The Imams of Mosques: Are They Permitted to Alert People to Every New Matter?
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The questioner : May Allah forgive you, O Shaykh. Regarding the imams in the mosques, are they permitted to advise people with a word at every event or occasion? For example, they announce that a religious occasion is such-and-such, and that they must do such-and-such. For example, in Ramadan, during Hajj, or for instance, regarding zakah?
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you. Who is this imam?
The questioner : The ordinary imam of the mosque?
The Shaykh : The imam—may Allah bless you—not every imam is an imam. If we opened the door, a person who does not have even half of the knowledge would come, saying, "Who am I?"
The questioner : So we stipulate, O Shaykh, that he must have knowledge?
The Shaykh : He must have knowledge. One who does not have knowledge causes more harm than benefit.
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you. Who is this imam?
The questioner : The ordinary imam of the mosque?
The Shaykh : The imam—may Allah bless you—not every imam is an imam. If we opened the door, a person who does not have even half of the knowledge would come, saying, "Who am I?"
The questioner : So we stipulate, O Shaykh, that he must have knowledge?
The Shaykh : He must have knowledge. One who does not have knowledge causes more harm than benefit.