By Neeraj Mahajan
Look at the contradiction – the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister of a State or Chief Justice of India has a fixed term. Except Field Marshall, all officials holding the most coveted post are called retired or former but the Imam of Jama Masjid is never retires. He continues to hold the post for life.
A 2nd or 3rd generation Gandhi, Pilot, Pawar, Mahajan or Dutt joining the profession of their forefathers is said to be promoting dynastic rule. But no one objects when 400-year-old Imamat of Jama Masjid is passed on to the 14th generation in the same family.
This brings us to the fundamental question–should Imam-hood be passed on as a hereditary right, scholarly virtues in Islamic studies, popularity or acceptance among the people.
But before we proceed, let’s find out the actual significance of the Shahi Imam’s post in Islam?
The term imam is an honorary title given to a person who leads prayers in mosques. The Imam or priest has no function- but to lead the prayers. The title of Shahi Imam or Imam-ul-Sultan, means Imam of the emperor.
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan was the one who got the Jama Masjid built at a cost of one million over a six-year period. It was originally called Masjid Jahan Numa or “mosque with a commanding view of the world”. Shahjahan ensured that the pulpit of the mosque was higher than the royal throne at Red Fort. When this mosque was ready in 1656 AD he wanted an imam who could lead the prayers. People in those days waited for the Emperor to be present during the prayers. But at times the Emperor was caught in some urgent work which meant the prayer schedule was disturbed. Hence, the need was felt for a competent religious scholar to act as Imam. 
Shahjahan selected Maulana Syed Abdul Ghafoor, who come from Bukhara and joined as the “Imamul Haq” or the first Imam of the Jama Masjid. Since that day, the Bukhari family has continued to administer the mosque. Syed Ahmad Bukhari is the 13th Imam. Friends of the Bukhari family insist that Shah Jahan’s will explicitly state that Shahi Imam’s title is passed down the Imam’s family.
Why should one family monopolize the post? What if the person is unfit for the post? Do we need a Mughal’s permission for whatever happens in 2014?
Can such a competent Muslim outside the Bukhari family be stopped from holding Imam’s post? Also at a time when there is no monarchy in India, what is the justification of the title of ‘Shahi Imam’? Can a person be called Imam-UL-Sultan when there is no Emperor or Badshah. The Mughals build thousands of mosques, including the Jama Masjid of Agra why should all those Imams also not be called Shahi Imam? What is so special about Imam Bukhari?
“The title Shahi Imam should be taken away from him. When you have taken away the privy purses and privileges of the erstwhile Maharajas why should such good for good for nothing power brokers be spared” says Danish Khan, Editor, Indian Muslim Observer.
Interestingly, before conferring the title Shahi Imam on Maulana Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari – the first Imam of the Jama Masjid, Emperor Shahjahan made sure that he was a descendant of the Holy Prophet from both of his parents. His noble birth, respectable image, knowledge, learning, capabilities and overall personality was another deciding factor. On top of it all the Shah of Bukhara’s recommendations clinched the post in his favor.
Obviously there was no dearth of Muslims in Indian sub-continent but Shahjahan did not want just anybody but the best performing to officiate as the Imam of Jama Masjid? Could the same Shah Jehan approve of a below-average or unworthy person to on such a coveted post?
Since the beginning, two main duties of the Shahi Imam have been– performing the coronation ceremony of Mughal Emperors and ensuring the smooth conduct of the prayers at the Jama Masjid. Syed Ghafoor Bukhari, the first Shahi Imam performed the coronation of Emperor Aurangzeb. Bahadur Shah Zafar’s coronation ceremony was performed by Mir Ahmed Ali Shah Bukhari the eighth Shahi Imam on Sunday, 30th September, 1837.
Another role of the Shahi Imam from the early days has been conducting the prayers. Lead by Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari Emperor Shahjahan and all his ministers offered the first of Id-ul-Fitr prayer at Jama Masjid on July 24, 1656 AD. At the end of it, the Emperor appointed him Imamat-e-Uzma.
The title – Shahi Imam has no relevance or authority today.
Ahmed Bukhari belongs to the Sunni Muslim community. Though he officially neither the spokesperson or the religious head, but one of the most visible faces in the community. It is not only undemocratic and unislamic on his part to promote hereditary lineage, but also goes against the basic concept of Shunnism.
Sunnis, were the first to insist that Abu Bakr should lead the Muslims after the death of prophet Mohammed. All, because he was worthy and capable, instead of Ali his son-in-law and family member (Prophet Mohammad did not have a son). In the light of this, can Ahmed Bukhari insist on his son Shaban Bukhari takes over as naib-imam and possible the 14th Imam from the family and son-in-law Umar Ali Khan being made MLC?
“There is no concept of hereditary Imam-hood. If that were, Imams should have continued for generations in Saudi Arabia, holy Kabbah, Pakistan or Bangladesh? But that is not so. The government there appoints the Imams; they get a salary and can be changed… why not in India?” asks Danish Khan.
26 Comments
This blog is extremely cool. How was it made !?
obviously like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on quite a few
of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I
to find it very bothersome to inform the reality nevertheless I will
definitely come back again.
That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!
This is the right site for everyone who would like to find out about this topic.
You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that
I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand
new spin on a topic that has been written about for years.
Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
Tremendous things here. I’m very satisfied to peer your post.
Thanks so much and I’m looking forward to contact you. Will you
please drop me a mail?
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
and I am impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I
care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Your mode of explaining everything in this piece of writing is in fact fastidious, every one be capable of simply
know it, Thanks a lot.
It’s difficult to find experienced people on this topic, however,
you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out some additional information.
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted
of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for brooklyn dui attorney
Very soon this web site will be famous amid
all blogging and site-building visitors, due to it’s nice articles
I used to be able to find good information from your content.
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a stuff!
existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this website.
Hi, yup this paragraph is genuinely pleasant and I have learned lot
of things from it regarding blogging. thanks.
I think the admin of this web site is actually working hard in support of his web page,
because here every stuff is quality based stuff.
Hello, yes this post is in fact good and
I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.
hello!,I like your writing very much! percentage we keep up a
correspondence extra about your article on AOL? I need a
specialist in this area to resolve my problem.
Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
Hi, this weekend is good for me, since this time i am reading this wonderful educational piece of writing here at my house.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video
to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting
videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening
to read?
If some one desires to be updated with most up-to-date technologies
therefore he must be visit this site and be up to date all the
time.
This article will help the internet viewers for setting up new blog or even a blog from start to end.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website
loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hi colleagues, its great piece of writing about educationand completely explained, keep it
up all the time.
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web page daily, this web site is
actually nice and the viewers are genuinely sharing nice thoughts.