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{{Short description|Islamic leadership position}}
{{Islam}}
{{Other uses|Iman{{!}}Iman (disambiguation)}}
{{Template:Prophets, salaf and caliphs}}
{{Distinguish|text=] or ]}}
'''''Imam''''' (]: إمام ,]: امام ) is an Arabic word meaning "Leader". The ruler of a country might be called the Imam, for example. However, the capitalized term or ''The Imam'' (]: ''' الإمام''') has important connotations in the ] tradition especially in ] Beliefs. It is also a ] ], for example ] could be arguably translated as "The honorable/leader father of Hanifa"
], circa 1922]]
{{Usul al-fiqh}}
]'', painting by ], 1865]]
'''Imam''' ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|m|ɑː|m}}, {{langx|ar|إمام}}, ''{{transliteration|ar|ALA|imām}}''; {{plural form}}: {{lang|ar|أئمة}}, ''{{transliteration|ar|ALA|a'immah}}'') is an ]ic leadership position. For ]s, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a ]. In this context, imams may lead ], serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance. Thus for Sunnis, anyone can study the basic Islamic sciences and become an imam.


For most ]s, the Imams are absolute infallible leaders of the Islamic community after the Prophet. Shias consider the term to be only applicable to the members and descendants of the '']'', the family of the Islamic prophet ]. In ] there are 14 ], 12 of which are Imams, the final being ] who will return at the end of times.<ref>{{harvnb|Corbin|1993|p=30}}</ref> The title was also used by the ] ], who eventually founded the ] (1918–1970).
__TOC__
==Prayer Leader==
The common everyday use of the word is for a person leading the Muslim congregational prayers, '']''. In this meaning the imam is not required to be a ].


==Clerical "Imams"== ==Sunni imams==
] does not conceive of the role of imams in the same sense as ]: an important distinction often overlooked by non-Muslims. In everyday terms, an ''imam'' for Sunni Muslims is the person charged with leading formal Islamic prayers (]){{em dash}}even in locations besides the mosque{{em dash}}whenever prayer is performed in a group of two or more. The imam leads the worship and the congregation copies his actions. ] are most often given by an appointed imam. All mosques have an imam to lead the congregational prayers{{em dash}}even though it may sometimes just be a member from the gathered congregation rather than an officially appointed, salaried person. ] when men are present but are allowed to be when no men are present. An imam should be chosen, according to ],{{which|date = July 2024}} based on his knowledge of the ] and '']'' and his moral character.
===Shi'a "Imams"===
{{main|Imamah (Shi'a doctrine)}}
In the ] context, ''''']''''' has a meaning more central to belief.


===Title of scholarly authority===
The Shi'a believe that The Imam is someone who is able to lead mankind in all aspects of life. In addition they believe that an Imam is a perfect example in everything. According to Shi'a, an Imam is a leader that ''must'' be followed since he is appointed by ] (God).


Another well-known use of the term is as an honorary title for a recognized religious scholarly authority in Islam. It is especially used for a ] and often for the founders of the four Sunni '']''s or schools of ], as well as an authority on ], such as ] or ].
Beside from the concept of Imamah, some ] Shi'a honour ] with the title "Imam", while others twelvers object to that use, arguing that the twelver conotation makes it wrong to give the title to somone else while the twelf Imam, Imam ] is the current Imam.


It may also refer to the ] or scholars who created the analytical sciences related to ] and sometimes refer to the heads of ]'s family in their generational times due to their scholarly authority.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dhami|first1=Sangeeta|last2=Sheikh|first2=Aziz|date=November 2000|title=The Muslim family|journal=Western Journal of Medicine|volume=173|issue=5|pages=352–356|issn=0093-0415|pmc=1071164|pmid=11069879|doi=10.1136/ewjm.173.5.352}}</ref>
===Sunni "Imams"===
The term is also used for a recognized religious leader or teacher in ], often for the founding scholars of the four ] ]s, or schools of ]. For example, ''Imam ]''. Or the Imams of the sciences related to ] such as ], ], ] . Or the heads of the Prophet's descendants in their times such as Imam Ali, Imam Hasan, Imam Hussein, and Imam ]. In other words, "Imam Ali" is a phrase used by both Shi'a and Sunni, although used with different conotations.


{{Infobox occupation
==Theocratical "Imams"==
| name = Imam Ibrahim Hawlery
In a few historical cases, the title of imam was used for a ] Muslim theocratic ruler, especially ], sort of a mini-] or ]; notably :
| synonyms =
* in northern ]
| pronounce =
* in ]
| image =
* in ] and in Muslim regions of ]
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| official_names =
| type = ]
| activity_sector = religion
| competencies = Knowledge of Quran and Sunnah, religious devotion
| formation = Madrassa, ] or university education
| employment_field = Mosque
| related_occupation = ]
}}

=== The position of imams in Turkey ===
Imams are appointed by the state to work at mosques and they are required to be graduates of an ] or have a university degree in theology. This is an official position regulated by the ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/en/home |title=Presidency of Religious Affairs|website=www.diyanet.gov.tr}}</ref> in Turkey and only males are appointed to this position, whilst female officials under the same state organisation work as preachers and Qur'an course tutors, religious services experts, etc. These officials are supposed to belong to the ] of the Sunni sect.

A central figure in an Islamic movement is also called an imam, like ] in Syria.

==Shia imams==
{{Main|Imamate in Shia doctrine|The Twelve Imams}}

In the Shi'a context, an imam is not only presented as the man of God ''par excellence'', but as participating fully in the names, attributes, and acts that theology usually reserves for God alone.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Amir-Moezzi|first1=Ali|title=Spirituality and Islam |date=2008 |publisher=Tauris |location=London |isbn=9781845117382|page=103}}</ref> Imams have a meaning more central to belief, referring to leaders of the community. ] and ] Shi'a believe that these imams are chosen by God to be perfect examples for the faithful and to lead all humanity in all aspects of life. They also believe that all the imams chosen are free from committing any sin, impeccability which is called '']''. These leaders must be followed since they are appointed by God.

===Twelver===
Here follows a list of the ] Shia imams:

{|class="wikitable" width="100%" style="background:#ffffff;"
|- style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF"
! Number !! Name<br />(Full/]) !! Title<br />(]/])<ref>The imam's Arabic titles are used by the majority of Twelver Shia who use ] as a ], including the ], ], ], and to a lesser extent ]. Turkish titles are generally used by ], a fringe Twelver group, who make up around 10% of the world Shia population. The titles for each imam literally translate as "First Ali", "Second Ali", and so forth. {{cite book | last = Mattar | first = Philip | title = Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa | publisher = Macmillan Reference USA | location = Detroit, Mich | year = 2004 | isbn = 9780028657691 }}</ref>!! Birth–Death<br />(]/]){{efn|The abbreviation CE refers to the ] ], while AH refers to the Islamic ] ].}}!! Importance !! Birthplace (present day country) !! Place of death and burial
|-
|1
|]<br />علي بن أبي طالب<hr>Abu al-Hassan or Abu al-Husayn<br /> أبو الحسین or أبو الحسن
|]<br />(Commander of the Faithful)<ref name="Ali in Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Nasr |first=Seyyed Hossein | author-link=Seyyed Hossein Nasr | title=Ali | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online | access-date=2007-10-12|url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9005712/Ali}}</ref><hr>Birinci Ali<ref name="Alevi">{{cite book | last = Mattar | first = Philip | title = Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa | publisher = Macmillan Reference USA | location = Detroit, Mich | year = 2004 | isbn = 9780028657691 }}</ref>
|600–661<ref name="Ali in Britannica"/><hr>23&nbsp;BH–40<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp.190-192</ref>
|The first ] and ] in ]; however, the ]s acknowledge him as the ] as well. He holds a high position in almost all ] ] (Turuq); the members of these orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through him.<ref name="Ali in Britannica"/>
|], ]<ref name="Ali in Britannica"/>
|Assassinated by ], a ] in ], who slashed him with a poisoned sword.<ref name="Ali in Britannica"/><ref>Tabatabae (1979), p.192</ref> Buried at the ] in ], ].
|-
|2
|]<br />الحسن بن علي<hr>Abu Muhammad<br />أبو محمد
|al-Mujtaba<hr>İkinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|624–670<ref name="Hasan in Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia| title=Hasan | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9039439/Hasan }}</ref>
----3–50<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp.194–195</ref>
|He was the eldest surviving grandson of ] through Muhammad's daughter, ]. Hasan succeeded his father as the caliph in ], and on the basis of peace treaty with ], he relinquished control of ] following a reign of seven months.<ref name="Hasan ibn Ali Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Madelung |first=Wilferd | author-link=Wilferd Madelung | title=Hasan ibn Ali | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2008-03-23 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hasan-b-ali}}</ref>
|], ]<ref name="Hasan in Britannica"/>
|Poisoned by his wife in ], ].<ref>Tabatabae (1979), p.195</ref> Buried in ].
|-
|3
|]<br />الحسین بن علي<hr>Abu Abdillah<br />أبو عبدالله
|Sayed al-Shuhada<hr>Üçüncü Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|626–680<ref name="Husayn in Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia| title=al-Husayn | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9041622/al-Husayn-ibn-Ali }}</ref>
----4–61<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp.196–199</ref>
|He was a grandson of ]. Husayn opposed the validity of ] ]. As a result, he and his family were later killed in the ] by Yazid's forces. After this incident, the ] has become a central ritual in Shia identity.<ref name="Husayn in Britannica"/><ref name="Husayn ibn Ali Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Calmard |first=Jean | title=Husayn ibn Ali | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2008-03-23 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hosayn-b-ali }}</ref>
|], ]<ref name="Husayn in Britannica"/>
|Killed on ] (10 Muharram) and beheaded at the ].<ref name="Husayn in Britannica"/> Buried at the ] in ], ].
|-
|4
|]<br />علي بن الحسین<hr>Abu Muhammad<br />أبو محمد
|al-Sajjad, Zain al-Abedin<ref name="Ali ibn Husayn in Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Madelung |first=Wilferd | author-link=Wilferd Madelung | title='ALĪ B. AL-ḤOSAYN | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ali-b-hosayn-b-ali }}</ref>
----Dördüncü Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|658–9<ref name="Ali ibn Husayn in Iranica"/> – 712<ref name="Tabatabae">Tabatabae (1979), p.202</ref>
----38<ref name="Ali ibn Husayn in Iranica"/>–95<ref name="Tabatabae"/>
|Author of prayers in ], which is known as "The Psalm of ]."<ref name="Tabatabae"/>
|], ]<ref name="Ali ibn Husayn in Iranica"/>
|According to most Shia scholars, he was poisoned on the order of Caliph ] in ], ].<ref name="Tabatabae"/> Buried in ].
|-
|5
|]<br />محمد بن علي<hr>Abu Ja'far<br />أبو جعفر
|al-Baqir al-Ulum<br />
(splitting open knowledge)<ref name="Muhammad al-Baqir in Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Madelung |first=Wilferd | author-link=Wilferd Madelung | title=AL-BAQER, ABU JAFAR MOHAMMAD | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/baqer-abu-jafar-mohammad }}</ref>
----Beşinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
| 677–732<ref name="Muhammad al-Baqir in Iranica"/>
----57–114<ref name="Muhammad al-Baqir in Iranica"/>
|Sunni and Shia sources both describe him as one of the early and most eminent ], teaching many students during his tenure.<ref name="Muhammad al-Baqir in Iranica"/><ref>Tabatabae (1979), p.203</ref>
|], ]<ref name="Muhammad al-Baqir in Iranica"/>
|According to some Shia scholars, he was poisoned by Ibrahim ibn Walid ibn 'Abdallah in ], ] on the order of Caliph ].<ref name="Tabatabae"/> Buried in ].
|-
|6
|]<br />جعفر بن محمد<hr>Abu Abdillah<br />أبو عبدالله
|al-Sadiq<ref name="Jafar al-Sadiq">Tabatabae (1979), p.203-204</ref>
<br />(the Trustworthy)
----Altıncı Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
| 702–765<ref name="Jafar al-Sadiq"/>
----83–148<ref name="Jafar al-Sadiq"/>
|Established the ] and developed the ]. He instructed many scholars in different fields, including ] and ] in ], ] and ] in ], and ] in science and ].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia| title= Wāṣil ibn ʿAṭāʾ| encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |date = 1 January 2019 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9076198/Wasil-ibn-Ata }}</ref>
|], ]<ref name="Jafar al-Sadiq"/>
|According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in ], ] on the order of Caliph ].<ref name="Jafar al-Sadiq"/> Buried in ].
|-
|7
|]<br />موسی بن جعفر<hr>Abu al-Hassan I<br />أبو الحسن الأول<ref name="Ali al-Reza in Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Madelung |first=Wilferd | author-link=Wilferd Madelung | title='ALĪ AL-HĀDĪ | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2007-11-09 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ali-al-reza}}</ref>
|al-Kazim<ref name="Musa al-Kazim">Tabatabae (1979), p.205</ref>
----Yedinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|744–799<ref name="Musa al-Kazim"/>
----128–183<ref name="Musa al-Kazim"/>
|Leader of the Shia community during the schism of ] and other branches after the death of the former imam, ].<ref>Tabatabae (1979) p. 78</ref> He established the network of agents who collected ] in the Shia community of the Middle East and the ].<ref>Sachedina (1988), pp.53–54</ref>
|], ]<ref name="Musa al-Kazim"/>
|Imprisoned and poisoned in ], ] on the order of Caliph ]. Buried in the ] in Baghdad.<ref name="Musa al-Kazim"/>
|-
|8
|]<br />علي بن موسی<hr><ref name="Ali al-Reza in Iranica"/>
|al-Rida, Reza<ref name="Ali al-Reza">Tabatabae (1979), pp.205–207</ref>
----Sekizinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|765–817<ref name="Ali al-Reza"/>
----148–203<ref name="Ali al-Reza"/>
|Made crown-prince by Caliph ], and famous for his discussions with both Muslim and non-Muslim religious scholars.<ref name="Ali al-Reza"/>
|], ]<ref name="Ali al-Reza"/>
|According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in ], ] on the order of Caliph Al-Ma'mun. Buried in the ] in ].<ref name="Ali al-Reza"/>
|-
|9
|]<br />محمد بن علي<hr>Abu Ja'far<br />أبو جعفر
|al-Taqi, al-Jawad<ref name="Muhammad al-Taqi">Tabatabae (1979), p. 207</ref>
----Dokuzuncu Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|810–835<ref name="Muhammad al-Taqi"/>
----195–220<ref name="Muhammad al-Taqi"/>
|Famous for his generosity and piety in the face of persecution by the ].
|], ]<ref name="Muhammad al-Taqi"/>
|Poisoned by his wife, Al-Ma'mun's daughter, in ], ] on the order of Caliph ]. Buried in the ] in Baghdad.<ref name="Muhammad al-Taqi"/>
|-
|10
|]<br />علي بن محمد<hr>Abu al-Hassan III<br />أبو الحسن الثالث<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica"/>
|al-Hadi, al-Naqi<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Madelung |first=Wilferd | author-link=Wilferd Madelung | title='ALĪ AL-HĀDĪ | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ali-al-hadi-abul-hasan-b}}</ref>
----Onuncu Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|827–868<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica"/>
----212–254<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica"/>
|Strengthened the network of ] in the Shia community. He sent them instructions, and received in turn financial contributions of the faithful from the ] and religious vows.<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica"/>
|Surayya, a village near ], ]<ref name="Ali al-Hadi in Iranica"/>
|According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in ], ] on the order of Caliph ].<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp.208–209</ref> Buried in the ] in Samarra.
|-
|11
|]<br />الحسن بن علي<hr>Abu Muhammad<br />أبو محمد
|al-Askari<ref name="al-Askari in Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Halm |first=H | title='ASKARĪ | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/askari-abu-mohammad-hasan-b}}</ref>
----Onbirinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|846–874<ref name="al-Askari in Iranica"/>
----232–260<ref name="al-Askari in Iranica"/>
|For most of his life, the Abbasid Caliph, ], placed restrictions on him after the death of his father. Repression of the Shi'ite population was particularly high at the time due to their large size and growing power.<ref>Tabatabae (1979) pp. 209–210</ref>
|], ]<ref name="al-Askari in Iranica"/>
|According to Shia, he was poisoned on the order of Caliph ] in ], ]. Buried in ] in Samarra.<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp.209–210</ref>
|-
|12
|]<br />محمد بن الحسن<hr>Abu al-Qasim<br />أبو القاسم
|], Hidden Imam, al-Hujjah<ref name="al-Hujjah in Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia| title=Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Hujjah | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online | access-date=2007-11-08 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054165/Muhammad-al-Mahdi-al-Hujjah}}</ref>
----Onikinci Ali<ref name = "Alevi"/>
|868–unknown<ref name="al-Hujjah">Tabatabae (1979), pp.210–211</ref>
----255–unknown<ref name="al-Hujjah"/>
|According to Twelver doctrine, he is the current imam and the promised ], a messianic figure who will return with ] (Jesus). He will reestablish the rightful governance of Islam and replete the earth with justice and peace.<ref>Tabatabae (1979), pp. 211–214</ref>
|], ]<ref name="al-Hujjah"/>
|According to Shia doctrine, he has been living in the ] since 872, which shall continue as long as God wills it.<ref name="al-Hujjah"/>
|-
|}

], also Fatimah al-Zahraa, daughter of Muhammed (615–632), is also considered infallible but not an Imam. The Shi'a believe that the last Imam, the 12th Imam ] will one day emerge on the ] (''Qiyamah'').

=== Ismaili ===
: ''See ] and ] for Ismaili imams.''

===Zaidi===
:''See details under ], ] and ].''

==Imams as secular rulers==
At times, imams have held both secular and religious authority. This was the case in ] among the ] or ] sects. At times, the imams were elected. At other times the position was inherited, as with the ] from 1624 and 1742. See ], the ]: 776–909, ]: 1154–1624, the ]: 1624–1742, the ]: 1744–present for further information.<ref>{{cite book|pages=50, 437|last=Miles|first=Samuel Barrett|author-link=Samuel Barrett Miles|title=The Countries and Tribes of the Persian Gulf|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbsOoPpZiSEC&pg=PA50|access-date=2013-11-15|year=1919|publisher=Garnet Pub.|isbn=978-1-873938-56-0}}</ref> The ] (1727–1896) was a ] state in West Africa where secular power alternated between two lines of hereditary Imams, or ''almami''.<ref>{{cite book|page=365|last1=Holt|first1=P. M.|last2=Holt|first2=Peter Malcolm|last3=Lambton|first3=Ann K. S.|author4=Bernard Lewis|title=The Cambridge History of Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y99jTbxNbSAC&pg=PA365|date=1977-04-21|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-29137-8}}</ref> In the ] ] sect, imams were secular as well as spiritual leaders who held power in ] for more than a thousand years. In 897, a Zaidi ruler, ], founded a line of such imams, a theocratic form of government which survived until the second half of the 20th century (See details under ], ], ]). ] were also referred to as "Imams", until that term was retired by ] to be replaced by "king".

] is officially referred to as Imam in ]. Several Iranian places and institutions are named "Imam Khomeini", including a ], an ], a ], and a ].

==Gallery==

=== Imams ===
<gallery>
File:Asif muharram 1795 1.jpg|An Imam reads verses from the ] after ] (night prayers) in the ]
File:Govardhan. A Discourse Between Muslim Sages ca. 1630 LACMA.jpg|Discourse between ]ic Imams in the ]
File:Карло Боссоли. Татарская школа для детей.jpg|Crimean Tatar imams teach the ]. Lithograph by ]
File:Pirosmani. Shamil with a Bodyguard. Oil on oil-cloth, 112x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of Georgia, Tbilisi.jpg|], Caucasus
File:Bruner-Dvorak, Rudolf - Bosna, imam (ca 1906).jpg|Imam in Bosnia, {{Circa|1906}}
File:Roollah-khomeini.jpg|], leader of the ]
File:Mahdist in the Khalifa's house, Omdurman, Sudan.png|An Imam in Omdurman, Sudan
File:Constantinople(1878)-begging dervis.png|An ] imam in ]
File:Bosniak imam.jpg|A ] military imam in the Austro-Hungarian Army
File:Imam ndiawar.JPG|Imam Thierno Ibrahima Thiello
</gallery>


==See also== ==See also==
*] * ]
* ] *]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==External links== == Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
*
*


== Citations ==
]
{{Reflist}}
]
]
]


== Works cited ==
]
* {{cite book|last = Corbin|first = Henry|author-link = Henry Corbin|title = History of Islamic Philosophy |translator-first=Liadain |translator-last=Sherrard |translator2-first=Philip |translator2-last=Sherrard |translator2-link=Philip Sherrard |publisher = London; Kegan Paul International in association with Islamic Publications for The Institute of Ismaili Studies |year = 1993 |orig-year=1964 |language=fr |isbn = 0-7103-0416-1}}
]
* ] by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
]
* {{cite book | title=] | publisher=Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University| isbn= 1-56859-050-4| date=March 1997}}
]
* {{cite book | last = Mattar | first = Philip | title = Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa | publisher = Macmillan Reference USA | location = Detroit, Mich | year = 2004 | isbn = 9780028657691 }}
]
* {{cite book | last=Sachedina | first=Abdulaziz Abdulhussein | author-link=Abdulaziz Sachedina | title= The Just Ruler (al-sultān Al-ʻādil) in Shīʻite Islam: The Comprehensive Authority of the Jurist in Imamite Jurisprudence| publisher=Oxford University Press US | year=1988 | isbn=0-19-511915-0}}
]
* {{cite book | last=Tabatabae | first=Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn |translator-first=Seyyed Hossein |translator-last=Nasr |translator-link=Seyyed Hossein Nasr | author-link=Allameh Tabatabaei | title= Shi'ite Islam
]
| publisher=SUNY press| year=1979 | isbn=0-87395-272-3}}
]

]
== General references ==
]
* {{cite encyclopedia | last = Martin | first = Richard C. | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Muslim World | title = Imam |volume= 1: ''Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World: A–L'' | publisher = MacMillan | isbn = 0-02-865604-0| year = 2004 }}
]
* {{cite book | last=Momen | first=Moojan | title= An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelve| publisher=Yale University Press | year=1985 | isbn=0-300-03531-4}}
]

]
== External links ==
]
* {{Wiktionary inline|imam}}
]
* {{Commons category-inline|Imams}}
]
* {{Cite NIE|noicon=1|year=1905|wstitle=Imam}}
]

]
{{Sufism terminology}}
]
{{Portal bar|Religion|Islam|Education|Psychology}}
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{{Authority control}}
]

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Latest revision as of 19:41, 17 January 2025

Islamic leadership position For other uses, see Iman (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Emam or Imamah.
Imam presiding over prayer, Nasreddine Dinet, circa 1922
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Prayer in Cairo, painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1865

Imam (/ɪˈmɑːm/, Arabic: إمام, imām; pl.: أئمة, a'immah) is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance. Thus for Sunnis, anyone can study the basic Islamic sciences and become an imam.

For most Shia Muslims, the Imams are absolute infallible leaders of the Islamic community after the Prophet. Shias consider the term to be only applicable to the members and descendants of the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In Twelver Shīʿīsm there are 14 infallibles, 12 of which are Imams, the final being Imam Mahdi who will return at the end of times. The title was also used by the Zaidi Shia Imams of Yemen, who eventually founded the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1918–1970).

Sunni imams

Sunni Islam does not conceive of the role of imams in the same sense as Shia Islam: an important distinction often overlooked by non-Muslims. In everyday terms, an imam for Sunni Muslims is the person charged with leading formal Islamic prayers (Fard)—even in locations besides the mosque—whenever prayer is performed in a group of two or more. The imam leads the worship and the congregation copies his actions. Friday sermons are most often given by an appointed imam. All mosques have an imam to lead the congregational prayers—even though it may sometimes just be a member from the gathered congregation rather than an officially appointed, salaried person. Women cannot be imams when men are present but are allowed to be when no men are present. An imam should be chosen, according to Hadith, based on his knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah and his moral character.

Title of scholarly authority

Another well-known use of the term is as an honorary title for a recognized religious scholarly authority in Islam. It is especially used for a jurist (faqīh) and often for the founders of the four Sunni madhhabs or schools of jurisprudence (fiqh), as well as an authority on Quranic exegesis (tafsīr), such as Al-Tabari or Ibn Kathir.

It may also refer to the Muhaddithūn or scholars who created the analytical sciences related to Hadith and sometimes refer to the heads of Muhammad's family in their generational times due to their scholarly authority.

Imam Ibrahim Hawlery
Occupation
Occupation typevocation
Activity sectorsreligion
Description
CompetenciesKnowledge of Quran and Sunnah, religious devotion
Education requiredMadrassa, İmam Hatip school or university education
Fields of
employment		Mosque
Related jobsMufti

The position of imams in Turkey

Imams are appointed by the state to work at mosques and they are required to be graduates of an İmam Hatip high school or have a university degree in theology. This is an official position regulated by the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey and only males are appointed to this position, whilst female officials under the same state organisation work as preachers and Qur'an course tutors, religious services experts, etc. These officials are supposed to belong to the Hanafi school of the Sunni sect.

A central figure in an Islamic movement is also called an imam, like Imam Nawawi in Syria.

Shia imams

Main articles: Imamate in Shia doctrine and The Twelve Imams

In the Shi'a context, an imam is not only presented as the man of God par excellence, but as participating fully in the names, attributes, and acts that theology usually reserves for God alone. Imams have a meaning more central to belief, referring to leaders of the community. Twelver and Ismaili Shi'a believe that these imams are chosen by God to be perfect examples for the faithful and to lead all humanity in all aspects of life. They also believe that all the imams chosen are free from committing any sin, impeccability which is called ismah. These leaders must be followed since they are appointed by God.

Twelver

Here follows a list of the Twelvers Shia imams:

Number Name
(Full/Kunya)		 Title
(Arabic/Turkish)		 Birth–Death
(CE/AH)		 Importance Birthplace (present day country) Place of death and burial
1 Ali ibn Abi Talib
علي بن أبي طالب
Abu al-Hassan or Abu al-Husayn
أبو الحسین or أبو الحسن 		Amir al-Mu'minin
(Commander of the Faithful)
Birinci Ali 		600–661
23 BH–40 		The first imam and successor of Muhammad in Shia Islam; however, the Sunnis acknowledge him as the fourth Caliph as well. He holds a high position in almost all Sufi Muslim orders (Turuq); the members of these orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through him. Mecca, Saudi Arabia Assassinated by Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam, a Kharijite in Kufa, who slashed him with a poisoned sword. Buried at the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq.
2 Hassan ibn Ali
الحسن بن علي
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد 		al-Mujtaba
İkinci Ali 		624–670
3–50 		He was the eldest surviving grandson of Muhammad through Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah Zahra. Hasan succeeded his father as the caliph in Kufa, and on the basis of peace treaty with Muawiya I, he relinquished control of Iraq following a reign of seven months. Medina, Saudi Arabia Poisoned by his wife in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
3 Husayn ibn Ali
الحسین بن علي
Abu Abdillah
أبو عبدالله 		Sayed al-Shuhada
Üçüncü Ali 		626–680
4–61 		He was a grandson of Muhammad. Husayn opposed the validity of Caliph Yazid I. As a result, he and his family were later killed in the Battle of Karbala by Yazid's forces. After this incident, the commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali has become a central ritual in Shia identity. Medina, Saudi Arabia Killed on Day of Ashura (10 Muharram) and beheaded at the Battle of Karbala. Buried at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq.
4 Ali ibn al-Hussein
علي بن الحسین
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد 		al-Sajjad, Zain al-Abedin
Dördüncü Ali 		658–9 – 712
38–95 		Author of prayers in Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, which is known as "The Psalm of the Household of the Prophet." Medina, Saudi Arabia According to most Shia scholars, he was poisoned on the order of Caliph al-Walid I in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
5 Muhammad ibn Ali
محمد بن علي
Abu Ja'far
أبو جعفر 		al-Baqir al-Ulum

(splitting open knowledge)

Beşinci Ali 		677–732
57–114 		Sunni and Shia sources both describe him as one of the early and most eminent legal scholars, teaching many students during his tenure. Medina, Saudi Arabia According to some Shia scholars, he was poisoned by Ibrahim ibn Walid ibn 'Abdallah in Medina, Saudi Arabia on the order of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. Buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
6 Ja'far ibn Muhammad
جعفر بن محمد
Abu Abdillah
أبو عبدالله 		al-Sadiq


(the Trustworthy)

Altıncı Ali 		702–765
83–148 		Established the Ja'fari jurisprudence and developed the Theology of Shia. He instructed many scholars in different fields, including Abu Hanifah and Malik ibn Anas in fiqh, Wasil ibn Ata and Hisham ibn Hakam in Islamic theology, and Jābir ibn Hayyān in science and alchemy. Medina, Saudi Arabia According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in Medina, Saudi Arabia on the order of Caliph Al-Mansur. Buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
7 Musa ibn Ja'far
موسی بن جعفر
Abu al-Hassan I
أبو الحسن الأول 		al-Kazim
Yedinci Ali 		744–799
128–183 		Leader of the Shia community during the schism of Ismaili and other branches after the death of the former imam, Jafar al-Sadiq. He established the network of agents who collected khums in the Shia community of the Middle East and the Greater Khorasan. Medina, Saudi Arabia Imprisoned and poisoned in Baghdad, Iraq on the order of Caliph Harun al-Rashid. Buried in the Kazimayn shrine in Baghdad.
8 Ali ibn Musa
علي بن موسی
 al-Rida, Reza
Sekizinci Ali 		765–817
148–203 		Made crown-prince by Caliph Al-Ma'mun, and famous for his discussions with both Muslim and non-Muslim religious scholars. Medina, Saudi Arabia According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in Mashad, Iran on the order of Caliph Al-Ma'mun. Buried in the Imam Reza shrine in Mashad.
9 Muhammad ibn Ali
محمد بن علي
Abu Ja'far
أبو جعفر 		al-Taqi, al-Jawad
Dokuzuncu Ali 		810–835
195–220 		Famous for his generosity and piety in the face of persecution by the Abbasid caliphate. Medina, Saudi Arabia Poisoned by his wife, Al-Ma'mun's daughter, in Baghdad, Iraq on the order of Caliph Al-Mu'tasim. Buried in the Kazmain shrine in Baghdad.
10 Ali ibn Muhammad
علي بن محمد
Abu al-Hassan III
أبو الحسن الثالث 		al-Hadi, al-Naqi
Onuncu Ali 		827–868
212–254 		Strengthened the network of deputies in the Shia community. He sent them instructions, and received in turn financial contributions of the faithful from the khums and religious vows. Surayya, a village near Medina, Saudi Arabia According to Shia sources, he was poisoned in Samarra, Iraq on the order of Caliph Al-Mu'tazz. Buried in the Al Askari Mosque in Samarra.
11 Hassan ibn Ali
الحسن بن علي
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد 		al-Askari
Onbirinci Ali 		846–874
232–260 		For most of his life, the Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mu'tamid, placed restrictions on him after the death of his father. Repression of the Shi'ite population was particularly high at the time due to their large size and growing power. Medina, Saudi Arabia According to Shia, he was poisoned on the order of Caliph Al-Mu'tamid in Samarra, Iraq. Buried in Al Askari Mosque in Samarra.
12 Muhammad ibn al-Hassan
محمد بن الحسن
Abu al-Qasim
أبو القاسم 		al-Mahdi, Hidden Imam, al-Hujjah
Onikinci Ali 		868–unknown
255–unknown 		According to Twelver doctrine, he is the current imam and the promised Mahdi, a messianic figure who will return with Isa (Jesus). He will reestablish the rightful governance of Islam and replete the earth with justice and peace. Samarra, Iraq According to Shia doctrine, he has been living in the Occultation since 872, which shall continue as long as God wills it.

Fatimah, also Fatimah al-Zahraa, daughter of Muhammed (615–632), is also considered infallible but not an Imam. The Shi'a believe that the last Imam, the 12th Imam Mahdi will one day emerge on the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamah).

Ismaili

See Imamah (Ismaili doctrine) and List of Ismaili imams for Ismaili imams.

Zaidi

See details under Zaidiyyah, Islamic history of Yemen and Imams of Yemen.

Imams as secular rulers

At times, imams have held both secular and religious authority. This was the case in Oman among the Kharijite or Ibadi sects. At times, the imams were elected. At other times the position was inherited, as with the Yaruba dynasty from 1624 and 1742. See List of rulers of Oman, the Rustamid dynasty: 776–909, Nabhani dynasty: 1154–1624, the Yaruba dynasty: 1624–1742, the Al Said: 1744–present for further information. The Imamate of Futa Jallon (1727–1896) was a Fulani state in West Africa where secular power alternated between two lines of hereditary Imams, or almami. In the Zaidi Shiite sect, imams were secular as well as spiritual leaders who held power in Yemen for more than a thousand years. In 897, a Zaidi ruler, al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya, founded a line of such imams, a theocratic form of government which survived until the second half of the 20th century (See details under Zaidiyyah, History of Yemen, Imams of Yemen). Saudi leaders were also referred to as "Imams", until that term was retired by Ibn Saud to be replaced by "king".

Ruhollah Khomeini is officially referred to as Imam in Iran. Several Iranian places and institutions are named "Imam Khomeini", including a city, an international airport, a hospital, and a university.

Gallery

Imams

See also

Notes

  1. The abbreviation CE refers to the Common Era solar calendar, while AH refers to the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar.

Citations

  1. Corbin 1993, p. 30
  2. Dhami, Sangeeta; Sheikh, Aziz (November 2000). "The Muslim family". Western Journal of Medicine. 173 (5): 352–356. doi:10.1136/ewjm.173.5.352. ISSN 0093-0415. PMC 1071164. PMID 11069879.
  3. "Presidency of Religious Affairs". www.diyanet.gov.tr.
  4. Amir-Moezzi, Ali (2008). Spirituality and Islam. London: Tauris. p. 103. ISBN 9781845117382.
  5. The imam's Arabic titles are used by the majority of Twelver Shia who use Arabic as a liturgical language, including the Usooli, Akhbari, Shaykhi, and to a lesser extent Alawi. Turkish titles are generally used by Alevi, a fringe Twelver group, who make up around 10% of the world Shia population. The titles for each imam literally translate as "First Ali", "Second Ali", and so forth. Mattar, Philip (2004). Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa. Detroit, Mich: Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 9780028657691.
  6. ^ Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. "Ali". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  7. ^ Mattar, Philip (2004). Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa. Detroit, Mich: Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 9780028657691.
  8. Tabatabae (1979), pp.190-192
  9. Tabatabae (1979), p.192
  10. ^ "Hasan". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  11. Tabatabae (1979), pp.194–195
  12. Madelung, Wilferd. "Hasan ibn Ali". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  13. Tabatabae (1979), p.195
  14. ^ "al-Husayn". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  15. Tabatabae (1979), pp.196–199
  16. Calmard, Jean. "Husayn ibn Ali". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  17. ^ Madelung, Wilferd. "'ALĪ B. AL-ḤOSAYN". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  18. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.202
  19. ^ Madelung, Wilferd. "AL-BAQER, ABU JAFAR MOHAMMAD". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  20. Tabatabae (1979), p.203
  21. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.203-204
  22. "Wāṣil ibn ʿAṭāʾ". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 1 January 2019.
  23. ^ Madelung, Wilferd. "'ALĪ AL-HĀDĪ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  24. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.205
  25. Tabatabae (1979) p. 78
  26. Sachedina (1988), pp.53–54
  27. ^ Tabatabae (1979), pp.205–207
  28. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p. 207
  29. ^ Madelung, Wilferd. "'ALĪ AL-HĀDĪ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  30. Tabatabae (1979), pp.208–209
  31. ^ Halm, H. "'ASKARĪ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  32. Tabatabae (1979) pp. 209–210
  33. Tabatabae (1979), pp.209–210
  34. "Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Hujjah". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  35. ^ Tabatabae (1979), pp.210–211
  36. Tabatabae (1979), pp. 211–214
  37. Miles, Samuel Barrett (1919). The Countries and Tribes of the Persian Gulf. Garnet Pub. pp. 50, 437. ISBN 978-1-873938-56-0. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  38. Holt, P. M.; Holt, Peter Malcolm; Lambton, Ann K. S.; Bernard Lewis (1977-04-21). The Cambridge History of Islam. Cambridge University Press. p. 365. ISBN 978-0-521-29137-8.

Works cited

General references

  • Martin, Richard C. (2004). "Imam". Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Muslim World. Vol. 1: Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World: A–L. MacMillan. ISBN 0-02-865604-0.
  • Momen, Moojan (1985). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelve. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-03531-4.

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