Offer Salah behind an Imam paid by the government

Q: I have built a Masjid (mosque) in my area as there were no Masjids there. Then, I intended to apply for the position of Imam of this Masjid. I have already sent my application. (Part No. 7; Page No. 418) They have accepted it in the Ministry of Hajj and Endowments at Bibishah. I thought about this behavior and believed that my application for the position of Imam may deprive me of the reward of building the Masjid. Moreover, I had intended to apply for that position before the construction of the Masjid. This is all that comes to my mind in this regard. I would like to know if my application for the position of Imam in this Masjid deprives me of the reward or not? Especially that no one has applied for this position except me.

A: You are permitted to apply for the position of Imam in the Masjid you have built if you are qualified for that. You are also permitted to receive a salary for that position from Bayt-ul-Mal (Muslim treasury). Doing so will not decrease or deprive you of the reward.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.