Mowla

Mowla is a transliteration of the Arabic mawla, a term with a range of meanings including lord, master, guardian, patron, or protector. In several South Asian languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali, Mowla and related spellings are used as respectful honorifics for elders, teachers, or religious scholars, and appear as parts of titles such as Maulana or Maulvi. The spelling Mowla reflects a particular rendering of the Arabic root into Latin script; other common forms include Maula, Mawla, Maulana, Maulvi, and Moula.

In classical Arabic, mawla carried multiple senses—owner or master, patron or protector of a group, and sometimes a close associate or ally. The term entered Islamic social and legal vocabulary with these nuanced meanings and over time acquired broader honorific usage in various Muslim cultures, often as a title for educated religious figures or community leaders.

Today, Mowla is used as a given name or surname in some communities, particularly among South Asian Muslims and their diaspora. As a personal name, it can convey respect, religious affiliation, or cultural heritage. Variants and related titles—Maulana, Maulvi, Moula, Mawla—reflect differing linguistic traditions and transliteration practices across regions.

See also: Maulana, Maulvi, Mawla, Mawli, Moula.