What is the ruling on seeking a religious position such as leading the prayer, teaching the Qur'an, the call to prayer, and the like?

The questioner : What is the ruling on being employed to teach the Qur'an, and likewise leading the prayer...?

The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a Muslim to seek such a position. If he is asked to do so and he is qualified for the position, it is permissible for him to work in it, on the condition that he does not seek behind his employment in it a reward other than the reward of the Hereafter. The salary he receives is not taken as a wage, because that would invalidate his work. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: Therefore, for a Muslim to seek one of these religious positions is something that invalidates his reward. Do you see the difference?

The questioner: Yes.

The questioner : The imam and the mu'adhdhin, meaning they do not take a wage?

The Shaykh : The answer has already been given clearly, and nevertheless we answer according to your question. The imam, the mu'adhdhin, the khatib, the teacher, and every religious position: it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a wage for them, because the reward is only sought from Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). However, he takes what he takes as a salary, not as a wage. It is a salary that the state pays him, which he takes by right of his attendance and by right of performing this position. But it is not permissible for him to intend in his heart that this is a wage for his performance of this position, because this position is a position of worship and obedience. Therefore, it came in the authentic hadith: When the delegation of Thaqif came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Messenger (peace be upon him) and some of the Companions noticed in some of the members of this delegation a talent, aptitude, and interest in religion. One of these noble Companions was Uthman ibn Abi al-As al-Thaqafi. So he said to him (peace be upon him): I think you all know that the adhan is one of the symbols of Islam, and the mu'adhdhin, as he (peace be upon him) said: Therefore, this mu'adhdhin is not allowed to intend with his adhan material gain, the worldly wage, because if he does that, it removes from him the otherworldly reward, as Allah the Exalted said: Righteous work is what is in accordance with the Sunnah, and then one seeks behind it the reward with Allah. This is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted: So this mu'adhdhin or that imam, if he seeks behind this position other than the Face of Allah, his work is nullified. Therefore, he (peace be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: It may be difficult for some people when we say that this imam and that mu'adhdhin are not allowed to take what they take as a wage for their worship, but rather they take it as a salary.