Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t3.3

c5.s4.t3.3

1. *The ‘Ulama.*—The special favourites and associates of the Sultanate as was mentioned in the first chapter, were the ‘Ulama or the state theologians. As a rule they had undergone a course of training in Muslim Law, Logic, Arabic letters, and the religious literature of Islam in general, namely Tafsir, Hadis, Kalam, etc.¹ Although the Qur'an emphasizes their position in a general way as a separate class of Muslims, ‘inviting people to the path of goodness’, no special provision was made for them in the Holy Book.² Spurious traditions soon began to be spread among the people. The Prophet was reported to have said : ‘Honour the ‘Ulama, for they are the successors of the prophets; he who honours them, honours the Prophet of Islam and Allah thereby’. Similar emphasis was laid on the peculiar distinction that attaches to the acquirement of religious education.³