The word Imamate (Arabic: إمامة imāmah) is a word derived from Imam meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Shia. An Imam is the head or leader of imamate and is similar to caliph or khalifah with one major difference. While caliph is more of a political head of a state while the imam (in imamate) is a religious head of a group of people. While the caliph cannot change the religious laws and their jurisprudence, an imam can change the religious laws as per need.
The term Caliphate, a romanization of the Arabic word Khalifah "succession", is often used interchangeably with the term Imamate. Both terms, not always but most often, refer to the position of succeeding and leading the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad.
Imamah (Shia doctrine) - A divine institution which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. Its appointees (Imams) are divinely appointed; e.g. Prophethood and Prophets.
Imamah (Ismaili doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Isma'ilism in general.
Imamate (Sevener Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Sevener Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Qarmatian Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Qarmatian Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Musta’li Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Mustaali Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Hafizi Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Hafizi Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Taiyabi Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Taiyabi Ismailism.
Imamate (Nizari Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Nizari Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Hassan-i Sabbah Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Hassan-i Sabbah-era Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Nizari Ismaili state Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Nizari Ismaili state Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Satpanth Ismaili Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Satpanth Isma'ilism.
Imamate (Twelver doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Twelver.
Imamate (Bektashi Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Bektashi Order-Twelver.
Imamate (Ja'fari jurisprudence Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Ja'fari jurisprudence-Twelver.
Imamate (Akhbari Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Akhbari-Twelver.
Imamate (Usuli Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Usuli-Twelver.
Imamate (Shaykhi Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Shaykhism-Twelver.
Imamate (Kızılbaş-Safaviyya Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Qizilbash-Safaviyya.
Imamate (Alevi-Qizilbash Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Buyruks.
Imamate (Bektashism and folk religion Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Bektashism and folk religion in Balkans.
Imamate (Alians Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Alians in Demir Baba Teke.
Imamate (Harabatians Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Harabatians in Arabati Baba Teḱe.
Imamate (Ni'matullāhī Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Ni'matullāhī-Twelver.
Imamate (Qalandariyya Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to the Qalandariyya-Twelver.
Imamate (Babai Twelver Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Babai Batiniyya.
Imamate (Alevi Twelver Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Batiniyya-Alevism.
Imamah (Zaidiyyah doctrine) - The Zaidiyyah have a distinct theory of the Imamate.
Imamate (Ghulāt Shia Doctrine) - The doctrine of the Imamate according to Ghulāt.
Caliphate - A non-divine institution which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. Its appointees (Caliphs) are not divinely appointed; e.g. the ulama.
Ahmadiyya Caliphate - Successor of the Messiah - A divine institution of the Ahmadiyya which succeeded the institution of Prophethood. It is considered to be the second manifestation of God's power. Its appointees (Caliphs) are believed to be divinely appointed.
Caucasian Imamate - a state during the early and mid-19th century in the Eastern Caucasus.
