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Definition:
Technically ulama means "the learned" (one who possess knowledge,
ilm) and is used to refer to religious scholars. In Sunni Islam, the
ulama is regarded as the defenders of orthodoxy against the encroachments
of secularism and modernity.
Sometimes they are employed by the state and other times by private religious institutions, but when employed by the state they are often in a difficult situation. It cannot always be said that the state acts in strict accordance with Muslim doctrines, so in such cases should the ulama support their employer or condemn their employer?
Quite often the former is chosen, and because of this there has developed a "crisis of faith" among many Muslims who know that their governments are acting imporoperly but failing to see any of their religious authorities taking a stand. The consequence of this is that a vacuum of authority which is often filled by people who lack much in the way of religious training but who are, nevertheless, willing to take a moral and religious stand agianst what Muslims recognize as genuine problems.
Unfortunately, those willing to take this stand also tend to be extremists who are on the fringes of Islamic religious traditions, such as Osama bin Laden. He has no religious training or religious authority, but he still issues fatwas (something only the ulama are supposed to do) which are accepted as authoritative by many Muslims.
Also Known As: singular: alim
Alternate Spellings: ulema
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Islam?
What is Islam? What do Muslims believe? Where did Islam come from? What is jihad? Find the answers to these questions and more in our Islam FAQ.
