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Both Sunni and Shia Islam do have authoritative figures. The Twelver Shia have it great with leadership in their Ayatollahs. Even the Sunni have accredited Imams. Sunni Muslims have theological colleges/universities where they receive degrees in Islamic jurisprudence. The Sunni don't have a centralized religious hierarchy like the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, but they do have established and accredited religious scholarship. I used to believe that the Sunni kind of do their own thing, but the more I looked into this, I came to find otherwise.
For a long time, when the Ottoman Empire was around, Sunni Muslims often looked to the Turkish caliphate. Many Ottoman subjects came to resent the Caliphate because Turkish needs often came first compared to the Albanian, Bosnian, then Arab subjects. Even since then, Sunni Islam has lacked a central religious leader/guardian.
I am fascinated that Sunni Islam doesn't have a central religious hierarchy establishment. But, that does not mean it does not have its own Clergy and accredited scholars. You can't just claim to be an Imam without credentials. In Egypt, they have ancient and highly esteemed Sunni scholarship universities where you learn Sunni theology.
ISIL claims to be the reestablishment of the Sunni religious hierarchy.
Here in the US there are over 2100 Mosques but less than 700 Imams. Most Mosques are built by individuals or local communities and the Imam more often than not is the oldest person present at prayer time.
Regardless of who has passed a course or is an imam, EVERYONE must go by the Qur'aan. There is no other way whether one is Sunni, Shia or whatever else.
Regardless of who has passed a course or is an imam, EVERYONE must go by the Qur'aan. There is no other way whether one is Sunni, Shia or whatever else.
I am only a human being and a Muslim.
I think one cause of confusion is non-Muslims equate Imams with Christian Clergy. There is no "Ordination" of Islamic Clergy, every Muslim is Clergy. No separation of Muslims, all Muslims are equal clergy. There is no central Authority that approves, selects, trains and assigns Imams. Any Muslim with the ability can build a Mosque wherever he desires and be the Imam in it. Many Mosques do begin as a spare room in the home of a person who desires to be an Imam. Most Mosques I am aware of consist of one Family. As the Family grows so does the Mosque.
I think one cause of confusion is non-Muslims equate Imams with Christian Clergy. There is no "Ordination" of Islamic Clergy, every Muslim is Clergy. No separation of Muslims, all Muslims are equal clergy. There is no central Authority that approves, selects, trains and assigns Imams. Any Muslim with the ability can build a Mosque wherever he desires and be the Imam in it. Many Mosques do begin as a spare room in the home of a person who desires to be an Imam. Most Mosques I am aware of consist of one Family. As the Family grows so does the Mosque.
Most people have little clue of the hierarchy of the leaders in other religions. It's just the easy go to word. People use Rabbi for Jews and Priest for Christians. It's just too much to explain Congregational Leaders who are usually the most or highly educated on facets of their book(s).
Regardless of who has passed a course or is an imam, EVERYONE must go by the Qur'aan. There is no other way whether one is Sunni, Shia or whatever else.
I am only a human being and a Muslim.
In a perfect world everyone should go by the Quran. It's not a perfect world.
Most people have little clue of the hierarchy of the leaders in other religions. It's just the easy go to word. People use Rabbi for Jews and Priest for Christians. It's just too much to explain Congregational Leaders who are usually the most or highly educated on facets of their book(s).
I agree
I find it nearly impossible if not impossible to explain the roles of clergy in terms of another religion.
ie:
Can't use Christian terms to explain a Rabbi or Imam
Can't use Judaic terms to explain a Priest or an Imam
Can't use Islamic terms to explain a Priest or Rabbi
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