Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has emphasised the importance of imams being knowledgeable in Islamic jurisprudence, or fiqh, to effectively carry out their duties. 

His comments follow the suspension of two imams who were scheduled to lead Eid prayers at The Azeeza Mosque in Hulhumalé but failed to attend. As a result, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has barred them from delivering khutbahs for the next five years.

In a social media post, Minister Dr Shaheem explained that while it is not mandatory for imams to hold higher academic degrees in Islamic law, they must be well-versed in the essential principles of fiqh. He highlighted that basic knowledge, such as applying the five al-aḥkām al-khamsa, is sufficient to enable imams to perform their duties effectively.

The Minister also addressed the issue of punctuality, especially for major prayers like Eid. He stressed that imams should ensure they arrive in good time to allow the congregation to properly organise themselves before the prayer begins.

Further, the Minister pointed out that the conduct of prayers should be adaptable to the size of the congregation. He explained that if farḍ (obligatory) prayers are held in a large congregation, adjustments should be made to avoid any disturbances. He also noted that loud recitations during prayers could be problematic for nearby residents, including women, children, and patients in surrounding homes. The Minister referenced Islamic teachings that discourage causing discomfort to others with loud Quranic recitations.

However, the ministers reaffirmed that the call to prayer should still be loud enough to notify people of prayer times. He also acknowledged the needs of individuals with health issues or other difficulties who may find it challenging to stay through long congregational prayers. In such cases, he suggested that prayers should be organised in a way that accommodates everyone, especially during adverse weather conditions.