RESPONSIBILITIES OF IMAAM

RESPONSIBILITIES OF IMAAM



As the month of Ramadhaan approaches, the Huffaz will be selected to lead the people in Taraweeh Salaah. Thus you will be appointed as the Imaam to enable the people to perform the special Ibadah of Taraweeh Salaah.

According to the Ahadith the Imaam enjoys a superior status among the congregation. It is reported in a Hadith that the Imaam who performs Salaah in such a manner that the congregation is pleased with him will have a mound of musk on the day of Qiyamah (Tirmizi vol.2, pg.84).

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also made dua for the hidayat (guidance) of the Imaams (Tirmizi vol.1, pg.51). This is indeed an honour – but more than that it is a tremendous responsibility.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "The Imaam is responsible (for the Salaah of the muqtadies) (Haakim)." If the Imaam performs the Salaah correctly, the Salaah of the congregation will likewise be correct. If the Imaam is negligent, he will bear the burden of the deficiency that occurred in the Salaah of the entire congregation due to his negligence. Furthermore the Imaam should be an Imaam in the Musjid while leading the Salaah, as well as conduct himself as an Imaam when out of the Musjid. This applies even though you may just be an Imaam for the Taraweeh Salaah only.

Hence the Hafiz who will lead the Taraweeh Salaah should at all times possess, among others, the following qualities of an Imaam:

He must be upright and pious
He must be able to recite the Qur'an correctly
He must know the basic masaa'il of Deen pertaining to Taharah, Salaah, etc.
He must be one who knows the Sunnah and practices upon it
He must not be one who openly commits sins
He must at all times be humble