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Zaid Alsalami,
Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from ANU, Canberra. He has written and translated several Islamic texts and also prepared educational videos on Islamic rulings and practices. 478 Answers
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Mahmood Abu Maryam,
Trying to make sense of it all... 48 Answers
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Passed |
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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi,
Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to religious questions. In the past, he has also spent significant time in India guiding the community. 2547 Answers
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Zoheir Ali Esmail,
Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD from the University of Exeter in the philosophical and mystical readings of Mulla Sadra in the context of the schools of Tehran and Qum. 351 Answers
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Amina Inloes,
Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the Islamic College in London and also the Managing Editor of the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies. 521 Answers
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Bismihi ta'ala
The word imām simply means one who leads. It comes from the root word 'amma, which means someone who other people follow.
The Arabic word amām means front or forward, and imām, denotes that as well, because the leader or one who is being followed is going to be in the front. The term ummah also comes from the same root word as well.
The opposite of the imām is the ma'mūm, which means the follower (ma'mūmīn -followers). The plural for imām is a'imma.
For example, the person leading prayer is called imām jamā'ah, or leader of congregational prayer. The follower/s are called ma'mūm/ma'mūmīn.
The Quran makes reference to this term, using it for righteous leaders, but also using it for evil leaders as well (like surah tawbah, 12).
Therefore, the term imām can be used in different ways, depending on its context.
It could be imām of congregational prayer. The term imām could be used as a title for a scholar, like the local imām who is an Islamic cleric. It could be used for someone who aspires to become a leader among the righteous, like the verse:
وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
It could be used as an honorific title for someone who was a great leader, like Imām Khomeini.
It could be imām of the four Sunni Madhhabs, like Imām al-Shafi'i.
It could be used as a title for the chief leader, or a ruler, or a caliph.
In our Shi'i context, we avoid using the word caliph as a title for our leaders and the successors of the Prophet (s.a.w), and we refer to them as Imāms, like Imām Ali, etc.
And Allah knows best.