How is it possible, especially in this century, for the trustees of a masjid to ask for an Imam for a community, who is a haafith with a beautiful recitation, is fluent in Arabic, has an ability to guide the community and arbitrate in their issues, leads the 5 daily prayers along with taraweeh and Eid Salaah, conducts the nikah and deals with divorce & custody matter, has a qualification in the Islamic Sciences and a proactive mindset to drive the community forward; and offer as his salary a figure less than what a primary teacher would get paid. And on top of that, for the trustees to sit on his head and treat him as if their own him!

I sincerely believe some trustees of certain masaajid do not understand the trust that Allah has placed on their shoulders, and how heavy their standing will be in front of Allah Almighty because of this trust.

I also sincerely believe that some trustees of certain masaajid must take responsibility for the retrogression of the masaajid’s communities due to their lack of vision in terms of the running of the masjid, and their lack of respect of the noble post titled (Imam).

Finally, sincere able Imams of communities will be the greatest means of lifting the current issues our communities face, especially in relation to our youth.

Grass roots dawah is from the most effective means of creating positive change, and the masjid has to be the home of this dawah, for the masjid must be a hub to its community.

Pay your able Imams well as you expect your CEO’s to get paid well, grant them a working budget and capable team, give them ownership, and let them get to work. That’s what a visionary would do, and a masjid will always be the biggest project after all.

May Allah guide us all. Ameen.

Shaikh Sajid Umar