The term imamate or imamah (, imāmah) means "leadership" and refers to the office of an imam or a state ruled by an imam. Theology Imamate, in Sunni doctrine the caliphate Naqshbandi Sufi Imamate, under the household of Hazrat Ishaan Imamate in Shia doctrine, the doctrine of the leadership of the Muslim community. For specific Shia sects, see: Imamate in Twelver doctrine Imamate in Ismaili doctrine Imamate in Nizari doctrine Politics Caucasian Imamate, a state during the early and mid-19th century in the Eastern Caucasus Imamate of Oman, a state existed in what is now Oman Imamate of Aussa, an early modern state in Ethiopia Imamate of Futa Jallon, a state in West Africa from 1725 until 1896 Almamyate of Futa Toro, a state in West Africa from 1776 until 1861 Hiraab Imamate, a Somali state in the 17th and 18th centuries Imams of Yemen, political leadership of the Zaidi branch of Shia from 897 until 1962 Islam and politics Islamic belief and doctrine Islamic terminology