A taunting demand for a raise in the meagre pay for teaching and the imamate

Question

Zayd is the imam of a mosque and also teaches children; he receives a salary of 175 rupees a month. After a few months Zayd instructed all the worshippers that each of them in turn should send him food, otherwise he cannot be a true believer. Furthermore, he stopped the admission of children, as a result of which the children’s education is suffering. Is obedience to Zayd and his supporters wajib according to the Shari‘a or not? (2)

Answer

The imam in question should not make such an announcement; he has no right to utter a threat of this kind. Since the agreement was made at 175 rupees a month and food was not a condition, adopting such a method now is wrong. Not accepting something wrong will do no harm to one’s faith. Arranging the children’s education is necessary. (2)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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