Supporting an Aged Former Imam and His Residence in the Mosque’s House

Question

In Meerut district there is a small town, Ancholi, with a mosque in which one imam had been appointed for forty years. He performed the duties of imamate excellently, and now, due to old age, he is incapacitated; another imam has been appointed in his place. For two years all the congregants served him just as they would have done had he been the imam. The mosque has a house in which he lives. Now a dispute has arisen among the congregants as to whether the first imam should be helped or not.

Answer

Regard must be shown to an imam who rendered service for a long period and has now grown old, on account of his religious services and his frailty. The people of the neighbourhood should consult among themselves and arrange a residence for him; or, if the house needs to be vacated and the mosque needs it, they should arrange another house for him; otherwise, let him stay in…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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