Weakness of Imam leads to weakness of Ummah!

As-Salaamu Alaikum.

Imams hold a key position. It is very common in the Muslim community
that people generally have very limited knowledge of Religion and
approach Imam for guidance from time to time. And Imam is not
necessarily a learned (Alim). The way they put forth their plea
about their problems convinces the Imam to approve them for their
act or desire to do a thing. And in the most adverse situation if
the Imam denies, they forsake the Imam and go ahead with their
desire. Is this Kufr?

It happens in Schools that the teachers are paid by the government
and they are the employees of the government. They work under strict
discipline as formulated by the govt.

I have a suggestion: why don't we have a private/public body
parallel to the govt. who will appoint Learned (Alim / Mufti) on
salary basis and fill up the vacant places at Mosques. This would
have following benefits:
1. Generally Imams are not paid well. To maintain their families
they cannot work for a livelihood in today's difficult conditions
where even others don't find a Halaal job. They are compelled to
resort to somehow work in agreement with the trustees of the Masjid
and are driven by them rather than Religiously right or wrong.
2. Good quality Imams will be readily available for the general
people for guidance which will not be tempered by money power.
3. It will be a good network for flow of information and ideas.
4. Funds collected at Masjids are utilized for up-keep and
maintenance and if the funds fall short, Electric bills, water
Bills, etc. are paid first and Imam gets the last preference.
5. Imam should be paid handsome amount and not only used for Masjid
and Madrasa but also for propagation of religion. Such work force
can also be later used for running a full-fledge conventional
schools.

I hope that this message be read and replied.

Was-salaam.

Ali Ahmed. <ahmedansari@rediffmail.com>