𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 22 | 22 Sha’bān 1444H

Mistakes related to Tarāwīḥ (PART 2) (1) Imāms are appointed on the basis of voice rather than ’Aqīdah and religiosity. Thus, you find some masjids requesting interested parties to email them audio or video files of their recitation. This is far from the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and the teachings of the Salaf. Imām Aḥmad raḥimahullāh said: “One of the obligatory rights upon the Muslims is to give preference [in terms of leading Ṣalāh] to the best among them; the most religious and virtuous among them; those who know Allāh and are fearful and mindful of Him.” [Risālah Aṣ-Ṣalāh] Likewise, when Imām Mālik raḥimahullāh was informed about a people who appointed a man to lead them because of his nice voice, he said: “They do that only so that he can sing for them.” Also, Ibnul Ḥājj Al-Māliki [D. 737H] raḥimahullāh said: “The Imām who is appointed to lead the night prayers in Ramaḍhān should be a person of knowledge, goodness and religiosity, in contrast to what some people do today; since most of them give preference to a man due to his good voice, not because of his good religion.” [Al-Madkhal Libn Ḥājj (2/292)] (2) If you have been appointed to lead the people, then know that you are carrying a great responsibility on your shoulders. Whether you like it or not, people will take you as a role model, and inevitably you will be giving them da’wah through your actions; if you shave/trim your beard, they'll think this is permissible. If you smoke, they'll think this is permissible. If they see you free-mixing, they'll think this is permissible. So be careful! Al-Qurṭubi raḥimahullāh said concerning the saying of Allāh: ﴿وَاجْعَلْنا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِماماً﴾ “Make us leaders for the Muttaqūn.” [Al-Furqān 74] “This means (make us) role models who are followed in goodness, and THIS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF THE DA'EE IS RIGHTEOUS AND SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE.” (3) As the Imām, you must be informed concerning the rulings of Ṣalāh. You need to know what to do incase your mind goes blank and can't remember what you're meant to be reading. You should know what to do incase you break your wuḍhū inside Ṣalāh. You should know what to do incase you miss a pillar or a mandatory act of Ṣalāh. You should be aware of all the things which invalidate the prayer in order to avoid them... (4) For your prayer to be accepted, and for all your previous sins to be forgiven, you must pray seeking Allāh's reward. This requires sincerety. Therefore, avoid all things that may spoil your sincerity, such as requesting to be payed for your services. If you are given something without asking, there's no issue. But to set this as a condition for leading the Muslims in prayer is inappropriate to say the least. Abū Dāwūd As-Sijistānī raḥimahullāh said: I heard Aḥmad raḥimahullāh being asked about an Imām who said: I will lead you in prayer in Ramaḍhān in return for such and such amount of money. He said: I ask Allāh for safety and well-being; who will pray behind such a man? And it was narrated from him that he said: Do not pray behind one who stipulates payment, but there is nothing wrong with them giving the money without stipulating anything.” [Al-Mughnī (2/9)] Sheikh Fawzān raḥimahullāh said: “If a person’s aim is worldly gain, and he uses worship and acts of obedience as a means to attain worldly gain, then this is not permissible and this deed is invalid.” [Al-Muntaqā min Fatāwā Al-Fawzān (49/49)] (5) Don't beautify your voice in order for people to praise you. But rather, beautify your voice so people are moved by the speech of Allāh, and consider this a means of giving da’wah. https://t.me/madrasatuna/1418 (6) Maintinaing sincerity is enough of a struggle as it is. Sufyān Ath-Thawrī raḥimahullāh said, “I have not treated anything more difficult upon me than my intention, because it keeps changing.” [Jāmi’ Al-’Ulūm wal Ḥikam]