A Brother from Durban pouring out his lament pertaining to exploiting Muath-thins, writes:
Bismihi Ta’ala Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
I have a little concern I would like to put forward and perhaps you can offer me some advice and preferably publish this (only if it is appropriate).
I am from Durban, I pray my salaah at a Musjid in Overport. What I have noticed is in “majority” if not all the musjids, the security guard and the muazzin never get a day off – I know it has been approximately 3 years now this one Muazzin has been giving the Azaan everyday. Besides on two occasions he did not give the esha, however he was present at the musjid.
It is imperative to note that generally the Muazzin is also the cleaner of that particular musjid. That is: 365 x 3 = 1095 days (approximately) of working days, without a day off.
As for the guard, they work 6 to 6 shifts. The musjid has cameras, alarm system and 24 guarding service. There are 2 guards that share the shift, and they have been working day in and day out. I cannot understand how human beings are treated like this. It hurts me alot Mufti Saheb.
However, I cannot speak to the trustees etc, because I’ll get a massive boot and will be asked to pray salaah elsewhere (the sad reality).
My question is, are these practices in accordance to Quran and Sunnah. I am a lame man, I know nothing. Therefore, if it is then please educate me and, if it is not then please do a write up Mufti Saheb and speak out on my behalf to create awareness. I am so emotionally drained, I make dua Allah Ta’ala assists these brethren.
P.S please do not mention my name if you wish to publish this, it will just create controversy. I eagerly await your response. Jazakmullah
(End of the Brother’s lament)
It is indeed unjust and cruel to compel the Muath-thin to be on duty 365 days of the year. He also has a family to see to and also requires some free time and rest. It is necessary for the trustees, to give the Muath-thin paid leave for an arranged time.
In most cases, these Muath-thins are foreigners, mostly from Malawi where they have parents and other close relatives. The trustees should allow the Muath-thin to take leave for visiting his parents, etc., and also pay for the travelling expenses from their own pockets, if affordable, or from other funds available. Such travelling expenses germane to the Muath-thin’s need, are a lousy pittance compared to the hundreds of thousands of rands which the wealthy squander on haraam mock ‘umrah’ holidays.
It is haraam to be so callous as trustees of the Musaajid are. Generally they are ignorant. Their ignorance is compounded and aggravated with pride and arrogance stemming from wealth. They seem not to understand that the Muath-thin is a Muslim Insaan. To gain the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, the Muath-thin should be treated like an Insaan.
However, the Muath-thin is generally held in contempt due to his poverty and unfortunate circumstances, yet on the Day of Qiyaamah, the wealthy will look askance at the poor whom they had despised here on earth. It is mentioned in the Hadith that on the Day of Qiyaamah all mankind in their billions will be assembled and standing in perspiration of various degrees of depth. Some will be standing in perspiration ankle deep, some knee deep, some shoulder deep and some neck deep. While all people will be languishing in hardship and misery on that day of fierce and scorching heat, a Caller (an Angel) will announce that all Fuqara (the poor) should step out. They will form a separate group.
The Fuqara and Masaakeen will then be permitted to go into the sufoof (rows) where all humanity will be trapped, and they will be given the right to take with them into Jannat anyone who had fed or clothed them. It is mentioned in the Hadith, that at that juncture all people, especially the wealthy, will look with wide expecting eyes at the Fuqara hoping that they (the Fuqara) will recognize them, i.e. recognize those who had clothed, fed and assisted them. The Fuqara will then move among the rows and take with them whoever had given them Sadqah of any kind.
Trustees of Musaajid are generally scoundrels suffering from the disease of pride and arrogance. They should take note and not barter away their welfare of the Aakhirat with their pride, arrogance and callousness. Be merciful to the Muath-thins and other workers and tolerate their indiscretion. Trustees should doctor their pride with humility. They should ask the Muath-thins to make dua for them. The dua of the poor who are exploited is maqbool (readily accepted) by Allah Ta’ala.
10 Shawwaal 1443 – 12 May 2022