Friday khuutbah: Imams, education & enlightenment

“Only man, among living things, says prayers. Or needs to.” – Peter Bowman

Muslims look forward to the Friday khutbaah (sermon), especially when the khateeb (person delivering sermon) has taken time to undertake research and comes well prepared for the sermon. If he is an effective communicator, the content becomes a “motivation and management lesson” to further connect primarily with the Creator, then with family, and, finally, fellow colleagues and all others.

When the voice of religion is compassion instead of “fire-and-brimstone” authority, people are inspired and moved to move mountains.

But, often, such is not case of a well prepared khateeb. Why? The telltale signs are exhibited by the attendees, including: (1) eyes closed with possibility to undertake catch-up sleep, especially those leaning against wall/pillars; (2) attendees actually whispering to the ‘shoulder’ next to them; (3) texting and even playing “candy crush”; and (4) the look of “I need to be elsewhere/work by 2 pm!” I will be the first one to admit guilt at times, “need to be elsewhere”, but the Creator is “compassionate and merciful!”

Obviously, all “no-nos”, but the question is not who is to blame, but how to fix! In fixing it, it will not only increase attendance, with ensuing benefits of (1) increased donations for mosque, zakat, sadaqa, causes (weather/earthquake relief), etc., (2) enlightened community, (3) pressure on surrounding mosques to “educate/enlighten”, (4) requests by (initially local) media and non-Muslims to attend, (5) possible “reversions” based upon providing needed answers, and so on.

When there is activity (on non-activity days) and positive energy around a mosque, much of the credit goes to the Imam, community gatekeeper, who will also be the regular khateeb. Thus, issues of “donor fatigue”, attendance challenge on non-Jumma day, and even the usual mosques politics become diminished!

The fix

First, it comes down primarily on budget for hiring the Imam. An Imam is like an “Islamic finance shariah scholar” for his community, and therefore needs to paid “market wages”. Yes, scholars are considered consultants and are paid, and many have given khutbaahs, and, some are (rotating) imams, time permitting. It must be understood Imams have families, and they need to be “supported” with expected quality of life, and not be reliant on donations for livelihood.

[Its well known many mosques rely on donations for (building and/or) addressing operating expenses, now, the time is ripe and right to think about mosque financing, especially in non-Muslim countries. Furthermore, shariah compliant investment portfolio for mosque funds that generates dividend income, much like a pilgrimage fund (Tabung Haji), to address operating expenditures needs to tackled, hence, an article for another day.]

The search by the Board of Directors, or its equivalent, or if assigned by the “state”, needs to be thorough and exhaustive as it’s an investment in the community and “branding” of the mosque. Otherwise, there is the costly high turnover and confidence erosion of the board, all detrimental for the community.

[For places like US or UK, it no longer makes sense to bring an “imam” from the villages in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Egypt, etc., because of the cultural disconnect, especially with youth.  Or accept overseas mosque funding with the implicit pre-condition of espousing a certain interpretation of Islam. Thus, take the approach of corporations of hiring senior leadership positions, via headhunter, should be taken to find the right candidate. A headhunter has (1) objective criteria, (2) detached from pressure and (3) has wider reach!]

[State sponsored khutbaahs presents an interesting dichotomy: On the one hand, the message in pre-Arab spring countries like Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, etc., was not deemed legitimate as it was from ‘corrupted’ man made authority. On the other hand, in non-democratic countries where the ruler is a benevolent leader, it seems the people give the leader and his message legitimacy.]

The pre-requisites for a qualified Imam should include: (1) education (institution name, degree achieved, and even grades), (2) experience (research, work in community), (3) recommendations, (4) communication skills (includes languages spoken), (5) inter-personal, compassion and empathy skills. It’s well understood that an Imam not only leads prayers, performs marriages, etc., but is also a family counsellor.

For me, the most effective Imams are the ones that I approach to have a conversation about the khutbaah after the Jumma prayers!

The message

Assuming the right type of person is hired as an imam (job) and has passed the probation period, it is expected the person will talk about the five pillars of Islam, miracle of the Koran in the chapters and verses of the Quran, sayings of the beloved Prophet, and it will be relevant and important to the newly reverts, uninformed, etc.

I view the khutbaah as not only further connecting with the Creator, but also an education lesson, hence, would like to hear about some of the following areas:

1. The last sermon of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w), broken down over several weeks, as discrimination, oppression, hate, anger, corruption, etc., is more prevalent among Muslims and in Muslim countries today. The beloved Prophet (s.a.w) said, “I have left among you two things; you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.” (Al-Hakim)

2. The mercy and compassion (positive reinforcement) of the Almighty and not always on the wrath (negative). For example, study after study shows the benefits of positive messages to raising children, the same applies to the community, especially with reverts.

3. How extremists interpret and try to hijack Islam, and what is the message to them? Is it the same message to the anti-shariah community that equates and links Islam as the fifth column determined to convert by the sword and over-throw the constitution and elected parliament/Congress!

4. Imperative obligation to seek knowledge!... faith alone will not be enough in the Day of Judgement when Allah (s.w.t) will ask every human being to give account of what they did or didn’t do.

5. Islam does not require an intermediary, as the relationship is between man and Creator, but how did the “Mullah” become so influential to the detriment of Muslims/Islam? We went from the inventions and innovations of the golden ages, one can see with the 1001 Inventions: Enduring Legacy of the Muslim Civilization, to today’s situation of few Noble peace prize winners, few patents, etc. Today, more Muslims are killed by Muslims than drones and non-Muslims!

6. The process for reversion, using examples of ordinary people, public figures, prisoners, etc., what is the universal appeal to such people? What do they see that, we born Muslims, take for granted about Islam?

7. Certain words that have become charged like “fundamentalist”, “jihad”, “shariah”, etc., and how best to reclaim?

8. Women issues in Islam, and may be the khateeb could be a sister (obviously, she could not lead the prayers) on matters like:

a. World Hijab Day: fashion and liberation or oppression?

b. What does “heaven is under your mother’s feet” mean, but then why are many women oppressed and mistreated, especially in less well do and uneducated places?

c. Role of women to lead, we have had women leaders in Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.

d. Treatment of women in other religions and compared to their treatment in Islam.

9. The community should demand Islamic finance by their banks, credit unions, etc., may be set up community based initiative. The community has more confidence and trust in their Imam than Shariah scholars from distant lands, hence, Imam needs to be educated on Islamic finance to answer community questions.

Conclusion

Jumma (Friday) is as important to Muslims as the Sabbath is for Jews and Sunday is for Christians/Catholics. Yet, many times, we get second class khutbaahs from well meaning, but unprepared or improperly selected Imams.

Next Jumma, glance at the attendees during khutbaah and see how many are rushing out after the prayers, then you will understand what’s missing and start process of fixing!

“Truly, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” Qur’an (13:11). – February 6, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.