Mollah
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Definition
Noun: A Muslim religious scholar or teacher, specifically one who is trained in Islamic doctrine and law. Historically, the term can also refer to the leader of a mosque.
Usage
The word is used as a title or respectful term for a learned man in Islam, particularly in regions like South Asia and the Middle East. * The village mollah led the community in prayer. * He sought advice from the local mollah on a matter of religious law.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes be used more broadly for any Muslim who is notably devout or knowledgeable, not necessarily holding an official position.
- In historical contexts, "mollah" was a common title for judges, teachers, and jurists within the Ottoman Empire and Persianate societies.
Variants and Related Words
- Mullah: This is the most common alternate spelling in English.
- Mawla: An Arabic origin word meaning "master" or "lord," from which "mollah" is derived.
- Ulema: (Plural noun) The body of Muslim scholars who are recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology.
Synonyms
- Cleric
- Imam (specifically a prayer leader; can be synonymous in some contexts)
- Sheikh (a title for a leader or elder)
- Ayatollah (a high-ranking religious leader in Shia Islam)
Different Meanings
The core meaning is consistently a Muslim religious scholar. There is no significant divergence in meaning, though the spelling "Mullah" is far more prevalent in modern English usage.
Idioms / Phrases
- No common English idioms directly incorporate the word "mollah." The word itself functions as a specific title and is not typically used in figurative phrases.
Noun
- a Muslim trained in the doctrine and law of Islam; the head of a mosque