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DictionarymullahMuslim religious authority
noun

mullah

MUL-uh/ˈmʌlə/

A Muslim religious scholar or cleric.

The mullah answers questions about Islamic teachings after the evening prayer.

A Muslim religious teacher leads a small lesson in a mosque, seated beside an open Qur’an on a wooden bookstand while two attentive adult students follow his pointing gesture.
Etymology
mullahArabicmaster

Arabic mawla meant “master.” As a religious title, this expresses the authority of someone learned in theology and sacred law.

In context

Storytime Haven366:50
made Kim learn whole chapters of the Koran by heart, till he could deliver them with the very roll and cadence of a mullah
Kim by Rudyard Kipling 📚✨ | A Tale of Adventure and Espionage in India

More examples

  • She asks a local mullah for religious guidance.
  • Several mullahs discuss different interpretations of the passage.
  • The mullah teaches students how to read the Quran.

Forms

mullah · mullahs

Similar words

cleric
Cleric applies to religious leaders in many faiths.
scholar
Scholar emphasizes learning and research, not necessarily religious authority.