Mosques are the heart of Islam. They are not just places for offering prayers but also centers for religious education, moral development, and social guidance. The most significant role in a mosque is that of the Imam, a person who is not only a worshipper but a spiritual leader, mentor, and preacher for the entire community. Unfortunately, in many parts of our society, the role of supporting an Imam has not been given the value that Islam prescribes.

A Recent Tragedy:

In recent days, a heartbreaking incident occurred in Chaibasa (Jharkhand) where the respected Imam of a mosque, Maulana Shahnawaz Ansari (رحمہ اللہ), passed away on June 18, 2025, due to extreme poverty. Reports reveal that he took his own life by hanging himself on the third floor of the mosque. His wife and daughter were also unwell, but they couldn’t access proper medical treatment due to lack of resources.

This was a man who spent his life teaching the Qur’an, Hadith, and guiding people through prayer and religious instruction. Yet, when he faced the darkest moments of his life, the very community he served was absent.

Islamic Teachings on Fair Treatment of Workers:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

> “There are three people with whom Allah will be the opponent on the Day of Judgment… one of them is the person who employs someone, takes full work from him, but does not pay his due wages.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 2227)

To take the services, time, and energy of an Imam while depriving him of basic necessities is—according to this hadith—a form of injustice and sin.

Religious Duties of Mosque Committees:

1. Provide complete financial support to the Imam so he can fulfill his own and his family’s basic needs.
2. Ensure transparent and fair use of mosque funds and donations, especially prioritizing the Imam’s salary and healthcare.
3. Preserve the dignity and honor of the Imam, and never treat him like an ordinary worker.
4. Establish a written agreement with the Imam to clarify responsibilities and prevent disputes.

A Social Tragedy:

Sadly, today we view the Imam as just a person who leads prayers. But Islam designates him as the guide of the Ummah. The same people who spend hundreds of thousands on weddings, dowries, and banquets often complain when it comes to paying the Imam a decent salary.

His income, respect, health, his children’s education these are all our collective responsibilities. If someone is calling us towards the Qur’an and Sunnah five times a day, is it not our duty to at least ensure he has access to life’s basic needs?

Our Responsibilities:

1. Pay the Imam a reasonable monthly salary (at least 40,000–50,000 PKR or in line with the local standard of living).
2. Assist him in family matters, including marriage and household support.
3. Honor him with dignity and respect for his religious services.
4. Mosque committees must sign written contracts with Imams to safeguard their rights and responsibilities.

Questions to Reflect On:

* Is an Imam only responsible for a few units of prayer, or is he the spiritual guide of our future generations?
* Have we become so insensitive that we remain silent when our religious leaders face starvation?
* Will our children learn the Qur’an, faith, and ethics from these same Imams or are we looking for machines to replace them too?

The honor and support of Imams is not just the responsibility of a mosque committee, it is the collective duty of the entire Muslim Ummah. If we continue to neglect our mosques and those who serve them, we risk the collapse of our spiritual foundation.

Let us restore the honor, respect, and rightful place of the Imams in our communities so they can fulfill their noble responsibilities with dignity and peace of mind.