The Imamate of One Who Prepared and Ate Betel in Another’s House

Question

In our village a scholar (‘alim) teaches children and is also the imam. Sometimes he prays Zuhr and ‘Asr in the madrasa and sometimes in the mosque, which is why he is not waited for. One day it happened that after the ‘Asr prayer a man’s door was closed; the respected scholar opened the door, ate betel, and came. Then they saw it and said: “Uncle, whenever he is in our house, prepares betel and eats it. Betel is so expensive — whoever wants to eat it should keep it with himself.

Answer

If he ate betel there out of informality, and this is disagreeable [to them], then the imam should be told: “This way of yours is not right; do not do so in future.” This imam too should not adopt such conduct as would harm his dignity. In any case, this matter can be brought to an end by explaining [it].

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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