Question:
Slms
Shaykh, My masjid trustees offered me 5k for taraweeh. Is this money halal?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
Brother in Islam,
Allah Taala says:
{مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الْآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِي حَرْثِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ } [الشورى: 20]
Translation:
Whoever intends (to have) the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase in his harvest; and whoever intends (to have) the harvest of the world (only), We will give him thereof, while in the Hereafter he will have no share.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
بشر هذه الأمة بالسناء، والرفعة، والنصر، والتمكين في الأرض، فمن عمل منهم عمل الآخرة للدنيا، لم يكن له في الآخرة نصيب
Translation:
Give glad tiding to this nation of radiance, eminence, victory and the establishment in earth. So whoever of them performs the deeds of the Hereafter for this worldly life, he will not have a reward in the Hereafter. [1]
A Hafiz should lead the taraweeh salah for the sole pleasure of Allah Taala. He should not have any ambition at the end of the month he will receive money or any other gift for leading taraweeh.
If a Hafiz leads taraweeh without the intention of receiving any gifts/money, and it so happens that the Masjid committee or the people of the community decide to give him something, then it will be permissible for him to accept the gift. However, this is only when he unexpectedly receives a gift, and it has not become a trend in the community.[2]
Important Note: When we are involved in any khidmat of Deen, we should consider it as a gift from Allah Taala.[3]
However, people of community should think that the Hafiz who is leading taraweeh is doing a favour and due to his effort the Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ becomes alive in the masjid.
In this manner Ulama and Huffaz will maintain humbleness and Allah Taala will keep their status in the eyes of people and the congregation will be saved from the sin of disrespect of Ulama and Huffaz.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Uthman ad-Dagestani
Student Darul Iftaa
Makhachkala, Russia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.