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In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful,
Assalamualaikum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu,
The Concept Of Imamah
Rulings on Imaam And
Ma'moomeen (Followers) In Salaat
Saleh As-Saleh
In the Name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I begin to
write:Part 1.Know, may Allaah's Mercy be upon me and you that Imaamah
(Leadership) in Islaam falls into four categories:First: Imaamah of
Wahye (Revelation), which is Prophethood.Second: Imaamah by way of
Wiraathah (Inheritance), which is the 'Ilm(Knowledge). Allaah, the Most
High, says:.[24 ]
"And We appointed, from among them, leaders, giving guidanceunder Our
command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have
faith in Our Signs." (Qur'an 32, 24).
Third: Imaamah in 'Ibaadaah (worship), which is the Imaamah in Salaat
(Prayers). The Prophet (pbuh ) said:"The Imaam is to be followed and if he
prays standing then pray standing, and bow when he bows, and raise your
heads when he raises his head;prostrate when he prostrates; and if he
says "Sami'a-l-lahu Liman
hamida", you should say, "Rabbana wa-laka-l hamd. [Agreed upon hadeeth.
See Saheeh al-Bukhari, vol. 1, Number 699].
Fourth: Imaamah of Maslahah (Running of Affairs), which is the rulership
over the subjects. The Prophet ( pbuh) said:"Surely! Everyone of you is a
guardian and is responsible for his charges:The Imaam (ruler) of the
people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the
guardian of his family (household) and is
responsible for his subjects; a woman is the guardian of her husband's
home and of his children and is responsible for them; and the slave of a
man is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it.
Surely, everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for his charges."
[Agreed upon hadeeth. See Saheeh al-Bukhari, vol. 9,
Number 252].
Some of the Obligations upon the Imaam of the Masjid.
1-Sincerity: pure intention seeking the Face of Allaah, the Most High.
2-Da'wah, admonition and advice to the community of the Masjid.
3-Knowledge in the rulings of Imaamah in Salaat.
4-Adherence to the Sunnah to the best of one's ability.
5-Aligenment of the rows in Salaat. He calls to that by sayings and
actions. He should not abandon this matter because of the
irresponsibility
of some who are ignorant of the importance of raw alignment in Salaat,
or those who are negligent.
6-Checking the Jamaa'ah (congregation), inciting them to the attendance
of Salaat.
7-Being a good example for the community in his character,
interactions,moves, speech, dress and so forth.
8-Adherence to the specific times for the Iqaamah of Salaat, by reaching
to an agreement with the community that would not put hardship on them,
and such that they would not miss the Iqaamah.
9-Adherence to attendance on time, avoiding un-excusable delays. When
the community sees this in him they will love him, and this will assist
in
keeping the community together.
10-Establishment of the duroos (classes of knowledge) in the Masjid
either by him, if capable, or by qualified people whom he may
invite.This teaching must be in accordance with the Qur'an, Sunnah and
the way of the righteous predecessors. He may read to the community from
beneficial books in hadeeth and Tafseer.
11-Taking care of the Masjid affairs, keeping it properly maintained and
clean.
End of Part 1.
Saleh As-Saleh,
9th Jamaadah al-Aakhir, 1427 AH
July 5, 2006.
Allah Knows Best |