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An '''imam''' is a person having great authority in [[Islam]]. There are five different specific meanings of the term:
An '''imam''' is a person having great authority in [[Islam]]. There are five different specific meanings of the term:
* in a mosque, a leader in prayer is the imam only while he leads the prayer. More generally, the imam is the most respecte person in the assembly. In modern times, the term has expanded to include a leader employed by the congregation, like a priest in Christianity.
* in a mosque, a leader in prayer is the imam only while he leads the prayer. More generally, the imam is the most respected person in the assembly. In modern times, the term has expanded to include a leader employed by the congregation, like a priest in Christianity.
* in Shi'i Islam, the highest leader is the imam. The first imam was Ali. The imam is presumed to have a special relationship to Allah.
* in Shi'i Islam, the highest leader is the imam. The first imam was Ali. The imam is presumed to have a special relationship to Allah.