ABSTRACT
It is frequently said that there are no clergy in Islam. is statement is true in some respects but is probably more misleading than helpful. To be sure, there is no group ordained to a sacramental function in the manner of Christian clergy but there is a class of people who have a status and functions similar to clergy, though they are more like Orthodox Jewish rabbis than Christian clergy. ey are also similar to lawyers in many respects. ese are the ‘ulamā’. In this chapter we will consider some of their various roles and activities, especially in relation to worship and education.
