Ihsan

ROCKING THE SCHOLARLY BOAT

the following article was written in the australian context of imams who are generally imported from overseas, speak little english and have little understanding of local conditions. many of these imams are poorly paid and are expected to perform merely traditional roles. they are often at the mercy of a mosque management committee, many of whom show little respect to the knowledge the imam carries.

perhaps the comments made here equally apply to imams serving other western muslim communities.


Some years back, I assisted an Australian Imam in his quest to retain his employment with a Sydney Islamic society. The Imam had held his post for around 10 years, and a new executive committee decided they no longer needed his services. After months of intrigue, mudslinging and distribution of dirt-sheets about “Maulana Sahib”, the Imam finally gave up. I doubt he has ever looked back.

One issue central to the dispute was the Imam’s qualifications. Questions were raised about whether he had the requisite “sanad”, who gave him the “ijaza” and whether his qualifications merely went as far as a masters degree at an Islamic or other university.

Following the recent Friday prayer service led by Amina Wudud, accomplished author and Professor of Islamic Studies at a mainstream university in the United States, all sorts of people have rushed to judge her as being unqualified and unable to speak on matters of sharia.

Recent forum discussions on the islamicsydney.com website have sparked the debate, with one prominent Sydney personality being challenged to produce his qualifications in sharia. The debate arose after he made the ambit claim that anyone stating Professor Wudud’s position had possible support within the sharia were deviants and possessors of a “flirting mind”.

Should Imams be asked to prove their scholarly credentials? Should we have a central system of accrediting Imams? Or should we maintain our ‘deregulated’ system that allows anyone with a few ‘ijazas’ or a masters degree in Islamic Studies to claim the mantle of Islamic scholarship?

And why do some claimants to scholarship become defensive (and in the case of the Sydney personality referred to above, downright offensive) and cagey when asked about their qualifications?

In our worldly affairs, we always are careful when obtaining independent professional advice. You don’t get help from a psychiatrist for a gynaecological issue (unless it is post-natal depression). You don’t approach a chartered accountant to commence court proceedings for workers compensation.

All professionals are accredited. They must pass certain exams, complete university degrees, attend continuing professional educational courses and maintain a license or practising certificate with numerous conditions including a nebulous one that they be a “fit a proper person”.

But who is fit and proper to teach and advise on the universe of Islamic sciences? We throw our legal, our financial and our health affairs to accredited professionals and experts. Are not our souls also deserving of expert care?

And just as anyone has the right to ask me about my right to practise law or my experience in particular areas of law before engaging my services, why shouldn’t I have the right to ask an Imam’s expertise before engaging his (one day we will get to the stage when we can say “her”) services?

Perhaps we should start thinking about an accreditation system for Imams. Perhaps a requirement that they speak, read and write English. That they attending courses on counselling. But given the reluctance of Islamic societies to pay their Imams proper wages and provide effective support services … well, that is the subject of the next column!

posted by Irf at 5/07/2005 10:13:00 AM