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The imam and the muezzin, is it permissible for them to take a salary?
For this work, first, it is better
not to call it a salary, but rather a reward or compensation.
This is better than a salary, and if it is an official job, meaning he works in it, then this is like the judge.
Meaning the judge, the teacher, the imam, and the muezzin.
And the one who washes the dead, all of them, and the caliph, the ruler, the leader of the Muslims.
All of these people leave their jobs and businesses so they can benefit others.
People, for example, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, when he first became the khalifa.
For the Muslims, he went out for his trade.
Umar said to him, and the mother, he said, and my children, my sons.
Should we give you something so you can dedicate yourself to ruling the Muslims? He said: If that's the case, then yes.
Likewise, the judge also has a wife, children, a mother, and a father.
Who will provide for them? So it is said to him: Dedicate yourself to judging, and we will take care of you.
This applies also to the imam, the muezzin, the one who washes the deceased, the teacher, and those whom people need.
And their work is religious, and at the same time, what else?
Meaning, from worldly matters, so here it is fine to give this salary.
But he should not make this salary the reason, like saying: If you don't give me money, I won't call the adhan.
Or I won't lead the people in prayer, for example, and there is no one else to lead except him, and no one else to call the adhan except him.
Or he does not come to the mosque using the excuse of a holiday, or being a mu'adhin, or that they did not give him a salary, or something like that.
But if it is as a form of compensation, then there is no problem, insha'Allah the Exalted.