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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| Kathy |
| 03/23/05 at 14:20:31 |
| [slm] Been thinking about this. I posted a question about prayers and a couple of people were surprised when I said an Imam gave me some 'wrong' information. When I saw our Masjid's Imam yesterday I asked him for the daleel on praying Isha sunnah. He was surprised too, when i mentioned the other "Imam" said there was no sunnah before Asr. He then wondered what the credentials of the other Imam, in a study way. In Catholism, priests go through years of training and a parish would not hire one with out 'papers.' How prevelent is "Self Proclaimed Imams" in Islam, and has it become a problem? |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| stranger |
| 03/23/05 at 15:08:03 |
| I don't think the Catholic model of certifying clergy is a good one to follow. Look at the problems they are going through with that. Look at the Shia clerical hierarchy and all the problems with that. I think this issue is usually naturally solved without such a system since people tend not to continue following others who mislead them unless they are somehow obligated. Anyway, perhaps it was a misunderstanding and he meant after Asr or something? Did anyone question him about it and ask him to produce evidence if it was true? |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| jannah |
| 03/23/05 at 19:26:25 |
| wlm, every imam has different credentials and learning... also some may be more well versed in certain things than others... also there are differences of opinions in things so just go with someone you trust inshallah |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| anon |
| 03/23/05 at 23:14:35 |
| [slm] In the traditional system every student gets an 'isnad' and an 'ijaza' for each book (of hadith or tafsir or whatever) that he finishes under a scholar. The 'isnad' links him to the scholars of the early generations through a chain of 'teachers'. The 'ijaza' is his permit to teach others from that book. A scholar may study various books under various scholars with 'ijazas'. The collection of 'ijazas' and the soundness of his 'isnads' are his academic credentials. For example Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaquobi is very well respected because his ijazas and isnad are some of the best you can have today! |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| findingme |
| 03/23/05 at 23:31:17 |
| [slm] yes sis jannah, but i have encountered many occasions whereby the credibility of imams/clerics are questioned especially in situaions when the people of a community are not really familiar with the imam in question's background. With the current widespread secularized trend of perceiving Islamic knowledge and lifestyle choice, the values and reverence that used to be attached to imams and Muslim clerics has instinctively eroded especially among the younger generation. Besides, the significant or otherwise division and splits within our religion's practitioners can sometimes further confuse and overwhelm the followers. In situations such as these, how can we identify which/who is right and otherwise and how could we educate and make our youth's and those who are in doubt to rely or trust the imams/clerics?..praying for Allah's forgiveness if I've said/put wrongly. Wassalam |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| timbuktu |
| 03/24/05 at 09:50:13 |
| [slm] the reasons why imams may not be aware of other "authentic" views are many: 1. Many imams are only fit for leading prayers. They haven't read enough. They just follow what little has been taught them. 2. Some tend to study only the fiqh of their own group, and that too of a tertiary nature. They may not have thought about other possibilities. Thus they are genuinely surprised when an alternative is shown to them. 3. Among the learned ones, there may be a difference of opinion in the authenticity of a Hadith. 4. There may be a genuine conviction that thier way ind the ONLY way. |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| stranger |
| 03/24/05 at 13:19:00 |
| [quote]1. Many imams are only fit for leading prayers. They haven't read enough. They just follow what little has been taught them.[/quote] Is there really much else you expect from an Imam? He doesn't have to be a scholar, other than leading the prayers, he might have other qualifications or he might not. Again, there is no need to "revere" them as they are just regular folks. If the Imam is misleading others (just like if anyone were), then surely someone can approach him and advise him and if he continues, then try to contact the directors of the masjid. Again, I think the flaws of a clerical system is much greater than the harm one individual could possibly do independently. If Imams have to be licenced, then who licenses those who issue the licenses? Once people start being licensed, they may think that their role is greater than just leading the prayer which is simply what an Imam does. I just don't see this as the biggest problem that we have. [slm] |
| Re: Self Proclaimed Imams...a problem? |
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| findingme |
| 03/24/05 at 20:21:41 |
| [slm] [quote author=stranger link=board=madrasa;num=1111605632;start=0#6 date=03/24/05 at 13:19:00] Once people start being licensed, they may think that their role is greater than just leading the prayer which is simply what an Imam does. I just don't see this as the biggest problem that we have. [/quote] I wouldn't entirely agree with this, maybe the issue here lies on the definition of 'imam'. In the masjids that I've attended, the imams are not only the leaders in prayers, but also counsellors and often times lead the community in numerous other religious/family/community activities and occasions. Because of this, the opinion and conducts of the imam are often seen as significant to the community, and thus problems can arise when there are disparities in the way they see things and they way they are perceived. I have seen communities literally break up and disunite because of the differences in opinions between two different imams...Maybe issuing licences as a way to neutralize and provide a clearer descriptions of the role of imam based on the the qualification, i.e explained by bro/sis al-anon wouldn't be a bad idea after all. Allah knows all..Wassalam :-) |
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