The Responsibility of the Mosque Imam and the Mu'adhdhin
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
This questioner says: What is the responsibility of the mosque imam, and also the mu'adhdhin?
Answer:
Their responsibility is immense. First, the mu'adhdhin is entrusted with the adhan; that is, he must preserve it at its appointed times and not be absent except for a valid religious excuse. The imam is responsible for the congregational prayer and leading it, so he must not be absent from it except for a valid religious excuse, and he must appoint a substitute. Likewise, the mu'adhdhin must appoint someone to call the adhan on his behalf if he has an excuse; he must not leave the imam and the adhan without a substitute. The imam checks on the ma'mum (those praying behind him), admonishes them, and reminds them. He also considers their circumstances so as not to burden them in the manner of the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the imam, "Follow the weakest among you," and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So he considers the circumstances of the ma'mum. Likewise, in the iqamah, he does not hasten so as to deprive people of catching the prayer, nor does he delay so as to burden those present with waiting. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you,
This questioner says: What is the responsibility of the mosque imam, and also the mu'adhdhin?
Answer:
Their responsibility is immense. First, the mu'adhdhin is entrusted with the adhan; that is, he must preserve it at its appointed times and not be absent except for a valid religious excuse. The imam is responsible for the congregational prayer and leading it, so he must not be absent from it except for a valid religious excuse, and he must appoint a substitute. Likewise, the mu'adhdhin must appoint someone to call the adhan on his behalf if he has an excuse; he must not leave the imam and the adhan without a substitute. The imam checks on the ma'mum (those praying behind him), admonishes them, and reminds them. He also considers their circumstances so as not to burden them in the manner of the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the imam, "Follow the weakest among you," and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever leads the people in prayer, let him shorten it, for among them are the old, the sick, and those in need.
أيكم أم الناس فليخفف فإن فيهم الكبير والمريض وذا الحاجةThe presenter:
May Allah reward you,
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/232 — archive.org (10:33)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.