An imam registered land endowed for the mosque in his own name

Question

Some land of a mosque is waqf; it is for the imam, in that whoever is imam will take its return as his remuneration for as long as he remains imam. But the present imam has had it recorded in his own name. The people of the village are telling him to put it in the mosque’s name, but he does not do so. Is it permissible for the imam to keep the mosque’s land in his possession by force or not? If this act is impermissible, will it be correct to pray behind such an imam or not?

Answer

If that land is waqf for the mosque, then no one may possess it as an owner; rather, it is usurpation (ghasb). It is necessary for the imam and his brothers to lift this ownership-possession immediately and put the land in the mosque’s name; otherwise there will be a severe reckoning in the Hereafter.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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