ulema

Ulema (plural of alim) is a term used in Islam to refer to learned scholars who specialize in religious knowledge. The word comes from the Arabic alim, meaning “one who knows.” In many Muslim communities, the ulema are recognized for their study of the Quran, Hadith (traditions of the Prophet), fiqh (jurisprudence), usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic legal theory), theology, and related disciplines. They may serve as teachers, jurists, judges, muftis who issue fatwas, or leaders of religious institutions.

The ulema play a central role in interpreting and applying Sharia, the body of Islamic law. Their work encompasses ritual guidance, ethical discourse, and the regulation of personal and communal life. They contribute to education through madrasas and universities, preserve scholarly lineage through chains of transmission, and participate in jurisprudential decision-making. In some historical contexts, the ulema formed formal hierarchies within state structures (for example, in certain periods of the Ottoman Empire), while in other settings their authority is more decentralized and fluid.

Regional and doctrinal variations are common. The term covers scholars across Sunni and Shia traditions, though organizational forms differ: Sunni contexts may emphasize madhhabs and usul al-fiqh, while Shia contexts often involve marjaʿiyya and juristic authority. The ulema as a class are not a single, uniform body; their influence depends on local institutions, politics, and social structures, yet they are consistently associated with the preservation, interpretation, and teaching of Islamic law and doctrine.