Is sadaqat al-fitr the right of the imam?

Question

The imam of the mosque is a miskin (destitute), yet people give the imam of the mosque nothing from sadaqat al-fitr; instead they distribute it to Hindus and to such beggars as are wealthy, merely because it is their right. Should the imam of the mosque be given some share of sadaqat al-fitr or not? What is the ruling on this? Should the imam of the mosque, while being a miskin, take nothing from sadaqat al-fitr?

Answer

If in some place (?) the imam of the mosque regards sadaqat al-fitr as his right, and the givers think that he leads their prayer, then in that case it becomes remuneration for leading the prayer (imamat); therefore it should not be given to the imam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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