#1066: The Virtue Of An Imam And That Of A Mu’adhdhin
ssalamualaikum Please sheikh, I need an answer to this question. The question goes like this: The way Hadith talks about the reward of (mu’adhin) did hadith talk about the virtues of Imam? If yes which one is greater?
ANSWER
Wa Alaykum Salam Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuh.
Alhamdulillah.
The Ulamaa have agreed that one of the best ways of drawing close to Allah is by way of being a guide and a bearer of light to the people and to the Ummah at large, provided one is able to carry all the rights and deliver all of the burdens without transgressing the limits or withholding any of the rights. This is due to what leadership contains of guiding, teaching and protecting of rights.
Shaykhu Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah said:
“That is because, leadership positions, even though are dangerous, but if the Commands of Allah are established by virtue of it, nothing of the deeds can compare with it. Except that going into it in the first instant is feared out of fear that the Command of Allah is not established due to the manyness of its obstacles and dangers, and for fear of the heart falling into Fitnah since in leadership is glory and respect… ”
There is no doubt that Imaamah in Salaah is a form of leadership.
Imam Sa’id recorded from Daawud bn Abi Hind that a man came to the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam and asked: Exhort me with a good deed that I may practice it. He answered: “Be the Imaam of your People.” He said “What if I am incapable of that?” He said: “Then be their Mu’adhdhin”
In the Hadith recorded by Imam At-Tirmidhi from Abdullah bn ‘Umar radiyallahu anhuma, the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam said:
ثلاثة من كثبان المسك يوم القيامة: عبد أدى حق الله وحق مواليه، ورجل أمَّ قوما وهم به راضون، ورجل ينادي بالصلوات الخمس في كل يوم وليلة
“Three Categories are the Earners of Misk on the Day of Qiyaamah. A Servant that gives the due rights of Allah and the rights of his owner, a man who leads a people and they are pleased with him and a man who Calls to the 5 Prayers every day and night.”
Based on these reports and others, some Ulamaa have held that to be an Imaam that is steadfast, patient and leading by example is better than to be a Muadhdhin.
And Allah knows best.
Barakallahu Fikum
Jazakumullahu Khayran
Abū Asim
17th Safar, 1442AH.
📚 IslāmNode
