Discussion – Ulama
Role and function of the Ulama
The Ulama in Islamic religion refers to the chief religious ruling classes, which include Imams, priests, advisers, teachers, and judges. In addition, they view themselves as successors of Prophet Muhammed, masters of the Quran, and moral instructors of the believers. As such, they defend their entitlement to religious authority by appealing ‘the Quranic injunction’ that denotes ‘obey God and all who have authority among people’ (Juan, p. 683). However, the Ulama are not priesthoods because they do not perform sacramental rituals for the laity. Instead, they advise individuals about the commandments of God and issue opinions, bans, and verdicts on conflicting and legal issues.
As such, Sunni Islam, the largest denomination of the Islamic faith, has established Sunni Ulama, which is constructed upon a network of connections that spread from the mosque to marketplaces, households, and regions. Shii Ulama differs from Sunni Ulama as they base their authority on a perspective of the dependability of Imams. These groups believe that they are acclaimed heirs of Muhammed’s clan. Consequently, Shii Ulama has formulated a centralized order since the 18th century having the top hierarchs as jurists (Juan, p. 683). Furthermore, their authority over Muslim society was pervasive, and they received government support. For instance, in the Ottoman Empire, their role was to encourage essential policies decisively. However, in the modern era, the Ulama seems to have diminished its influence in Western religions. Regardless, they still sustain conservative masses in Muslim regions.
Evolution of the Ulama position in Muslim communities
Muslims believe that the word ‘Ulama’ refers to the people who have the skill, especially of Islam. The Ulama developed as the first group to interpret the Quran. They were regarded as the hadith transmitters, which are the terms and actions of Prophet Mohammed. More so, they became the first to demonstrate the basic values of Islamic law (Diez, n.p). As such, they were core to developing Islamic education in the pre-modern period, particularly in the Middle East.
Furthermore, the Ulama controlled instruction at all Islamic sections. They played a crucial role in the training process of Muslim scholars in residential colleges developed in the 11th century. The old education systems formulated a rigorous curriculum centered around law instruction, theologians, government functionaries, and educating future jurists (Diez, n.p). Moreover, the higher education institutions were the first in a sequence of successful trials to connect the Ulama to political establishments in Islamic regions.
Often, the Ulama are viewed as a group when, in reality, their membership and socioeconomic status are varied. For example, lawyers and adjudicators were fundamental people of the Ulama as their legal knowledge was essential to the regulation of the Muslim community in business and social issues like marriage and trade. Until the mid-19th era, governments in the Middle East provided jobs to Ulama members as secretaries, tax collectors, inspectors, and scribes (Diez, n.p). Consequently, they developed a cultural choice and sustained the respect of the Islamic masses because they were viewed as pure protectors and translators of the Muslim faith. Therefore, the attainment of an independent jurisdiction of the Ulama enabled them to continue to support Muslim principles.
However, the Ulama resisted the emergence of secularism and nationalism in the Middle East because they feared the impacts of modernism and improvements. In the 19th century, these changes caused almost all traditional powers of the Sunni Ulama, such as government, law, and education, to be stripped away during the Ottoman Empire period. In addition, the seizure of Waqf possession, which was a traditional way to support the Ulama economically, caused an increase in their dependence on state authority for support and further compromised their influence in religion and politics (Diez, n.p). In the late 19th century, individual members like Muhammad Abduh led their influence in religious and education improvements through Al-Azhar, the Sunni theological institution in Egypt.
Ultimately, the Muslim political regimes in Egypt in the 20th era managed to avoid the compromised traditional model of the Ulama. Unlike the old model, the modern Sunni Ulama relies on the definition and extent of their control. The functions of the Ulama in Iran have reached high levels of political and religious control since the revolution of Iran in 1979 (Diez, n.p). Due to the weakening of the Safavid and Qajar empires, the Ulama authority increased and strengthened. Consequently, the Shii Ulama in Iran effectively used their religious status as the legal interpreters of Muslims to stand against the modern secular bureaucracy.
The most important contribution of the Ulama in Islamic society
The fundamental contribution of the Ulama, particularly in the Muslim community, is to interpret the religious law. They are versed in both theory and practice to comprehend Muslim sciences and become religious teachers of Muslim society (Diez, n.p). Historically, they formulated a consensus to address theological and legal challenges that affected the communal practices of the future groups.
Today, is the Ulama more aligned with Islamic reform or fundamentalism?
Today, the Ulama is more aligned with fundamentalism reform than Islamic reform. Over the years, the Ulama has gradually gained its stability under the principle of ‘the belief that believers emerging after the prophetic era have limited independent access to Quran Scriptures.’ Therefore, they need to incorporate themselves into a group of witnesses and mentors who allow them to revisit the origin of Muslim principles (Diez, n.p). These convictions actively shape the connections the Ulama acquire with scriptures, Muslim believers, and their advisers. Nonetheless, its practical utilization has significantly changed over the years due to various technological changes.
In my perspective, the Ulama today should play a distinctive role in transnational networks, such as the establishment of the Muslim Council of Elders. This role can effectively help the Ulama in using legal and theological techniques to address modern problems without sanctioning Salafis’ pure literalism and, similarly, not resorting to Muslim political activism (Diez, n.p). Therefore, this trend can develop various religious personalities, such as judicial schools. As such, the struggle for power and influence between the Ulama and their counterparts could result in violence. Thus, it is vital to play a key role in administering peace and progress.
Women Ulama and the benefits they bring to the Islamic community
Recently, women in Ulama have begun to gain momentum in addressing issues within the Islamic community. For instance, they play a vital role in addressing gender imbalances in the juristic profession. Progressively, some regions, such as Turkey, have established programs to train Muslim ladies as judges who can provide expertise regarding legal perspectives (Künkler and Eva). More so, Muslim judicial states in Malaysia have begun to employ women as jurists in the sharia courts. Furthermore, women Ulama are experts in various modern issues. Based on their religious interpretations, women use an unrestricted reasoning technique to maximize public interest and minimize harm when ruling (Künkler and Eva). Also, women in Ulama have the capability and professionalism in Islamic sources to develop the three fatwas recommendations. Therefore, women play a diverse role in providing expertise and guidance on contemporary issues.
Works Cited
Juan, E. Campo. “Encyclopedia of Islam.” Facts on File (2009): 282-684
Künkler, Mirjam, and Eva Nisa. “A Fatwa Against Sexual Violence: The Story Of A Historic Congress Of Female Islamic Scholars.” Opendemocracy, 2017, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/fatwa-sexual-violence-women-islamic-scholars/.
Diez, Martino. “Ulama, the Heirs of the Prophets.” (2018).
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Question 
There is no priestly group within Islam, but the closest thing to it is the ulama, who interpret Islamic law (sharia) and play an ever-changing role in the history of Islam. Discuss the role and function of the ulama in terms of prophets, priests, and rabbis. Is there one group to whom they are most similar? Then, outline the evolution of their position In Muslim societies throughout time. In your view, what have been their most important contributions to Islamic society? At the present time, are the ulama more aligned with Islamic reform or Islamic fundamentalism? What do you think should be their role today? Finally, what do you think about women ulama, and what advantages do you think they would bring to Islamic communities?
Discussion – Ulama
N.B.: Ulama can overlap with two other positions: qadi and mufti. Qadis are judges appointed by the caliph or ruler who issue rulings in particular cases brought before their courts. Muftis are ulama who issue opinions on Islamic law known as fatwas. Ulama is the most general term; some ulama serve as judges, some issue legal opinions, and some simply serve in local communities and serve as religious leaders.
A basic orientation:
https://books.google.com/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&pg=PA683&lpg=PA683&dq=ulama+and+rabbis&source=bl&ots=eYrlvJoSYa&sig=ACfU3U0fnzQ7W-DimM3VB_75acvso9fsgA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8n8jg4OXpAhUCnq0KHfAWCHsQ6AEwEXoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=ulama%20and%20rabbis&f=false (Links to an external site.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulama (Links to an external site.)
More detail:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_religious_leaders (Links to an external site.)
On history and involvement in politics:
https://www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/islam/islam/muslim-scholars (Links to an external site.)
Good history of the role and position of ulama in Islamic society and states:
https://www.oasiscenter.eu/en/ulama-who-they-are (Links to an external site.)
On women as ulama:
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/fatwa-sexual-violence-women-islamic-scholars/ (Links to an external site.)