Preface

PREFACE I n early March 1992, the Students’ Islamic Welfare Society organised a seminar in Lucknow to discuss the leadership role of the Ulama. At the organisers’ invitation, I presented a paper compiled in book form. This essay aims at presenting a critical appraisal of the role of Ulama, or Islamic scholars, in present times. As per the Shariah viewpoint, two things have to be kept separate for such an appraisal. One is the intention and the sincerity of the people involved, and the other is the methodology adopted by the people concerned. From the perspective of Shariah, making someone’s intention or sincerity the subject of discussion is impermissible, whereas making their methodology a subject of discussion is entirely permissible. This essay fully considers this distinction. I have reviewed the methodology employed by our Ulama in present