What is the ruling on praying behind an imam who says, "If my monthly stipend were raised, I would leave the imamate"?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is your opinion of an imam of a mosque who says, "If this stipend that I receive monthly were raised, I would leave the imamate in the mosque," and what is the ruling on praying behind him?
The Shaykh : By Allah, he should not say this, but: If his intention is that if it were raised, he would remain without a means of livelihood and thus go seeking a livelihood, then there is nothing wrong with that, because a person takes it to help him with the trials of this world.
Or if his intention is to take it as a wage, such that even if he is wealthy, if it were raised he would leave the imamate, then there is no doubt that he will not be rewarded for his imamate and will have no reward in the Hereafter, because he sought the worldly life with his deed. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who said to his people, when they requested him to lead them in the night prayer of Ramadan: "I will not lead you in the night prayer of Ramadan except for so much and so much." Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "We seek refuge in Allah. Who prays behind this man?!" Actions are by intentions, but this man should be advised: as long as you are now praying, and the imamate is undoubtedly a blessing from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) upon the servant, and it helps him to perform the prayer, then make your intention for Allah, and the salary will come to you.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is your opinion of an imam of a mosque who says, "If this stipend that I receive monthly were raised, I would leave the imamate in the mosque," and what is the ruling on praying behind him?
The Shaykh : By Allah, he should not say this, but:
Actions are only by intentions
إنما الأعمال بالنياتOr if his intention is to take it as a wage, such that even if he is wealthy, if it were raised he would leave the imamate, then there is no doubt that he will not be rewarded for his imamate and will have no reward in the Hereafter, because he sought the worldly life with his deed. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who said to his people, when they requested him to lead them in the night prayer of Ramadan: "I will not lead you in the night prayer of Ramadan except for so much and so much." Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "We seek refuge in Allah. Who prays behind this man?!" Actions are by intentions, but this man should be advised: as long as you are now praying, and the imamate is undoubtedly a blessing from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) upon the servant, and it helps him to perform the prayer, then make your intention for Allah, and the salary will come to you.