Good Governance
Overview
Leading an Islamic center is a solemn responsibility that entails
great consequences for both the community and the individual leader.
The Qur’an stresses the importance of leading with wisdom and justice,
and warns against complacency in conducting one’s leadership duties. “O you who believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you.” (8:27) “God
doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are
due; and when you judge between man and man, that you judge with
justice.” (4:58).
Muslim communities that leave decision to the whims of individual
leaders are in violation of divine commandments. Communities should
strive to institutionalize their practices, by setting specialized
committees, adopting sound procedures, and establish due process to
ensure fairness.
Much resource is wasted in quarrel because the community has no
clear and transparent rules to guide actions and relations. A great
deal of confusion and friction can be avoided when the community adopts
a well-developed constitution and bylaws, and when community leaders
embrace a code of ethics that sets parameters for using their authority
judiciously.
Decision making should be based on consultation, and should always
be guided by established principles and the collective wisdom of the
community. The American Muslim community is very diverse, and community
leaders must strive to accommodate various practices recognized by
various schools of fiqh or rooted in established cultural traditions, as long as the latter do not contravene established Islamic principles.
Guidelines
- The leadership of the Islamic center should ensure that the center
is governed by clear and fair rules and guidelines rooted in Islamic
teachings and approved by the general body.
- Islamic center leaders should closely and reasonably adhere to established policies and procedures.
- Decisions that fall within the mandate of the governing body
should be taken after proper consultation with elected leaders. Elected
leaders should, however, consult with the general body in matters that
fall outside their constitutional authority.
- Community leaders must ensure that the rules and procedures
that govern conducts in the Islamic center respect the diversity of the
Muslim community. Enforcing limited interpretations of Islam, or
practices specific to a particular Muslim culture or tradition, are
bound to exclude important segments of the Muslim community, alienate
Muslims who would otherwise add to the strength of the community, and
inhibit the growth of Islam in North America.
- Islamic centers should strive to hire full time imams and
administrators, and ensure that they are well qualified and well paid
to do the work assigned to them.
- Imams, and other individuals involved in teaching Islam and
providing religious and moral guidance, must be well versed in Islam
and reasonably acquainted with American culture and institutions. The
community should provide learning opportunities for its imams and
public speakers.
- Imams and community leaders should adhere to a code of
ethics developed by the community, or adopt the one designed by ISNA,
and pledge to uphold it and adhere to its stipulations.
- Islamic centers must set a due process for handling all
grievances. The due process must ensure fairness and be clear and
sufficiently transparent.
Resources
- Model Bylaws for Islamic Centers
Defines the
organizational structure and procedures needed for fair and effective
running of the Islamic Center. Model Bylaws are informed by the unique
experience of Islamic centers in North America. - Code of Ethics for Masjid Officials
Ethical
principles every Muslim leader and imam should adopt to ensure that the
Islamic principles of compassion, fairness, and leadership duty are
carried out and integrated to the work of Muslim leaders in charge of
running the affairs of the community. - Qualifications and Duties of Imams
Tips
and guidelines to help the community select the imam, define his rights
and duties, identify criteria for evaluating his performance. - Sample Forms and Procedures
Forms to help facilitate the interaction between community members and masjid officials.