I received the following as an email from a dear friend and I have chosen to share it in its entirety as I think it creates a great platform for dialogue. I request in advance that the discussion stay professional and intelligent. There’s no need to lower oneself to debasing a system or individuals. Let’s discuss in healthy terms on why or why not a system is or is not working. I KNOW you can do it!
Subject: JOB Vacancy During Year 1520-1566
Here’s an Job advertisement for the position of Imam of the Grand Mosque in Istanbul at the time of Sultan Suleyman (Khaleefah) who ruled the Ottomon Empire from 1520-1566:
-To have mastered the languages of Arabic, Latin and Turkish and Persian.
-To have mastered the Qur’an, the Bible and the Torah.
-To be a scholar in Shari’ah and Fiqh.
-To have mastered physics and mathematics up to teaching standard.
-To be a master of chivalry, archery, dueling and the arts of Jihad.
– To be of handsome countenance.
– To have a strong melodious voice.
(Source: Al Ahram newspaper 22nd September 1986, Egypt)
Do any of our senior ulema or imams come close to filling the conditions of this job description?
Filed under: islam, religion, Saudi Arabia, Uncategorized | Tagged: heritage, history, islam, Saudi Arabia | 16 Comments »
