Fatwa No : 29295
Forcing the Imam to participate in Tablighi gatherings

Forcing the Imam to participate in Tablighi gatherings

Is it necessary for the Imam to spend time in Dawat and Tabligh? Also, it is permissible to force the Imam to sit and listen to Tablighi Bayanat? If he doesn’t sit due to some legitimate excuse, then what is the ruling? If he doesn’t comply, can he be removed from being the Imam?

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It is indeed an act of great reward if the Imam of a masjid or Alim willingly participates in Tablighi gatherings and lectures so that the general mass may benefit. However, forcing the Imam to sit, or reprimanding or dismissing him from his position as the Imam for not participating in Tablighi Bayanaat, regardless of whether or not he has a legitimate excuse, is not permissible as per Shari’ah, and must be avoided.
And Allah knows best.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

کما فی الدر: وللشاب العالم أن یتقدم علی الشیخ الجاہل ولو قریشیا قال تعالی: والذین اوتو العلم درجات فالرافع ہو اللہ تعالیٰ فمن یضعہ یضعہ اللہ فی جہنم وہم اولو الامر علی الاصح وورثۃ الانبیاء بلا خلاف الخ. (:۶/ ص: ۷۵۶)
ومن القواعد: لا جبر علی التبرعات۔۔۔۔۔۔۔واللہ اعلم