Post by Woodrow LI on Oct 5, 2013 16:51:29 GMT -6
While titles are often thought of as being clergy, keep in mind there are no ordained clergy in Islam.
The Titles are basically labels of respect similar to Mister, Esquire, Doctor, Sir, etc.
Sheikh: is my favorite as it is a title I personally carry. While it sounds impressive it need not be as in my case it is a title of respect for old age. Typically if a man has a gray beard over a fist width in length the man is granted the title of sheikh. It is also used as a sign of education particularly Islamic education and corresponds to meaning the person most knowledgeable about Islam in the community. Young men with at least a Bachelors degree are often given the title. It is also a Title given to landowners in some Arabic nations and Arabic tribal Chiefs.
Mufti: is more specific. It is a person qualified to explain Islamic law. Basically a trained lawyer usually with a Ph.D in Islamic Jurisprudence. Also the title given to lawmakers in some Arabic nations.
Mullah: This is derived from the Arabic word mawla (master) and is given to Teachers and scholars. It can also be used to designate the leader of a Mosque or person in control of the Mosque. The Mullah need not be an Imam of the Mosque, but often is.
Imam: The person who leads the prayers in a Mosque. This should be the person most knowledgable in the Qur'an at prayer times. It is not uncommon for the oldest person present to assume the role of Imam at prayer times. There are some condition under which a woman can serve as Imam, however no adult males can be present at the time. An Adult male is forbidden to pray behing a woman as it is felt it would be demeaning to the woman for a male to view her prostrated.
Wali: A person who serves as a Muslim's protector, mentor, guardian, friend, and role model. It is often confused with the word saddiq (Friend). While a wali should be a person's friend a friend is not necessarily a person's wali. We can have only a pious Muslim male as a wali. Often it will be a person's Father, Uncle, oldest Brother or Husband. It is also a term used to designate a Governor. Many English translations of the Qur'an translate Wali as friend, which gives the mistaken impression we can not have non-Muslims as friends.
Hafiz: a person who has memorized the entire Qur'an with very strict guidlelines. The Hafiz should be able to recite any ayyat of the Qur'an upon request and do so with proper pronunciation and correct speed. To be a Hafiz a person must be trained by a recognized Hafiz who can trace his line of Teachers back to one of the Sahabah and pass rigorous testing before a board composed of Hafiz. At one time nearly every Muslim Male above the age of 12 was a Hafiz. today only about 20% of all Muslims are Hafiz.
Khutbah: A sermon given by an Imam at a Mosque. Most Mosques will have one Khutbah a week, usually given about 15 minutes before the Jummah prayer. Some Imams give a Khutbah immediately after the Sunday Maghreb prayer. the Khutbah should relate primarily to local issues or be a Fatwah relating to an Islamic question.
Sahabah: "The Companions" these are Muslims who lived at the time of Muhammad(saws) and actually knew him in person.
I alone take responsibility for these definitions and admit they may not be complete. Others may disagree with them or have more information to add to any of them.
The Titles are basically labels of respect similar to Mister, Esquire, Doctor, Sir, etc.
Sheikh: is my favorite as it is a title I personally carry. While it sounds impressive it need not be as in my case it is a title of respect for old age. Typically if a man has a gray beard over a fist width in length the man is granted the title of sheikh. It is also used as a sign of education particularly Islamic education and corresponds to meaning the person most knowledgeable about Islam in the community. Young men with at least a Bachelors degree are often given the title. It is also a Title given to landowners in some Arabic nations and Arabic tribal Chiefs.
Mufti: is more specific. It is a person qualified to explain Islamic law. Basically a trained lawyer usually with a Ph.D in Islamic Jurisprudence. Also the title given to lawmakers in some Arabic nations.
Mullah: This is derived from the Arabic word mawla (master) and is given to Teachers and scholars. It can also be used to designate the leader of a Mosque or person in control of the Mosque. The Mullah need not be an Imam of the Mosque, but often is.
Imam: The person who leads the prayers in a Mosque. This should be the person most knowledgable in the Qur'an at prayer times. It is not uncommon for the oldest person present to assume the role of Imam at prayer times. There are some condition under which a woman can serve as Imam, however no adult males can be present at the time. An Adult male is forbidden to pray behing a woman as it is felt it would be demeaning to the woman for a male to view her prostrated.
Wali: A person who serves as a Muslim's protector, mentor, guardian, friend, and role model. It is often confused with the word saddiq (Friend). While a wali should be a person's friend a friend is not necessarily a person's wali. We can have only a pious Muslim male as a wali. Often it will be a person's Father, Uncle, oldest Brother or Husband. It is also a term used to designate a Governor. Many English translations of the Qur'an translate Wali as friend, which gives the mistaken impression we can not have non-Muslims as friends.
Hafiz: a person who has memorized the entire Qur'an with very strict guidlelines. The Hafiz should be able to recite any ayyat of the Qur'an upon request and do so with proper pronunciation and correct speed. To be a Hafiz a person must be trained by a recognized Hafiz who can trace his line of Teachers back to one of the Sahabah and pass rigorous testing before a board composed of Hafiz. At one time nearly every Muslim Male above the age of 12 was a Hafiz. today only about 20% of all Muslims are Hafiz.
Khutbah: A sermon given by an Imam at a Mosque. Most Mosques will have one Khutbah a week, usually given about 15 minutes before the Jummah prayer. Some Imams give a Khutbah immediately after the Sunday Maghreb prayer. the Khutbah should relate primarily to local issues or be a Fatwah relating to an Islamic question.
Sahabah: "The Companions" these are Muslims who lived at the time of Muhammad(saws) and actually knew him in person.
I alone take responsibility for these definitions and admit they may not be complete. Others may disagree with them or have more information to add to any of them.