Ulama

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. Alternatively, "ulama" may refer specifically to those holding governmental positions in an Islamic state. By longstanding tradition, ulama are educated in religious institutions (madrasas). The Quran and sunnah (authentic hadith) are the scriptural sources of traditional Islamic law.