Imam. — Arabic word, from the root ‘nmm’ (to turn toward a place), “to mark on the head,” which means “guide,” antistes. In Islam, it designates: 1) the one who stands before the faithful in prayer and serves as a model in the movements; 2) the head of the community (who originally also fulfilled the previous function). For Sunnis, this head is the caliph, whose requirements and prerogatives are discussed under CALIFFO E CALIFFATO. The conception of the imam has had particular development among the Shiites: he must belong to the family of Muḥammad; God assists him (moderate Shiites), or is immanent in him in a particle of light (intermediate Shiites), or is actually identified with him (extreme Shiites). On this, see ISLAM. The Shiite term imam can also be applied to any leader and has been used especially for the founders of the four orthodox juridical schools.
IMAM
BIBL.: C. Huart, s.V. in Encyclopédie de l’Islam, II, p. 503 (with bibliography). Cf. also the bibliography of the entries cited above.