The Role of the Imam in Worship and Muslim Community

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Explain the role of an imam in the worship and the daily life of a Muslim community. The imam has many roles in the worship and daily life of a Muslim community. The Imam is the leader of the congregation and the leader of a Muslim community. One of the roles is leading prayers in the mosque. It all started in the days where Muhammad was establishing the religion of Islam in Arabia. Muhammad always led prayers in the mosque standing on the minbar, a narrow staircase left empty at the top to represent the figureless portrayal of Allah. The imam stands on the foot of the minbar where Prophet Muhammad used to lead congregational prayer. The word “Imam” means “in the front” so the Imam leads prayers at the front, in a Muslim community just like the Prophet did. He does this by facing the Mihrab in the Qiblah wall while leading the congregation in the rakats. An Imam must be well educated in the Quranic verses, must understand it well, further to understand it better and must live according it. This is because the Imam is responsible for everyone praying behind him. If he makes a mistake, then he will make the mistake for everyone praying behind him. Another role of the imam is to lead the all-important Friday Salat-ul-Jumu’ah. Every Friday, Muslims gather in obedience to the command of the Qur’an for Zuhr prayers just after midday. “O, ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed on the Salah al-Jumu’ah, hasten to prayer in the remembrance of Allah and leave off business.” Surah 62:9. But just before the prayers the Imam gives a khutbah. A khutbah is a formal occasion of public preaching in Islamic tradition that the imam carries out. The khutbah is the tool of educating, uniting and guiding the Muslim community, so if he misleads, or uses the khutbah for the wrong reasons he will be responsible for all his action and the people that follow him. The role of the

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