Imam (Prayer Leader)
The person who leads the congregational prayer at the mosque.
Imam (Arabic: إمام) means "leader" or "role model" and in the context of prayer refers to the person who leads the congregational prayer (salah) at the mosque. The imam stands at the front and the worshippers follow his movements.
Any adult Muslim with sufficient knowledge of the prayer and the Quran can serve as imam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The one who has the most knowledge of Allah's Book should lead the prayer. If they are equal in this, then the one who has the most knowledge of the sunnah."
In many mosques, the imam is a full-time employed religious leader who also teaches, counsels and delivers sermons (khutbah). Imams play an important role in the Muslim community as religious guides and bridge-builders.
Related terms
Hijri (Islamic Calendar)
The Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the Prophet's migration to Medina.
Tayammum (Dry Purification)
Ritual purification with clean earth, when water is not available.
Salat al-Wahsha (The Prayer of Loneliness)
A prayer performed on the first night after burial for the soul of the deceased.
Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
The fourth daily prayer, performed just after sunset.
Akhirah (The Hereafter)
Life after death — the eternal life that prayer prepares the believer for.
Du'a al-Qunut (The Qunut Supplication in Witr)
The special supplication recited during the last rak'ah of the Witr prayer.