Driving the imam out by reviling him

Question

Here there is a small settlement of 24 houses in all, of which seven houses are strongly hostile. There is a mosque here from old times — by the measure of a small settlement. Fifteen houses guard it heart and soul, but whatever imam they bring and install, the other people revile him and drive him out. These seven houses neither let the imam stay nor pay his salary. At present the imam’s salary is three months in arrears.

Answer

Those who revile the imam so that he, driven to despair, leaves and the mosque becomes desolate are great wrongdoers and sinners; it is necessary for them to repent and to ask the imam’s forgiveness. As for worshipping the mother goddess, faith (iman)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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