The class of Islamic religious scholars and jurists who interpret religious law, theology, and Islamic studies, serving as the learned authorities of the Muslim community.
From Arabic 'ulama' (plural of 'alim'), meaning 'learned ones' or 'those who know,' derived from 'ilm' (knowledge). The term emphasizes their role as keepers and interpreters of Islamic knowledge.
The ulema were medieval Islam's equivalent of university professors, supreme court justices, and public intellectuals all rolled into one—they preserved Greek philosophy, advanced mathematics, and settled legal disputes while maintaining religious authority!
Islamic scholarly tradition historically dominated by men; term refers to religious scholars, predominantly male practitioners for centuries. Modern usage increasingly includes female scholars, though institutional barriers persist in many regions.
Use 'Islamic scholars' or 'religious scholars' when gender-neutral needed; 'ulema' remains appropriate for the specific tradition and when inclusivity is demonstrated through diverse examples.
["Islamic scholars","religious scholars","learned clergy"]
Women have contributed to Islamic scholarship for centuries (e.g., Aisha bint Abu Bakr as hadith scholar), though historically marginalized from formal institutional recognition. Contemporary female ulema are reclaiming and expanding this role.
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