Verse 37 - Ranjha’s stinging reply to the Mullah

Ranjha assails the Mullah, saying that while he might have the outward appearance of a holy man, his thoughts and deeds are satanic. He accuses him of oppressing wayfarers such as himself; the reference here is to both his physical journey after leaving home and his inner journey on the Sufi path. He accuses the Mullah of hypocrisy, suggesting that he hides behind the Quran, interpreting it as he sees fit to suit his own agenda. He rebukes the Mullah and rejects his characterizing what is pure and defiled, for he feels that he understands the Sharia well and does not need the Mullah's instructions. Finally Ranjha accuses the Mullah of adultery and sexual misconduct, which according to him goes on clandestinely in the inner room of the mosque. In this verse we see Waris Shah in his iconoclastic avatar, laying bare the hypocrisy and the sanctimony of the representatives of organized religion.