First being an Imam in a mosque has nothing to do with anointing, or divinity or calling or special powers. It is all about knowledge. How learned one is. Just like having a degree, Masters, PhD, being an associate professor then professor etc.
Anyone can be. Put in the hard work— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
It is not necessary for a mosque to have the same people all the time. Its mainly about proximity to you ( though there are a few exceptions). You might or might not know the people in the mosque and as soon as prayers are done congregation disperses
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
The Imam has zero power over anybody and zero control. Most of the people who pray do not even know what the imam in the mosque they pray looks like.
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
We do not pay tithes, nor give them any part of our wealth( private jets for full ground and every street for get mosque ). If you want to dash them something its left to you as a person
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
We pay a compulsory tax called zakkah and you must have a minimum amount before you start paying it. Its 2.5%(1/40) of money you have held for a year. Rent. There are other calculations for grains animals gold etc
YOU DO NOT GIVE IMAMS OR MOSQUES. YOU GIVE THEM DIRECTLY OR A BODY— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
So you can afford not to have anything to do with the iman of the mosque you pray at especially big mosques like Jumuat Mosque. You can be praying there for 20 years without seeing the imam or knowing his name
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
In a mosque the hierarchy is all about ur knowledge. If the younger is more knowledgeable he gets to be senior. If the knowledge is the same the older is made senior. The first row of a mosque line up is reserved for these knowledgeable imams. Some mosques now put politicians 😡
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
If prayers is ongoing and the imam leading the prayers gets his ablution spoilt e.g passing gas he steps aside for the next imam to go forward or if he makes mistake in recitation they correct him. That's why they are normally directly behind the one leading prayers
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
If the imam leading prayer slumps or dies while leading prayers, the prayers will not stop. The next in hierarchy of knowledge will step forth and continue the prayers from where that one slumped while one or two of the congregations usually with the mosque take him out
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
When an imam or mallam is revered it is based on his KNOWLEDGE! Some have the whole Qur'an memorised. Some have so many hadiths memorized or known, fiqh jurisprudence etc. It is never about ability to perform miracles or help with prayer points or bless you! E don bless himself?
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
So someone just pointed out to me i missed a point I made an assumption on. MORALITY of course is huge. Any whiff of immorality you are out or would not be given the opportunity to be an imam. So you can have all the knowledge but if you drink alcohol or commit zina. No way
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
For someone to be caught commiting fornication or adultery talkless of rape he would immediately be sacked. The congregation would refuse to pray behind him. Such person his prayers might not be accepted and that would involve all your prayers
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
If you didn't know he was drinking alcohol or committing adultery or a rapist his prayers not being accepted does not affect you but when you know and still pray with him then your bear the loss. For what nah?! It is to get another imam. What are you gaining from him before?
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
In our own case, we don't have attachment to imams and imams don't owe mosques. What is there to own? There is hardly ever no money to do the basic talkless of the one for private jet. They might get gifts but no obligation on anyone
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
In our own case, we don't have attachment to imams and imams don't owe mosques. What is there to own? There is hardly ever no money to do the basic talkless of the one for private jet. They might get gifts but no obligation on anyone
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019
I hope this thread helps in understanding the dynamics
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) June 30, 2019