with the sentiments of people have no place to stay in that religion.
The All India Akhara Parishad had recently released a list of 14 ‘fake babas’ or self-proclaimed godmen and urged people to boycott them. The list includes Bara Ram Rahim and Asaram Bapu who are in jail.