1. He should
safeguard the income and property of the Masjid, meeting the necessary
expenses and avoiding unnecessary expenditure. These days funds are
generally squandered on expenses which have no importance in the
Shar’iah, but are merely spent because unenlightened trustees deem them
to be imperative. These people should fear Allah, for on the Day of
Resurrection they will be accountable for every penny. The trustees of
the Masjid must take the onus upon themselves to consult the Ulamă
regarding the detailed rulings pertaining to these expenses and the
running of the Masjid in general.
2. He must keep a proper record of all the income and expenditure of the
Masjid.
3. According to the best of means, a proper Imăm must be appointed. If
however, instead of a competent person, an unfit and inefficient person
is appointed to serve the community and Deen at large then the warning
sounded in the following Hadith should be heeded to; Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) said, whoever appoints someone to a post whereas within
his sphere of influence there are more deserving persons, he has
betrayed Allah, His Nabi and the Muslims in general. (Fat’hul Qadeer).
4. He must appoint such a Muazzin who is well acquainted with the times
of Salăh and the correct pronunciation of the Azăn.
5. He should give due priority to the maintenance of the Masjid building
as well as it’s other associated facilities.
6. Cleanliness, lighting and water facilities must also be adequately
arranged.
7. It is of paramount importance for the trustee to ensure the
performance of the five daily Salăh in congregation and always strive
towards increasing the number of Musallis in the Masjid.
Each trustee must look sincerely into these duties and exert his utmost
efforts towards achieving these.
Special care must be exercised in the appointment of an Imăm. The
following are the cardinal requirements for an Imăm;
1. He should be well verses in relevant masă’il pertaining to Imămat and
Salăh.
2. He must have mastered Tajweed rules to facilitate correct recitation
of Qir’ăt in Salăh.
3. He should adhere to the Fară’idh, Wăjibăt, Sunnah and Mustahabăt.
4. He must refrain from Harăm and Makroohăt.
If the correct choice of an Imăm cannot be made, a reliable Ălim should
be asked to interview a potential candidate. To use only a beautiful
voice as a yard-stick in choosing an Imăm is pure ignorance. However, if
together with the above cardinal requirements, the Imăm also possesses a
beautiful voice then this will be an added asset.
Once the right Imăm has been appointed, due respect should be shown to
him. He must not be considered a personal subordinate of the trustee. He
is the leader and should be followed. This should always be kept in
mind. Such a salary should be stipulated for him that will enable him to
lead a decent and peaceful life. Stinginess should never be shown with
regard to this issue. If there is a need, other expenses should be
curtailed but a low and unreasonable salary should never be given to the
Imăm or Muazzin.
If negligence prevails, it should be borne in mind that man is often
forced to fulfil his basic needs by other means. The Muslim Jurists have
stated that if someone commits himself to the service of a community, it
is Wăjib upon them that they meet his expenses.
When the Imăm stands up to reform the masses, it is incumbent upon the
trustees to jointly shoulder the cart and assist him to achieve his
religious goal. In the event of the ignorant public raising objections
and undue criticism against the Imăm, it is the duty of the trustees to
stop them. If people disapprove of his propagation of the truth and the
musallis decrease, they should first be made to understand. If they
persist in their disapproval, then they should be ignored, because it is
better to have a few abiding to the Sunnah and the Shar’iah rather than
a deviated crowd.
The Imăm must have freedom of expression, he should never be hindered by
the trustees. Some trustees dislike and are offended by the Imăm’s
mentioning of any vices or faults in which they are involved, they thus
prevent the Imăm from such lectures. Such an attitude leads to severe
sins, as they will also be considered amongst those subjected to the
severe warnings given in the following verses; “They prevent others from
the path (deen) of Allah.” “Who can be more unjust than he who prevents
the Name of Allah been taken in the house of Allah.”
The trustees should never interfere in the Imăm’s Ibădat, lectures and
religious services.
According to the Shar’iah the trustee have no right of intervention. His
responsibility is to see to the proper maintenance and functioning of
the Masjid, as mentioned above.
If the trustee adopts and adheres to the above mentioned advices, with a
true spirit, then it is highly believed that he will be amongst the
good-named trustees in the Hereafter and be absolved of the great
responsibilities which he shouldered. He will be justly rewarded.
Article taken (with Thanks) from Attarbiyah
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