Priests in Al-Qadim need not be miracle workers. Many are just teachers, administrators, preachers and scholars. But priests seek understanding of reality, and in a magical world, this gives magical power.

Priests use the Sorcery skill and Sorcery schticks, just as all other magicians. Their selection of schticks varies depending on the god(s) they worship and the sect they follow. This is so intricate that the schticks held ny any particular priest are almost impossible to predict.

All priests gain power trough faith, and without faith, they cannot work their powers. Priestly magic cannot work contrary to religious beliefs and dogmas. But once you have learned to act as a conduit for divine power, this ability stays with you, even if you elect to change religion or convert to another sorcery tradition altogether.

Limitations

Priestly magic is almost impossible to stop. Divine power are often easier to invoke when you are captured, bound, and about to be martyred. The best way to reduce a priests power is by temptation; make him break his religious strictures, and he will be unable to work his magic. On the other hand, the priest can easily ruin his own purity by violating his faith or working contrary to his stated religious beliefs. Using miraculous power for everyday matters, or against opponents who are in no way enemies of the religion, can also cause contamination.

Ordained Priests

These clerics are part of an established religious order and hierarchy. They are divided into Pragmatists, Ethoists and Moralists, as described in the Al-Qadim rulebook, but their magic works in the same way. As log as they bo not violate the strictures of their religion and are not expelled or condemned by their order, they can work their miracles.

Theurgists

Theurgists are not really priests, but a branch of hermetic mages who try to master sorcerous power by learning the secrets of the gods. They are often persecuted by all other clergy.

Mystics

Religious loners, zealots and visionaries, mystics have a personal vision of religion and enlightenment. Many mystics live as hermits in the wilderness to be free from worldly concerns They need not obey the strictures of an organization or the orders of superiors, but have a very strict personal vision of their faith. Any transgression against this personal vision leads to a loss of power.

These "personal visions" can be quite odd, including bans on cleanliness, having or living indoors as well as strictures such as peaking in riddles or compulsory meditative dancing. .

Kahin

Also known as animal mystics and idol-worshippers, Kahin are halfway between priest and mages. They venerate the living idols found in remote places throughout Zakhara, and learn strange powers over nature this way.

Some Kahin are single-schtick Animal magicians, while others develop their powers more fully, along the lines of priests.

Historical Note

Real-world islam is quite opposed to the idea of miracles. God acts as God wills, not according to the wishes of prophets, preachers or worshippers. The very term priest is a misdenomener, as they are really "teachers" or "speakers", not ordained holy men in the christian sense.