Imamate

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The word Imamate (Arabic: إمامة‎ Imāmah) is an Arabic word (Imam) with an English language suffix (ate) meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Islam.

Theological usage:

NOTE: The term Caliphate, an anglicanized Arabic word meaning successorship, is often used interchangably with the term Imamate. Both terms, not always but most often, refer to the position of Succeeding and Leading the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

• Imamah (Shi'a doctrine) - A divine institution which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. Its appointees (Imams) are divinly appointed; e.g. Prophethood and Prophets.
  • Imamah (Shi'a Twelver doctrine) - The doctrine of Imamate according to the Twelvers.
  • Imamah (Shi'a Ismaili doctrine) - The doctrine of Imamate according to the Ismailis.
  • Zaydiyyah - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Zaydis.
• Caliphate - A non-divine institution which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. Its appointees (Caliphs) are not divinly appointed; e.g. an Islamic scholar.
• Ahmadiyya - A non-divine institution which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. Its appointees (Caliphs) are not divinly appointed; e.g. an Islamic scholar. The Ahmadi doctrine of Imamate/Caliphate is almost identical to the of the Sunni doctrine.

Theological literature on the Imamate doctrine:

• Imamate and Leadership - by Mujtaba Musavi Lari
• Imamate: The Vicegerency of the Prophet - by Sa'id Akhtar Rizvi

Historical uasage may refer to:

• Caucasian Imamate - a state during the early and mid-19th century in the Eastern Caucasus.

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