imam

i·mam also I·mam  (-mäm)

n. Islam

1.

a. In law and theology, the caliph who is successor to Muhammad as the lawful temporal leader of the Islamic community.

b. The male prayer leader in a mosque.

c. The Muslim worshiper who leads the recitation of prayer when two or more worshipers are present.

2.

a. A male spiritual and temporal leader regarded by Shiites as a descendant of Muhammad divinely appointed to guide humans.

b. An earthly representative of the 12 such leaders recognized by the majority form of Shiism.

3. A ruler claiming descent from Muhammad and exercising authority in an Islamic state.

4.

a. Any one of the founders of the four schools of law and theology.

b. An authoritative scholar who founds a school of law or theology.

5. Used as a title for an imam.

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[Arabic 'imm, leader, imam, from 'amma, to go before, lead; see mm in Semitic roots.]

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imam [ɪˈmɑːm], imaum [ɪˈmɑːm ɪˈmɔːm]

n Islam

1. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque

2. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community

3. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) an honorific title applied to eminent doctors of Islam, such as the founders of the orthodox schools

4. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) any of a succession of either seven or twelve religious leaders of the Shiites, regarded by their followers as divinely inspired

[from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

imam - (Islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for Shiites an imam is a recognized authority on Islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide imaum Mohammedanism, Muhammadanism, Muslimism, Islam, Islamism - the monotheistic religious system of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran; "Islam is a complete way of life, not a Sunday religion"; "the term Muhammadanism is offensive to Muslims who believe that Allah, not Muhammad, founded their religion" leader - a person who rules or guides or inspires others Moslem, Muslim - a believer in or follower of Islam

Translations

imam [ɪˈmɑːm] N → imán m

imam [ɪˈmɑːm] n → imam m