This thesis examines concepts of Islamic informal religious leadership, narrowing to one particular village in Bangladesh. It centres around two key ideas; the relationship between classical theories of leadership and practice in the village of Rosulpur, and the importance of ambiguity in the style of leadership adopted by informal religious leaders in the village which facilitates the giving of hope and meaning to their followers. The first chapter examines the Islamic legal system, partly pondering how this theoretical mechanism for governing behaviour actually relates to village practice; but more importantly this section notes how the shari'a has expanded into critical roles other than the strictly legal one it supposedly fulfils. Such 'multi-tasking' parallels the way Islamic leadership in general operates since this too has several facets. This leadership is the focus of chapter two, and again there are theoretical ideals (with Qur'anic and hadith writings finding expression in institutions such as the caliphate and imamate) that have neither been utterly discarded nor closely adhered to. As these forms of governance failed to fulfil their supposed potential they were augmented with an almost mythical element (whereby it is held that they will be realised when Islam is victorious). The central aspect of this thesis concerns one village in central Bangladesh, a topic that is approached by reviewing studies of Islamic mysticism in the Indian subcontinent (particularly Bengal). Individuals in Rosulpur village are identified and their importance discussed. Finally, there is an examination of how this practice of Islam relates to theoretical concepts. Consistent with the thesis as a whole, this relationship is neither a direct reflection of theory nor a total rejection of it.