Women Imam's Network Meet-Up Link

Use this link to meet up with other Muslims who want to organize woman-led congregational prayers in your area.

Minimum Qualifications for an Imam

It should be noted that Sunni congregations do not necessarily follow these qualifications strictly. In many mosques members of the community take turns leading the congregational prayer.

The Minimum Required Qualifications of an Imam as broken down from the Five Schools:

1. The imam must be Muslim.
2. The imam must be sane, of age, and be able to perform the movements of the ritual prayer physically
3. The imam must know all the required elements of leading the ritual prayer and the required elements of the prayer itself.
4. The imam must be able to recite by heart all the required portions of the prayer in Arabic with clear pronounciation

The Minimum Recommended Qualifications of an Imam as broken down from the Five Schools:

If equally qualified people meet for a congregational prayer,

1. The imam should be the most knowledgeable of jurisprudence, in particular the obligatory and recommended rulings regarding the prayer and be the best reciter of the Qur’an in the community .
2. If not that, then, the imam should be the best reciter of the Qur’an in the community.
3. If not that, then, the imam should have the best character in the community.
4. If not that, then, the imam should be the one with the cleanest and neatest clothes in the community.

Guide to Giving Khutbas

The Sunnahs of Khutbah

For those who are interested in conforming to the sunnahs of giving khutbah, this article provides a short introduction to the guidelines agreed upon by the majority of scholars.

Basically, a khutbah consists of two parts, separated by a short period of silent meditation or prayer. It is generally advised that certain duas should be delivered in Arabic, while the bulk of the khutbah may be in any language.

The khateeb should be a person of learning, respected in the community for her knowledge and understanding. She delivers the khutbah standing, facing the congregation. The first section of the khutbah is usually introduced by praises of Allah, the Prophet and his Companions. One dua commonly used to introduce the khutbah is:

A'udhu Billahi Min ash-Shaitan ir-Rajeem Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem" Al Hamdu lillahi Rabbil 'Alameen. Wassalatu Wassalamu 'Ala Muhammad wa 'Ala Alihi Wa Sahbihi wa Sallim. Ash hadu a la ilaha ill Allah Ash hadu anna Muhammad ar-Rasulallah

I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Satan In the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful The Lord of the Worlds Blessings and greetings upon Muhammad And his people and his companions and Peace I bear witness there is no God but God I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God

The first section of the khutbah is usually closed by duas pertaining to the message of the sermon, and asking for God’s mercy, forgiveness, increase in knowledge and understanding. While many khatibs like to deliver these dua in Arabic, it is not required.

Between the sections of the khutbah, the khatib sits and offers silent supplication or recites verses of the Qur’an or dhikr, as do the congregation. Then she stands and begins the second section of the khutbah, which, like the first section of the khutbah is opened with praise of god and blessing the Prophet and his followers. A common dua used for this is:

Alhamdu Lillahi Wassalatu 'Ala Rasulillahi Wa 'Ala Alihi Wa Sahbihi Wa Man Wala

Praise to Allah and Blessings upon his Messenger and his people and his Companions and his supporters

Also a portion of the Tahashud is often included:

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad, wa ala ali Muhammad, kama salayta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali Ibrahim. Allahumma barik ala Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali ibrahim. Innaka hamidun majid

Oh Allah send peace upon Muhmammad and the people of Muhammad as you sent peace upon Ibrahim and the people of Ibrahim, and bless Muhammad and the people of Muhammad as you blessed Ibrahim and the people of Ibrahim. Surely you are praiseworthy, glorious

The second section of the khutbah is usually shorter than the first section. Some khatibs like to reserve this section purely for duas, some use it to summarize the message of the first section, and others like to make a strong, emotionally appealing closing statement. It is closed by calling the congregation to prayer:

Aqimu as-salaat

Stand for prayer