What is the role of Imams in Islam?
Imams are simply people who lead the prayer at the time of prayer. When you have a group of Muslims and it is time to pray, it is considered best that the person who knows the most Quran off by heart and has the most knowledge of Islam should lead the prayer. This is to ensure that all brothers and sisters can pray at the same time in the worship of Allah and get more reward for being in congregation. In modern times there is a permanent Imam at all Mosques and he leads all the daily prayers at that mosque. Another duty of the Imam is to teach people more about Islam; for example, during the Friday prayers he gives a sermon, usually about a particular issue affecting Muslim people that week. In the old days, it just used to be whoever was best for the role at that particular time for prayer.
