What does Huzur mean?
The word Huzur comes from the Arabic "hudur" (حُضُور), meaning presence. Its root is ح ض ر, the same root that gives us words such as hadir (present), hadrat and mahdar. Although Arabic in origin, its use as a form of address developed in Persian and Urdu. In the Mughal court, rather than calling an honored person by name, people addressed him as Huzur, "your presence", much like "Your Highness" or "Your Honour" in English. Kings, nawabs and judges were addressed this way, and later landlords and British officials too. The phrase "Ji Huzur" (Yes, my lord) is a relic of that era. In Bengali, Huzur carries essentially the same meaning as Janab (Sir).
A few centuries ago, people began using this word as a respectful title for religious guides and teachers, so as not to address them by name. Gradually it became the identity of the ulama, imams and madrasa teachers. The people of our land even call our beloved Prophet, with deep love, "Huzur Pak" (peace be upon him).
The conduct, character and moral integrity of religious guides and imams won the hearts of ordinary people. As a result, many began to wear the dress of a Huzur without truly being one. In time, those who were Huzur only in appearance came to outnumber the genuine ones. Today in our society, anyone with a beard and a cap is taken for a Huzur. Yet the word was once reserved for people of deep religious knowledge and excellent character.
In any case, because of the misuse of this word, titles such as Shaikh, Ustadh and Allama have become more common in recent years. I am a da'i. Many call me Shaikh, some Ustadh, others Mufti, Maulana or Muhaddith. Interestingly, Arabs do not call their scholars Huzur. They say Shaikh or Ustadh; out of respect they say Sayyidi, and for senior scholars Samahat al-Shaikh. However, from the same root, "Hadratukum" (حضرتكم) is still used in Arabic as an honorific form of address.
Many people look down upon the Huzur or the Mollah. Even many Huzurs themselves do not consider the title fitting for them. Huzur has become a label for the Tablighi brother, for ordinary religious folk, or for the teacher of a local maktab. As soon as someone gains a little knowledge, he must look for a title higher than Huzur. Such people have never grasped the true meaning of the word. In truth, the word Huzur has been distorted in Bangladesh.
Yet I am a Huzur. Alhamdulillah.
I feel no shame in belonging to the community of Huzurs; rather, I give thanks to Allah for this blessing. A Huzur is a caller to the deen. To be a Huzur is to be a person who strives constantly to live by Islam, who seeks to purify himself and to change his surroundings and the world, who wishes to color all of creation with the example of Huzur Pak (peace be upon him), and who remains free from the influence of the West.
O Allah, grant us the ability to become true Huzurs. Ameen.
Mufti Faizullah Aman
