Re: Why are Imams and Masjids the way they are? a split from: Tough Decisions in lif
In addition to my above post, I'd like to add that a lot of barbarism comes from lack of knowledge at home.
Example, many muslims have no concept of islam (sadly) but are influenced by cultural decisions, and monkey see monkey do kind of stuff. Now that I am involved in our local masjid, madrassah I realize that many things were have picked up along the way are not just incorrect Islamically but so widely practiced. So if there was consistency of knowledge, disagreements would be fewer.
Why is it that on every Eid all local masjids fight over the correct day? We see 2 sometimes 3 different Eid days within the same city. Some imams succumb to the pressures of ignorant community members and go against their principles and belief system.
Regarding why imams and khateebs may not be as gentle as we expect them to be... maybe because we as a community are also less tolerant now, we have unrealistic expectations, we like to dump everything on the Imam...what about our responsibility as a muslim? Yes there are imams who don't know how to deal with people but there are also community members who have a problem with everything.