MUSLIMS: Is an "imam" the same thing as a "prophet"? Or would "preacher" be a more accurate translation?

Question

Also, are women prophets (prophetesses) recognized in Islam? There were several in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

If there were women prophets in Islam, who were they?

Answer 1

No it doesn't translate to prophet, preacher is closer but this description can vary and from sect to sect.

It is difficult to describe the methods to become an imam. The term imam means several different things to the different Islamic sects. So, for example, anyone who leads prayers at a prayer service is temporarily an imam. To become an imam in this sense one may merely need to be an adult male.

The term imam is also given to some heads of Arabic states. So for example, the Shiite Islamic sect considers Ayatollah Khomeini an imam. The term imam can mean simply leader and can be more a title of honor than a job for which one prepares.

Some Islamic congregations do hire an imam to work in much the same function as a parish priest or rabbi. He may help guide the congregation, but often the job of discussing the Qur’an is left up to a Sheikh.

Some groups of both Sunni and Shiite might accept a female imam. There may be guidelines. The woman must have significant study in the Qur’an, be virtuous, and may have to stand behind the men to lead prayer, as is often the custom in mosques. Sometimes a woman may become an imam and prayer leader only for groups of women, or only for her family.

This subject of who can become an imam is still under debate since the Qur’an does not explicitly express that a women cannot become an imam. In fact, one of the wives of Muhammad is said to have led the women in prayer.

In 2005, Turkey became one of the first countries to welcome women who wished to become an imam. The country is currently educating over 100 women who wish to become an imam, or a vaize, a preacher.

In general however, the imam as leader of a community still tends to be male, and is usually better accepted when male. Often the imam will have an advanced education, and will be very knowledgeable about Sharia, the Islamic law set down in the Qur’an and further writings. This helps the imam who works in a pastoral capacity to counsel members of the mosque.

Sometimes those who study Sharia are called clerics by the western world. In general, those versed in Sharia are actually more accurately termed an imam. For those wishing to become an imam, the best course of action may be to consult an imam from one’s sect of Islam. They will be most familiar with the topic and will help one learn the specific requirements for study within that sect.

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Will post info about female prophets if I find any, i'm curious too.
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I can't find any information about female prophets in Islam, keep getting results about female circumcision. Females aren't mentioned at all in Wikipedia's explanation of prophet.

Answer 2

The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last (and greatest) of all the prophets. While I am not a Muslim, I would say that an imam is closer to a pastor/rabbi than anything else. (they are teachers but can have wives/children)

Can't answer the others, but they are excellent. I hope to read a good answer from one of our Muslim friends.

peace

Answer 3

An imam is a religious leader..nothing more.

There are no known female prophets in Islam. Here is a link of a google group discussion that explains it all:

http://groups.google.com/group/soc.religion.islam/browse_frm/thread/e41fe9f622c8598c/3fda4c28ba07c3d9?lnk=st&q=female+prophets+in+islam&rnum=1#3fda4c28ba07c3d9

The Quran states: [21:7] We did not send before you except men whom we inspired. Ask those who know the scripture, if you do not know.

Which makes it clear...that there are no female prophets in Islam.

Here is a list of the Prophets listed in the Quran;
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/6693/plist.html

Answer 4

The everyday use of the word Imam is for a person leading the Muslim congregational prayers and offering the Friday sermon. It is similar to a preacher.

a prophet is a person who has directly encountered God, of whose intentions he can then speak as if he were a formal representative of God .

There are no female prophets but When naming the best woman who ever lived, Mohammed pbuh named Mary (Maryam in Arabic), the mother of Jesus, as the best woman to ever live.

Answer 5

on an analogous time as I easily have never considered, much less study this actual Bible, John a million:a million does study God, and not "A god" whilst all factors of the financial ruin and different verses else the place that cope with the subject rely say, God. Sorry, basically a million God, who manifests Himself as He chooses.

Answer 6

An imam would be like a minister.

Answer 7

No it doesn't translate to prophet, preacher is closer