Working with the Mosque committee

Question:

Is the committee that runs a mosque under any obligation as to the service they provide to the community? I ask because I was studying fiqh in the masjid this afternoon, and a member of the committee told me that it was inappropriate, since I might by my presence alone be an inconvenience to the imam in his revision of the Qur'an. He asked me not to come to the masjid, except for prayers. It seems like a strange request, since the imam gave no indication that I was an inconvenience to him, and has even previously told me that I can come and study tajwid with him "any time". In any event, what is the best way to respond to this? I don't wish to leave injustice unchallenged, nor do I want to forsake forbearance, good manners and respect for my elders for the sake of my wounded pride. Although the imam is permitted to teach tajwid to children, there is a bit of a "nothing but prayers" policy in the mosque, and I think this may have had something to do with the request; I also worry that if I were to advise a change in policy, if that is the correct thing to do, it might achieve nothing but a sour feeling in the mosque.

Answer:

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Msoque commitees are usually filled with people of little appreciation of Islamic law. To try to get them to agree to something can be near impossible even if it is the right thing in the sught of the Shariah. Having said this, I do not see why anyone would take exception to someone studying a book on fiqh silently Thus, the best way to approach this problem is to consult the Imam and tell him about your predicament. Alternatively, another way to get some change in this attitude of some of the commitee members is to try to find someone who is on the commitee who can appreciate your concern to further your case to allow people to study in the Masjid. I do not think there wil be much benefit in trying to speak to the commitee member who initially stopped you.


Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.

 

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