- Akhoond
An akhoond (akhund or akond) ( _fa. آخوند) is a Persian name for a
Muslim cleric, common inIran andAzerbaijan . The Chinese word forimam , 阿訇 (Pinyin: "ahong"), used in particular by theHui people , also derives from this term. Akhoonds are responsible for leading religious services in a community. Akhoonds lead the prayers in themosques , deliver religious sermons and perform religious ceremonies, such as birth rites and funeral services. They also often teach in Islamic schools known in Iran as hozeh and in other countries as amadrassa .This term in Iran has been completely a derogatory term for the past few decades and today in Iran it is almost invariably used as a term of insult, ridicule or disparagement.
Akhoonds will usually have completed some studies (of varying levels) in a
madrassa , studying various Islamic and non-Islamic subjects, such asSharia (Islamic law),Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence),Qur'an ic studies, and basic mathematics. They commonly dress in religious attire.In
Iran , they are also calledmullahs ,molavi orrohani . The word 'rohani' means 'spriritual' and is coined under the influence of Christianity. 'Rohani' is considered as a more polite term for Muslim clerics, used by Iranian national television and radio. The term Akhoond in Iran is increasingly outmoded, usually with only the older clerics having the title "Akhoond" as part of their name.Other names for similar Muslim clerics include
Shaykh andMaulana .In the Swat valley, akhoonds (see
Akhund of Swat ) had been in political charge of the theocratic, non-permanent precursor of theState of Swat until it was made into a secularprincely state in 1849, which was part of British India till 1947 and then of Pakistan, but only ceased to exist in 1969 at the death of its lastWali .Akhund is also a surname used by a family in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
Use in personal names
The Azerbaijani surname "Akhundov" (as in e.g.
Mirza Fatali Akhundov ) is formed from the word "akhund".Sources and references
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Pakistan_princes.html WorldStatesmen- PakistanPrincelyStates- Swat]
See also
*
Clericalism in Iran
*Ayatollah
*Akhundism
*Maulana
*Mullah
*Shaykh
*Ulema
*Islamic term
*Hadhrat Molana Pir Fakir-u-llah Bakoti
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.