moulvi

Molvi, also spelled Moulvi or Maulvi, is a title given to a Muslim religious scholar or teacher in South Asia and nearby regions. It derives from the Arabic mawlā, meaning master or patron, and is related to Maulana, a more formal form used for highly educated clerics. In everyday use, a moulvi is someone who has studied Islamic sciences and works as a preacher or teacher, often in a mosque or madrasa. The role typically includes leading prayers, delivering sermons, teaching the Quran and Islamic jurisprudence, and offering religious guidance to a community.

In the Indian subcontinent, Maulana and Moulvi historically indicated different levels of learning and authority, though usage varies by region. Maulana is usually regarded as the senior or more formal title, while Moulvi often denotes a teacher or junior scholar. Spelling variants reflect Urdu, Hindi, Persian, and regional pronunciations. The terms are widely used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and among diaspora communities, sometimes as forms of address or even as surnames.

Today, the title remains common for religious educators who run madrassas or lead mosque instruction. It is not a standardized credential and does not itself certify specific scholarly achievements. In some contexts, the title may carry cultural or political connotations, ranging from respectful address to association with particular clerical movements.