Abstract:

The word "imam" originates from the Arabic root “EMM” and has several meanings such as "chief, pioneer, leader, caliph, and guide." Drawing upon its lexical definitions, religious literature has covered a wide spectrum of its usage over time. Naturally, it has gained various meanings in different contexts ranging from spiritual life to social relations. The richness of its implications also stems from the Quran, which presents distinct semantic usages of imam. Therefore, in their respective literature, the sub-disciplines of Islamic studies such as tafsir, kalam, fiqh, and Sufism have developed different concepts related to the very same word. Moreover, Shi‘i tradition has produced its own theological and political notions concerning “imam” and “the imamate,” a derivative from the same Arabic root. Consequently, it broadened the repertoire of the signification of the term “imam.” Inheriting the legacy of Islamic civilization, the Ottomans used the word imam extensively in their daily lives, such as in their cuisine or mosques. Today, in modern Turkish social life, "imam" is more often than not confined to a professional title as "a religious official who leads prayers." Relying on certain Arabic and Turkish dictionaries, this article demonstrates and examines a gamut of meanings related to the word "imam" based on Islamic literature and Ottoman archival documents.

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