Qalam Seminary Honorific Usages

As an institute of higher Islamic education, we strive to accurately represent sacred knowledge. An aspect of this representation is the honorifics given to the people of Qalam, denoting scholarly qualifications in the field of Islamic education, experience, and tenure. Below are the official honorific standards used by Qalam to refer to the different members of its broad community. This statement is not intended to dictate honorifics of any other institute. This is solely to clearly state the titles used by Qalam and the implications of those titles.

Shaykh or Shaykha (Sh.)

This title is used for a man or woman who has graduated from an institute of higher Islamic learning (such as but not limited to the Qalam Alimiyyah program) and has multiple years of experience in both community work and teaching.

Mufti

This title is used for a man or woman who has graduated from an institute of higher Islamic learning (such as but not limited to the Qalam Alimiyyah program) and has received a license to give legal Islamic rulings (​fatwa,​ pl. ​fatawa​).

Ustadh or Ustadha (Ust.)

This title is used for a man or woman who has graduated from an institute of higher Islamic learning (such as but not limited to the Qalam Alimiyyah program) and is beginning their journey of community work and teaching.

This title may also be used for a man or woman who is a certified specialist in a particular field of Islamic studies, without having graduated from an institute of higher Islamic learning (such as but not limited to the Qalam Alimiyyah program).

Imam

This title is used for a man who has graduated from an institute of higher Islamic learning (such as but not limited to the Qalam Alimiyyah program) and serves as the leader of a community in the official capacity of Imam.

Brother or Sister (Br. or Sr.)

This title is used as a term of respect for a man or woman who is a member of the Qalam team.