Ulu al-Amr
أولو الأمر
ūlū al-amr
☪️Islamic Terms
Those in authority; understood as the Imams in Shi'a interpretation.
Full Definition
Ulu al-Amr means 'those in authority' or 'those having command.' The Quran instructs believers to obey God, the Prophet, and those in authority among them (4:59). In Shi'a and Ismaili interpretation, ulu al-amr refers to the Imams who possess legitimate spiritual and temporal authority as divinely appointed successors to the Prophet.