Mulla
17
8.4
- noun
- /ˈmʊlə/
- Indian
:
mulá
- And although there are mullahs and religious scholars reportedly against these practices, the custom continues.
- Iranian mullahs
- mulla, ulema
- mad mullahs
Examples
-
In the meantime, however, the mullahs seem likely to do just enough to avoid the abyss.
Academic text (2004) -
I know myself, being Iranian, that the mullahs prefer an Obama victory.
Blog text (18) -
The mullahs have taken to the streets.
-
Unless they fix the economy, the mullahs will be in trouble.
Academic text (2002) -
The mullahs are in a losing battle with human nature, and they know it.
Academic text (2002) -
Likewise, the employment of local ulema and mullahs provides them with a material incentive to spread the message within village society.
Academic text (2011) -
There is a split among the mullahs and significant dismay with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Blog text (12) -
You don't see many mullahs in most Iranian cities, but there are legions of them in Qom.
Academic text (2002) -
Censorship in Muslim countries is often crude and is done by governments, mullahs, imams, and more recently by militant Islamic movements.
Academic text (1999) -
The mulla delivered a sermon on the importance of charity during the Friday prayer.
Synonyms
4
8.5
A Muslim religious leader who teaches Islam and leads prayers in a mosque
A Muslim religious leader who runs a mosque and teaches Islamic law
A spiritual guide in Sufi Islam who leads people on their inner path
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word Mulla comes from Persian mullā, which in turn comes from Arabic mawlā and originally meant 'master' or 'guardian'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a Mulla as a religious 'teacher' or 'master' who guides people in matters of faith, which is why the word means a Muslim religious leader.