In Islam, the ulama (/ˈuːləˌmɑː/; Arabic: علماء‎ ʿUlamāʾ, singular عالِم ʿĀlim, “scholar”, literally “the learned ones”, also spelled ulema; feminine: alimah [singular] and aalimath [plural]) are the guardians, transmitters, and interpreters of religious knowledge in Islam, including Islamic doctrine and law.

By longstanding tradition, ulama are educated in religious institutions (madrasas). The Quran and sunnah (authentic hadith) are the scriptural sources of traditional Islamic law.

Aalim (Muslim scholars trained in Islam and Islamic law) who are the interpreters of Islam’s sciences and doctrines and laws and the chief guarantors of continuity in the spiritual and intellectual history of the Islamic community ulema (Muslim scholars trained in Islam and Islamic law) who are the interpreters of Islam’s sciences and doctrines and laws and the chief guarantors of continuity in the spiritual and intellectual history of the Islamic community