Becoming an imam

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rpwelton

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As I struggle to find out what kind of career I want in this life, I find myself being drawn more and more towards becoming an imam. I enjoy teaching people, and I am very passionate about Islam, even though I've only been a Muslim for about a year now.

I work in the finance industry right now, and although it's OK and the money is pretty good, I just don't see myself lasting in this field for the long term. The thought of becoming an imam, however, is obviously not motivated by monetary purposes. As I continue to think about this as a possible position for me in the future, I'm curious about a few things:

1) I know that Imams must go through extensive schooling to become educated about all facets of Islam and learn arabic (for those whose native tongue is not arabic). Most Imams that I know have been educated overseas, but is that a necessity? Are there any good schools in the US or Canada that can prepare one with the kind of knowledge one needs to be an imam?

2) What is the average salary for an imam in the US? It feels like kind of the wrong question to ask, but after all we have to pay bills and feed our families. I realize that it will be a significant pay cut from any kind of corporate job I could get.

Also, in regards to the above question, how do Imams make enough to support their families? I have a well-paying job, but if my wife did not work we would literally be living paycheck to packcheck. Since I would probably make about half as much as an Imam, I'm not sure how I could adequately support a family.

Jazakallahirn!
 
rpwelton said:
1) I know that Imams must go through extensive schooling to become educated about all facets of Islam and learn arabic (for those whose native tongue is not arabic). Most Imams that I know have been educated overseas, but is that a necessity? Are there any good schools in the US or Canada that can prepare one with the kind of knowledge one needs to be an imam?
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Being educated overseas is not a necessity. Those imaams just have a higher demand. Sometimes. But to be an Imaam, you'll need to be able to learn fluent arabic and be able to understand the Qur'an in arabic. Just knowing translations will leave you at a disadvantage. I say this because I heard it from my dad who's an Imaam. I cannot recommend any schools in US or Canada, as I don't live there.

2) What is the average salary for an imam in the US? It feels like kind of the wrong question to ask, but after all we have to pay bills and feed our families. I realize that it will be a significant pay cut from any kind of corporate job I could get.
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In the UK, and average Imaam would probably get less than $20k per annum. Most apply for child benefits to be able to support their family.
 
:bump:

It doesn't feel right to bump my own thread, but I'd really like more people to chime in if they've got some advice.
 
rpwelton said:
As I struggle to find out what kind of career I want in this life, I find myself being drawn more and more towards becoming an imam. I enjoy teaching people, and I am very passionate about Islam, even though I've only been a Muslim for about a year now.

I work in the finance industry right now, and although it's OK and the money is pretty good, I just don't see myself lasting in this field for the long term. The thought of becoming an imam, however, is obviously not motivated by monetary purposes. As I continue to think about this as a possible position for me in the future, I'm curious about a few things:

1) I know that Imams must go through extensive schooling to become educated about all facets of Islam and learn arabic (for those whose native tongue is not arabic). Most Imams that I know have been educated overseas, but is that a necessity? Are there any good schools in the US or Canada that can prepare one with the kind of knowledge one needs to be an imam?

2) What is the average salary for an imam in the US? It feels like kind of the wrong question to ask, but after all we have to pay bills and feed our families. I realize that it will be a significant pay cut from any kind of corporate job I could get.

Also, in regards to the above question, how do Imams make enough to support their families? I have a well-paying job, but if my wife did not work we would literally be living paycheck to packcheck. Since I would probably make about half as much as an Imam, I'm not sure how I could adequately support a family.

Jazakallahirn!
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:sl:

have you heard of or are you near to
Institute of Islamic Studies - McGill University

McGill University: Institute of Islamic Studies. Morrice Hall 3485 McTavish Street. Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y1 Canada. Tel: (514) 398-6077

:w:
 
AnonymousGender said:
:sl:

have you heard of or are you near to
Institute of Islamic Studies - McGill University

McGill University: Institute of Islamic Studies. Morrice Hall 3485 McTavish Street. Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y1 Canada. Tel: (514) 398-6077

:w:
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From the looks of their program, they seem to focus on Islam from a westerner's viewpoint. I think the type of schools I'm looking for are run by either scholars or those well-versed in Islam and can teach it from the Muslim perspective. I appreciate the help, though.
 
rpwelton said:
From the looks of their program, they seem to focus on Islam from a westerner's viewpoint. I think the type of schools I'm looking for are run by either scholars or those well-versed in Islam and can teach it from the Muslim perspective. I appreciate the help, though.
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:sl:
I disagree, if I may! one of their students is Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui
For several years, Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui has been a professor of Ethics, History and Religion at various universities in Pakistan. Currently, he is Professor of Civilization Studies and Medical Ethics at the Shifa College of Medicine (Bahria University) under the "Physician and Society" program. Previously, he has taught at the Hamdard University, Islamabad Campus and the Women's Institute of Science and Humanities (Riphah University, Islamabad). Shifa College of Medicine is located in Islamabad, Pakistan. ... Hamdard University is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. ...

He has lectured extensively on various subjects related to civilizational studies, ethics, religion and technology in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.
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look at the style the brother explains an issue @ http://www.islamicboard.com/miscellaneous/134273647-haram-halal-meat.html

:w:

P.S.
International Islamic University - IIUI
 
Does a imam get paid? I
Might be one after retirement:) inshallah.
 
wth1257 said:
sweet, I should be an Imam:O

but seriousl, to the OP. If you want to be an imam wouldn't you want to go study in Egypt at Al-Azhar?
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if a person graduated from Al-Azhar...he/she will have a much higher position like becoming a mufti.
 
wth1257 said:
What exactly is a Mufti?

I'm sorry to go off topic but I've always wondered that.
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In Malaysia, each state has a mufti (a muslim leader).

An Imaan... usually is the leader of a masjid.
 
But 20k is less. I wonder if poor masjid imams get paid?
 
:sl:

An imaam is somebody who generally knows some or all of the Quraan and can lead the prayers. Mostly in the US now, they don't just want an imaam who can lead the prayers naturally. You need to have studied all that will make you a Sheikh, which would be 'Arabic as well as Tafseer of the Quraan and commentary of the Hadeeth in most cases. In some masajid you could be expected to teach the youth Quran and hold classes, and they will definitely expect you to be able to answer their questions that they have on Islam...

The pay depends on who you work for... The minimum could be about $24,000 regardless of the family you have to take care off. But it varies from masjid to masjid and they treat each differently based on how much they can get away with... If you get a job where you just lead the prayers though and don't have to do anything else in the masjid, then you can even privately teach and do other things for the Muslim community and charge for the services.

Oh, and a Mufti is able to interpret the Quran and Hadeeth and produce their own fatwas. I think.
 
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Asalam Alaykum Warakmatulah Wabarkatuh.
But my masjid isn't really a actual masjid it's a rented basement who ask for donations every Friday , if I were to be they're imam I think I wouldn't get paid.
 
Yanal said:
Asalam Alaykum Warakmatulah Wabarkatuh.
But my masjid isn't really a actual masjid it's a rented basement who ask for donations every Friday , if I were to be they're imam I think I wouldn't get paid.
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donations huh.

When school starts again I think I'll put out a donations jar. Seriously. I helped some pre law students till 3:00AM last semester. I need to get paid^o)

tipjar2-1.jpg


:D

But seriously, who pays the imam?

Like does the Mosque set aside funds to pay him?
 
Yanal said:
Thats what I don't know.
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I find it confusing because I was raised Catholic. So Priests are assigned to a Church by their Bishop/order and there isin't a problem. Do you think imam's are hired by the Mosque? If so I would assume that they get paid through the Musque funds.

You teach law...?
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No, but I was in a Constitutional Powers class with a bunch of pre law students who had trouble reading and understanding Supreme Court oppinions:mmokay:
 

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