Muslim Religious Scholars

Religious scholars advance by becoming well-known for their ideas, publishing books, and giving presentations at major Islamic research conferences. Some become leaders of Islamic associations or think tanks. Scholars who work as college teachers move through the normal pattern of advancement—from instructor to assistant professor, to associate professor, to full professor. A few become college or university presidents or other types of administrators. A scholar who also works as an imam might eventually become a member of the mosque’s executive committee or board. The most learned religious scholars are known as muftis. They issue rulings on Islamic law.