An akhoond (akhund or akond) is a Persian name for a Muslim cleric, common in Iran and Azerbaijan. The Chinese word for imam, used by the Hui people, also derives from this term. Akhoonds are responsible for leading religious services in a community. Akhoonds lead the prayers in the mosques, deliver religious sermons and perform religious ceremonies, such as birth rites and funeral services. They also often teach in Islamic schools known as a madrassa.

Akhoonds will usually have completed some studies (of varying levels) in a madrassa, studying various Islamic and non-Islamic subjects, such as Sharia (Islamic law), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Qur'anic studies, and basic mathematics. They commonly dress in religious attire.

In Iran, they are also called Mullahs or Maulvis. Other names for similar Muslim clerics include Mullah, Shaykh, Maulana and Maulvi.

In the Swat valley, akhoonds have been in political charge of the theocratic, non-permanent precursor of the State of Swat until it was made into a secular princely 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 last Wali.