Imam

Imam presiding over prayer, Nasreddine Dinet, circa 1922.

Imam (/ɪˈmɑːm/; Arabic: إمام, imām; pl.: أئمة, a'immah) is an Islamic leadership position. In Shia Islam, the Imams are absolute infallible leaders after the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims consider the term to be only applicable to the members of the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of Muhammad. In Twelver Shi'ism there are The Fourteen Infallibles, twelve of which are Imams. In Sunni Islam, an Imam generally refers to a religious leader, scholar, or the person who leads Muslims in prayer. The position is not necessarily hereditary or divinely appointed. Thus in Sunni Islam, anyone can study the basic Islamic teachings and become an Imam.

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