ulamak

Ulāma, also written ulema, is the term used in Islam to refer to scholars of religious knowledge. The word comes from the Arabic alim, meaning “one who has knowledge” or “learned person.” The ulama constitute a learned class whose expertise covers Qur’an interpretation (tafsir), hadith studies, jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (kalām), and related disciplines such as usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic legal theory). Their authority rests on knowledge, piety, and recognition within communities, rather than on centralized political power.

Across the Muslim world, the ulama interpret Sharia, issue fatwas (legal opinions), teach at mosques and madrasas, supervise religious endowments, and advise rulers or governments on religious matters. In Sunni Islam, the ulama include jurists (fuqaha), judges (qadis), and muftis; in Shia Islam, senior jurists may hold the status of marjaʿ taqlid, whose rulings guide large followings. The relationship between the ulama and the state has varied—from autonomous scholarly authority in many periods to state-controlled religious elites in others.

Historically, organized bodies of ulama existed in several empires, such as the Ottoman ulema, who oversaw madrasa networks and legal courts. Today, prominent centers of learning—such as Al-Azhar in Cairo, Qom in Iran, and various madrasas and universities across the Muslim world—continue to train ulama and influence religious discourse, while many scholars publish fatwas and engage in public debate on contemporary issues. The ulama thus represent the traditional lineage of religious scholarship within Islam, bridging scriptural study and lived practice.