Can an Imam Receive Salary During Hajj Leave?
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
The Ruling on a Masjid Imam Appointing a Deputy for Hajj Holidays and Receiving Salary
Darulifta Ahlesunnat (Dawateislami)
Question
What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following matter: If a muezzin and the imam of a masjid take extra holidays beyond the standard leaves due to the blessing of performing Hajj and Umrah, will the salary for those extra days be deducted or not? Furthermore, if during this time he appoints a person, who fulfils the criteria of the Shariah, as his deputy and that deputy performs the duties of the imam on his behalf, what is the ruling regarding the salary for those days?
Answer
The imam and muezzin are only allowed as many holidays as are customary and prevalent in that place. Any holidays beyond that—whether without an excuse or due to an excuse such as Hajj and Umrah—must result in a deduction of salary. However, if he appoints a person capable of leading the prayer as his deputy for those days, this deputy system is correct. In this case, the original imam is the one entitled to the salary for those days. Then, the original imam will give the deputy the wages that were agreed upon between them.
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَ سَلَّم
(Allah Almighty knows best and His Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَ اٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows best.)
Answered By: Mufti Fuzail Raza Attari
Date: Islamic Magazine Faizan e Madina July 2026