IMÂMAT 

Salât

Salâh is a great bounty of Allâh Ta’âla upon his servants. It is that special audience that Allâh Ta'âla gives to his servants so that they may talk to him. How fortunate we are that the king of all Kings, our Allâh Ta'âla, is bringing us to His House (the Masjid) and talking to us. It is therefore incumbent that we show gratitude and thanks to Allâh Ta'âla for giving us the guidance and taufîq to perform salâh in the best possible manner.

The Post of Imâmat

Imâmat is a great office in Islam. It has certain requirements and pre-conditions. It is certainly not a position that can be given to any and every person. The one who fulfils these conditions is entitled to become the Imam. It is also incumbent for the trustees of the masjid to apply these conditions as their criteria when employing a particular Imam. Abdullah ibn Umar radiallahu anhuma reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, "Make the best and worthiest among you the Imam because they are your representatives in the august presence of your Lord and Master." In another hadith reported by him, Nabi sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, "Whoever acts as the Imam of the congregation should fear Allâh, believe that he is also responsible for the salâh of the muqtadis (followers) and remember that he will be questioned about it. If he had led the service well, he will receive reward equal to the total reward of all the muqtadis without any reduction in their reward and should there be a fault in the service, he alone will be called to account." This hadith very explicity indicates the delicateness of the matter of Imâmat. The one who undertakes to be the Imam should realise the great responsibility he is taking upon his shoulders.

Tarawîh

Unfortunately great disregard is shown on our part as to the type of huffâz that we appoint to lead the congregation for tarawîh. In many masâjid it is noticed that the hafiz / huffâz are totally unfit (Islamically) to lead the tarawîh salâh. Many huffâz only perform salâh in Ramadhân. Important injunctions like keeping a shariah-length beard, wearing the trousers above the ankles, avoiding music, etc., unfortunately are not found in many of the huffâz. May Allâh Ta'âla guide us. Âmîn.

The Shari Ruling Concerning the Fâsiq Hâfiz:

Imâmat of a hafiz who shaves:

To shave the beard is harâm and in the light of Sharî'ah, the one who shaves the beard is a fâsiq [open sinner]. Thus to make such a person an Imâm is not permissible. To follow such an Imam is Makrűh Tahrimi. (Shami)

Some Masâil

1. If the hafiz who cuts his beard less than a fist length is the only one in the locality, and if a better Imam is found (even if he is not a hafiz), then do not make the hafiz who cuts his beard an Imam. (Kifayatul Mufti)

2. It is recorded in Imdâdul Fatawa that a person who cuts or trims his beard (less than a fist length) is a fâsiq and a severe sinner. It is not permissible to make such a person the Imam. Salâh behind him is Makrűh Tahrimi.

3. It is not permissible to make a person who cuts or trims his beard the Imam since an Imam is to be respected and such a sinner cannot be accorded respect. (Imdâdul Fatawa)

4. It is proven in the hadith that to cut or trim the beard when it is not more than a fist length is harâm. (Fatawa Darul Uloom)

5. A person is not deserving or fit to be Imam if his beard is contrary to the Shariah, deals in interest transactions and has non-permissible business transactions. To follow him is Makrooh Tahrimi.

The Imam Who Follows Fashion:

If the Imam promises to discard his evil habits i.e. unIslamic dressing, adopting alien hair styles and moving bare-headed etc., he can be appointed the Imam. If he refuses to change, then he is not deserving of the post of Imâmat. (Fatawa Rahimiya)

A humble appeal is made to all trustees and musallîs to appoint such huffâz for tarawîh who conform to the Shariah. A humble appeal is also made to parents whose sons are huffâz, to discipline them in the correct Islamic way so that they become practical Muslims. The huffâz themselves are exhorted to adopt the way of life shown to us by our Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Courtesy: Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville, South Africa