I went to a mosque on a Friday. At the end of his statement, Imam Sahib said, “If the worshipers of a mosque do not pay the Imam’s salary, their Namaz will not be valid.” Hearing this, I went to the Imam of another mosque after Namaz. When I asked him about this, he said, “If Imam Sahib does not do any work other than Imamate, then it is obligatory for the worshipers to pay the Imam”. I want to know,1. Namazs are also obligatory for Imam. Then Namaz must be performed even if he does not lead the Namaz. Is it obligatory (Faraz) for him to get paid? 2. If he does not do any work whereas he has chance to income except during prayers, will it be obligatory for him to get paid? Or is it wrong? Hepl me with references.
Answer:
Ref. No. 1176/42-447
In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful
The answer to your question is as follows:
The Imam’s way of giving statement is not appropriate. Yes, it is permissible for the Imam to take salary on rendering imamat service. And it is necessary for those who are taking charge of the mosque to manage the salary of the Imam each month without fail. It is permissible for Imam to take wages on doing Imamate even if he does some business other than Imamate. When the imam is appointed with a fixed salary and the authority agreed upon it, then it is obligatory on those in charge to pay him for his job.
And Allah knows best
Darul Ifta
Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband