If the Imam's Salary Is Not Paid on Time

Question

The worshippers give the imam his salary a day or two after the end of the month, yet the imam still says: “You have prayed on credit; the salary should be given as soon as the month ends.” Is the imam's statement correct?

Answer

Prayer or imamate is not shopkeeping, nor a trading profession, nor a profession for earning. The salary has been declared permissible out of compulsion, on account of a necessity recognised by the Shari'a. The imam should not speak like this. The followers too should be mindful.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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