The sacred function of the Ulama is to safeguard the Deen. The Aqaaid (Beliefs) and the A'maal (Practices) of Islam have to be protected from the contamination of bid" ah, kufr and shirk. This is the prime duty of the Ulama who are the Heirs and Representatives of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). As long as the Ulama faithfully discharge the duty of Amir Bil Ma" roof Nahy Anil Munkar, they will remain the stars of Hidaayah for the Ummah. But, corruption in the ranks of the Ulama destroys not only themselves, but the Ummah as well.

When the Ulama fall into dhalaal (deviation) and utilize their positions for the acquisition of the despicable aims of Jah (worldly fame) and Maal (worldly wealth), then they fall from their pedestal of honour and enter into the ranks of tie Ulama-e-Soo' (Evil Ulama) who act as the agents of shartaan. Once Hadhrat Sufyaan Bin Uyainah (rahmatullah alayh) came to visit Hadhrat Fudhail Bin lyaadh (who was among the Tab-e-Taabieen) and one of the most illustrious Mashaaikh and Auliya. Hadhrat Fudhail said: 'At one time you. The Jamaat of the Ulama. were the lanterns of Hidaayah for the cities. But now you are a source of darkness for the cities. You were once stars of Hidaayah for the people like the stars in the heaven from which people seek directions on land. Now, you have become for the world a source of confusion. You (the Ulama) no longer have shame for Allah Ta'ala. You frequent the wealthy and accept their gifts without ascertaining whether Halaal or Haraam. Then you stand in the Mihraab narrating Ahadith. "

While Hadhrat Fudhail was admonishing, Hadhrat Sufyaan with lowered head was reciting Istighfaar.

It is imperative for the Ulama to reflect and engage in constant meditation regarding their motives and actions. Destruction to the Deen is nowadays been wrought by Ulama under guise of Ta'leem and Tabligh. It does not behove the Ulama to become involved in dubious diplomacy and intrigue. They are supposed to be the Stars of Guidance. Honest}' and truth must shine and radiate from them.

It is not the function of the Ulama to engage in menial activities such as supervising the food stores of the kuffaar and aiding in boosting their sales by means of Halaal certificates. It is not the function of the Ulama to become part of a wedding custom. It is not the function of the Ulama to join hands with modernists and deviated persons and organizations in misconceived ventures advertised as Deem activities. The honesty and uprighteousness of the Ulama should be such as to keep them far away and far above all such activities which detract from their prime function of guarding the Shariah.

Hakimul Ummat. Hadhrat Montana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rah) gave the following advice to the Ulama:

"I exhort them (the Ulama) to remain totally without greed. The wealthy people have acquired the world and have become oblivious of you. You (the Ulama) acquire the Deen and become oblivious of their world (i.e. their wealth and positions). Having the fullest trust in Allah Ta 'aala. I maintain with firm conviction that if an Aalim turns his gaze away from worldly people, becoming oblivious of their wealth and position, then Allah Ta 'aala will aid him from the Unseen realm. In fact the very people of the world who are today despising him. will then honour him. 'These worldly people themselves will be dependent on him (the pious Aalim who is free from greed and does not hanker after wealth)..... Worldly people stand in need of the Ulama in life and in death. Thus the Ulama should become totally independent and involve themselves in the Deen of Allah Ta 'aala. A great deficiency among us is the fact that we do not cultivate our relationship with Allah Ta 'aala. If our relationship with Allah Ta 'aala is developed, we shall be totally independent of others, nothing wilt then deflect us (from the Haqq). This attitude of independence should not be understood to be bad manners. There is no permission for bad character. Yes, independence should be cultivated. "

The Error of Some Ulama
"Some Ulama associate so much with wealthy people that as a result of their abundance of association they fall in line with everything done and said by the people of wealth Seeing this attitude of serfdom of these (worldly Aalims). others gained the impression that all Ulama must be of such low calibre. " [Hakimul Ummat]

According to Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani (Rahmatullah Alayh): “The negligence and indifference regarding Deeni matters of this age are because of the 'Ulama-e-soo'. Their niyyats have become corrupted. Yes, of course, those Ulama who are not attached to the world and its pomp and have no desire for rank and wealth, they are the Ulama of the Aakhirat (Hereafter) and they are the Heirs of the Amb'iyaa (Alayhimus Salaam). They are the noblest of creation. Tomorrow on the Day of Qiyaamat, the ink which these Ulama (of the Aakhirat) expended in the Path of Allah will be weighed (in comparison) with the blood of the Shuhada (martyrs) and the ink will be heavier." [Maktoob 33, Daftar II]

Taken from Awake- To the Call of Islam