A Muslim religious leader who leads prayers and teaches Islamic theology and practice at a mosque.
What imams do
Imams lead the five daily prayers and the Friday Jummah service, deliver the khutbah, teach Quran and Islamic law, officiate marriages and funerals, and counsel community members. Many also direct weekend Islamic schools and youth programs.
Training path
Most imams complete a multi-year program at an Islamic seminary studying classical Arabic, Quranic recitation, Hadith, fiqh (jurisprudence), and aqidah (theology). Institutions include Al-Azhar University, Darul Uloom Deoband, and Hartford Seminary in the US.
Work setting
Mosques are the primary employers, ranging from large community-funded centers to small storefront mosques. Other roles include college Muslim Student Association advisors, military chaplains, prison chaplains, and hospital pastoral care staff.
Find more professions by letter
Imam starts with I and ends with M. Browse other professions along the same letter.
Professions that contain a letter from "Imam":