Allamah

Allamah is an honorific title in Islamic scholarly culture, used to address a highly learned and respected scholar. It derives from the Arabic al-ʿallāmah, literally 'the most knowledgeable' or 'the learned one.' The term is most commonly attached to male scholars; a feminine form exists but is far less common in contemporary usage. In many regions, the title signals recognition of mastery across religious sciences and a significant role in teaching, jurisprudence, or creed.

Regional usage spans Sunni and Shia communities and has been adopted in Persian, Urdu, Arabic, and Turkish traditions. It is not an official rank, degree, or institution; rather, it is an honorary designation conferred by peers, students, or communities in acknowledgment of scholarship, authority, and influence. It often accompanies scholars who have produced influential works in hadith, tafsir, fiqh, usul al-fiqh, or theology.

Historically, the title appears in medieval and early modern Islamic scholarship and continues into the modern era. Notable figures known by the title include Allamah Iqbal (Muhammad Iqbal), the poet-philosopher; Allamah Shibli Nomani, a 20th-century Indian scholar; Allamah al-Hilli, a Shia jurist; and Allamah Tabatabaei, an Iranian philosopher and theologian.

The use of the title remains common in contemporary Islamic scholarship, though its application varies by tradition and region.