How, then, can those devoted to learning and worship be told, “Do not marry,” when the Lawgiver has recommended marriage and urged it? He also said:

“There is no monasticism in Islam.”

How, then, can a condition requiring monasticism be valid?

The notion that remaining unmarried is more helpful in countering Satan’s schemes, learning, and worship is mistaken and contrary to both Islamic law and reality. Rather, being married is more helpful in countering Satan’s schemes. Supporting those devoted to worship and learning is more beloved to Allah and His Messenger than supporting those among them who embrace monasticism. This is not the place to discuss the matter exhaustively.

Likewise, stipulating that imams and muezzins must come from a particular town or tribe is invalid. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“The people should be led in prayer by the one most proficient in reciting the Book of Allah. If they are equal in recitation, then by the one most knowledgeable about the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who emigrated earliest. If they are equal in the time of their emigration, then by the oldest.”

Narrated by Muslim.

Mosques belong to Allah; they are built for His sake in the manner He has prescribed. If the founder of an endowment restricts the position of mosque imam to someone from a particular town, there may be someone from elsewhere who has a stronger claim to lead the prayer according to the conditions laid down by Allah and His Messenger. Observing the founder’s condition in this case would necessarily mean abandoning what Allah and His Messenger have commanded. Allah’s condition takes precedence and is more binding.