THE MOSQUE IMAM AND HIS INFLUENCE ON THE STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY

Abstract

From a linguistic perspective, the term imam means «a person who is followed». Historically in Islam, individuals who guided and led the community were referred to as imams. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) served as the imam for the Muslims who followed him, overseeing both their religious and worldly affairs. Following his passing, the caliphs who succeeded him were also regarded as imams of the ummah, embodying leadership that extended to all aspects of state governance and religious life. In contemporary times, however, the term imam has evolved to denote religious personnel, primarily clerics who serve in mosques. In our society, an imam is typically viewed as a religious leader responsible for mosque-related duties. This article aims to analyze the multifaceted role of the imam by breaking it down into kay aspects, highlighting its significance in fostering social stability and contributing to the develop- ment of society.