Ulama
Guardians and interpreters of Islamic doctrine and law.
The ʿulamā (also spelled ulema; Arabic: علماء, romanized: ʿulamāʾ; lit. 'the learned ones'; singular ʿālim), also known as Shuyukh or Mawlawi, are scholars and judges of Islamic doctrine and law. They are considered the guardians, transmitters, interpreters and legislators of religious knowledge in Islam. The term may refer broadly to the educated class of religious scholars, including theologians, canon lawyers (muftis), judges (qadis), professors, and high state religious officials, or more specifically to those holding governmental positions in an Islamic state.
- field
- Islamic doctrine and law
- known_for
- Guardians, transmitters, interpreters and legislators of religious knowledge in Islam
- education
- Religious institutions (madrasas); traditional approval via ijazat at-tadris wa 'l-ifta (license to teach and issue legal opinions)
Lore & Background
By longstanding tradition, ulama are educated in religious institutions known as madrasas. Students do not seek out a specific institution but rather renowned teachers. A scholar who has completed their studies is approved by their teacher, who at their individual discretion grants the ijazat at-tadris wa 'l-ifta (license to teach and issue legal opinions). This practice has established a chain of teachers and pupils who become teachers in their own time. The traditional place of higher education is the madrasa, which likely originated in Khurasan during the 10th century AD and spread from the late 11th century. The most famous early madrasas are the Sunni Niẓāmiyyas, founded by the Seljuk vizir Nizam al-Mulk in Iran and Iraq in the 11th century. Madrasas are considered sacred places of learning, may provide boarding and salaries from religious endowments (waqf), and their curriculum could be specified by the donor. Unlike medieval Western universities, madrasas generally have no distinct curriculum and do not issue diplomas; their educational activities focus on law but also include Sharia sciences and rational sciences like philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, or medicine.
Reader's Guide
The ulama have been central to Islamic civilization as the custodians of religious knowledge, law, and education. Their authority derives from their mastery of the Quran and sunnah, the scriptural sources of traditional Islamic law. By the eleventh century, the major schools of Sunni and Shia law (madhhab) had emerged, and the ulama within each school interpreted divine law through sources including the Quran, sunnah, qiyas (analogical reasoning), and ijma (juridical consensus), with variations among the schools. The Sunni majority maintain that God's will has been completely revealed in the Quran and sunnah, and its interpretation lies with the ulama, whereas Shia Islam holds that authority to interpret lies with the Imamah, a line of infallible interpreters. The ulama also engaged with philosophy and ethics; early Islamic philosophers like al-Kindi, al-Farabi, and Ibn Sina saw no contradiction between philosophy and Islam, though al-Ghazali later criticized Neoplatonism and Aristotelian ethics as incompatible with Islamic ethics. Sufism also developed among scholars, with early figures like Hasan al-Basri describing the sense of God's distance and nearness in the language of love. The legacy of the ulama includes the preservation and transmission of knowledge through the ijaza system, the establishment of madrasas as centers of learning, and the ongoing interpretation of sharia that shapes Muslim life across regions.
Did You Know?
- The term 'ulama' is the plural of 'ālim', meaning 'the learned ones'.
- A scholar's official approval to teach and issue legal opinions is called the ijazat at-tadris wa 'l-ifta.
- Unlike medieval Western universities, madrasas generally have no distinct curriculum and do not issue diplomas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Ulama?
The Ulama are the learned scholars and judges within Islam who specialize in religious doctrine and law. They serve as the primary interpreters and transmitters of Islamic knowledge to the broader community.
What exactly do the Ulama do?
They act as guardians of religious knowledge, interpreting scripture, issuing legal rulings, and legislating on matters of Islamic law. Their roles span theology, canon law, judicial decisions, and religious education.
How does someone become an Ulama?
A prospective scholar typically studies at a madrasa (religious institution) and must earn an ijazat al-tadris wa'l-ifta, a formal license granting permission to both teach and issue legal opinions. This approval traditionally comes from established senior scholars.
What's the difference between the Ulama and other Islamic religious figures?
While imams lead prayers and muezzins call the faithful to worship, the Ulama are specifically the educated class handling doctrine, law, and jurisprudence. The term can also encompass theologians, muftis, qadis, professors, and high-ranking state religious officials.
Why are the Ulama considered important in Islam?
They are regarded as the essential link between the foundational texts of Islam and the everyday lives of believers. Without their interpretation and legislative work, the practical application of religious law and doctrine would lack structured guidance.
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