Ulama

Muslim legal scholars

In Islam, the ʿulamā (US: OO-lə-mah; also spelled ulema; Arabic: علماء, romanized: ʿulamāʾ; IPA: [ʕu.la.maːʔ]; lit. 'the learned ones'; singular عالم, ʿālim; [ʕaː.lim]), also known as Shuyukh or Mawlawi, are scholars and judges of Islamic doctrine and law. They are considered the guardians, transmitters, interpreters and legislators of religious knowledge in Islam. "Ulama" may refer broadly to the educated class of such religious scholars, including theologians, canon lawyers (muftis), judges (qadis), professors, and high state religious officials.

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