Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother,

Thanks for yourr answer.

One form of racism we bohra's are following is by way of diferent categories made in the name of Mulla, Shekh etc. This is to the extent that for prayers in mosque sheikh cannot pray behind Mulla. The titles of sheikh generally ar egiven on the basis of how much salam you can do and not at all how pious he is in his practice.

Pls comment.

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Answer:

Racism in Dawoodi Bohras

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Brother, whatever you have stated is unfortunately true and this form of blatant racism is practiced in some sects of Islam. This practice of giving out titles in exchange for money has nothing to do with Islam, and these titles hold no value in the sight of Allah. These systems are created by the clergy to devour the wealth of their followers, and have absolutely no basis or authority in Islam. Allah has warned the believers in the Holy Quran about the practices of such priests and holy men.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verses 34-35 :O you who believe! There are indeed many among the priests and the holy men who devour the wealth of others by evil means, and debar the people from the Way of Allah. Give them the good news of a painful torment, who hoard up gold and silver and do not expend these in the Way of Allah. The Day shall surely come when the same gold and silver shall be heated in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their bodies and their backs. (And it will be said): “Here is that treasure you had hoarded up for yourselves! Taste now the evil of your hoarded treasure!”

In Islam, the basis of superiority is only on one criteria: Piety (Taqwa); as decreed by Allah in the Holy Quran. In Islam, one is not honored by color, or race, or lineage, or wealth, or nationality, etc. The one who is the most pious is the one who is most honorable in the sight of Allah.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

The clergy have developed and invented these schemes of giving away titles in exchange for money. They have also invented various other schemes and taxes for which they have absolutely no basis or authority from Allah and His Messenger (saws), like; nazrul maqaam, silo-fitro, niyaaz, najwa, wajebaat, sabeel, etc. They have created these evil means to collect more and more money from their followers; and have thus bartered the words of Allah for a paltry worldly sum. Allah has promised that He will take full retribution from such people on the Day of Judgement.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Al-Baqarah verse 174:Indeed those, who conceal the commands that Allah has sent down in His Book and barter them away for paltry worldly gains, fill their bellies with fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He regard them as pure and there is a painful torment for them!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan