ULAMA IN THE QURAN

There is already a truly Islamic and successful leadership in the world today. 

In Latin it is called "scientia" or science in English.

Scientia / science means knowledge.

"Scientia / knowledge" in Arabic is called 'ilm'.

A scientist (singular) is an 'alim'.

Scientists (plural) is ulama'.

Scientists are therefore ulama.

Hence the modern and progressive societies (West, Japan etc) are successful because they are under the leadership of science or knowledge which is Islamic.

In the Quran there is a vast and huge difference between an ulama (a person of knowledge, a scientist) versus a religious priest or religious expert. 

In the Quran the correct word for a religious priest or religious expert is "habar" and not ulama.  Rabbi is also used (for the Jewish priest).

Here are some references about the "habar" or religious experts:

All translations based on Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

5:63  Why do not the rabbis and the religious priests (habar) forbid them from their (habit of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.

9:34  O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the religious priests (habar) and rabbis who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty.

Clearly the habar are the priestly classes or the clergy. Clearly they are NOT ulama. 

And as you can see the Quran is not kind about the clergy or habar. They devour in falsehood the substance of men.

Then in the following verses Surah 35:27-28, the Quran asks us to observe (alam tara).

Observation is the basis of science or knowledge. 

Knowledge is ilm. 

If you dont observe, you cannot acquire ilm (knowledge).

35:27 Do you not see (alam tara) that Allah sends down water from the clouds, then We bring forth therewith fruits of various colors; and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of various hues and (others) intensely black?

35:28 And of men and beasts and cattle are various species of it likewise; those of His servants only who are possessed of knowledge (al-ulama') fear Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

So those who possess knowledge (al ulama') are those who will observe (alam tara - do you not see) the various species ie of men, beasts and cattle. They will observe the rain, fruits, plants, the geology of the mountains and rocks.  

So the ulama of Surah 35:27-28 above are the scientists who observe (alam tara) all these things.

The tukang baca doa, the so called religious experts in fiqah, tafsir etc are NOT included in this description. They are best decribed as habar.

The religious experts or habar who are expert in fiqah, tafsir etc DO NOT observe the rain, the mountains, the rock formations, the different species of animals, cattle and human beings.

That is the realm of the ulama' or scientists.

Sadly the Islamic world is led by habar.

The advanced countries are being led by ulama or scientists.