You are on page 1of 13

Removing the smokescreen of Asking the People for their Money under the disguise masjid' 'of paying

the expences of the masjid'

asComplied by: Abu Fajr Abdul Fataah as-Somaalee

Is it permissible to ask the people for their money for reasons other than a critical/vital daroorah, a critical/vital need?
Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Aadam al-Ethyuubi, may Allah preserve him, quoted the statement below of al-Imaam an-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, where he said: ... in it is the prohibition of asking, the scholars have come to an consensus upon the prohibition of it for other than a daroorah (a critical/vital need)... Sharhu Sunnan An-Nisaai (225/23), print: Daar Aal Baruum. Ash-Shaykh al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: ... however asking is of two types asking privately and asking publicly; asking publicly is that which some people ask by, standing in the masaajid in front of the people or in public areas to speak (ask)... the first one should not be labeled permissible except for a daroorah due to the (there)... fact that he is disgracing himself in front of all the people (there) Sharhu Bulooghil Maraam (45/3), print: al-Islaamiyyah. Also he, may Allah have mercy upon him, has a similar statement regarding the impermissibility of asking the people their money except for a daroorah, as found in his Sharh of Saheeh Muslim (590/3) print: al-Islaamiyyah, Sharh of Riyaadhis Saaliheen, page 27, print: Daarul Baseerah and his Tafseer of Suratul Baqarah, (371/3) print: Ibnul; Jawzee. Ash-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, said: however it becomes permissible to ask if one is in a state of a daroorah (so long as he asks that which) is in accordance to the amount one requires in removing his daroorah Sharh of Bulooghil Maraam (218/6) of the Saudi print. Also al-Imaam bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned that it is not permissible to ask the people for their money except in a case of a daroorah , as found in his Majmooul Fataawaa (320/14), print: Daarul Isdaar.

The definition of a Daroorah


The definition of a Daroorah from the book The Reality of the Legislated Daroorah : Is a critical/dire need which one removes himself from it by committing a prohibited act. Page 25-26, print Daarul Minhaaj.

Ash-Shaykh Yahya al-Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, was asked on the definition of a daroorah. Answered with the following : daroorah is that which has been defined by the legislation of Islaam. The scholars past & present have mentioned that it is that which causes damage to that cannot oneself or to ones wealth of that which he cannot bear .Some people have expanded the border lines of daroorah (of more than it is), so they made the issue of (shaving) the beard, watching programs of satellite dishes, wearing pantaloon (tight trousers), studying in freemixied schooling, hizbiyyah and elections to be a daroorah while it is not so rather it is unlawful acts not a daroorah. Al-Kanzuth Thameen, (131/5). Also on the date: 14th of May of the year 2011, I asked ash-Shaykh Zayd al-Wasaabi, may Allah preserve him, on the definition of daroorah? A: A daroorah is that which one can not bear or have any capability for. Also in the book Dictinary of Islamic legal terminology which the author of it translated the word daroorah to mean: A necessity, compulsion For more info on the meaning of the word daroorah refer back to the Tafseer of Shaykhil Uthaymeen on Suratul Baqarah, (258/2).

Is it a Daroorah to ask the people for their money to pay the expenses of the Masjid id? Masjid?
Ash-Shaykh Rabee, may Allah preserve him, said: And it is NOT a Daroorah to approach the people asking them in the name of the da'wah; the that. salaf never did that. - From the tape "Questions from the youth of Aden regarding the Fitnah of Abil Hassan". Also on the date: 14th of May of the year 2011, I asked ash-Shaykh Zayd al-Wasaabi, may Allah preserve him, if it is daroorah to ask the people their money for the given reason that the Masjid may closedown? A: No is not a daroorah, rather they should strive to keep the Masjid running according to their ability (without asking) and if not then Allah will replace them( ie; with a new masjid). Also on the date: 14th of May of the year 2011, I asked ash-Shaykh Abaa Amr al-Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, about the statement that ash-Shaykh Muqbil, may Allah have mercy upon him, use to see it to be daroorah to ask the general public for their money if the administration of the Masjid fears closing down? A: No ash-Shaykh Muqbil did not use to see that, I advise you to encourage them to read his book The Blame worthiness of Asking.

Also ash-Shaykh Yahya al-Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, said It is not a condition to have a masjid to give dawah Also I asked ash-Shaykh Saeed bin Daaas who was a student of Shaykh Muqbil for many years, may Allah preserve him, regarding if the following statement was correct" (the speech of Shaykh Muqbil on disgracing the dawah through asking does'nt apply to a situation where the administration of a Masjid fears closing down) "? Shaykh. A: That is a lie upon the Shaykh. Ash-Shaykh Rabees, statement about ash-Shaykh Muqbil: In any case, May Allah have Mercy upon Shaikh Muqbil and I ask Allah to succeed him with good in Yemen and other than Yemen. For verily this person, may Allah have Mercy on him, reminds us of the asceticism of the salaf, their abstinence, their honour and rank, their refusal (to accept money from the people) and their courage in speaking a statement of truth. And the Da'wah salafiyyah was elevated and spread in Yemen and (people) were cured by it and (he) left for them a great goodness. We ask Allah to bless his students and to bring forth from them many like him (Shaikh Muqbil); for verily, by Allah, he was a model in piety, abstinence and refusal of the worldly matters. And he was given insight (by Allah) when he used to refuse money and warned against asking the people And I am reminded that he used to launch a people. to fierce attack on anyone who collected money in his (Shaikh Muqbil's) name. So he used to not him. compromise in this matter, May Allah bless him. AshAsh-Shaykh Muqbil never regarded electricity for a Masjid to be a daroorah , as found in the book Gaaratul Ashritah, page: 489,print: al-Athariyyah. Al-Imaam Ibnul Haaj, one of the great scholars of the madhab of Imaam Maalik, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned that there is no daroorah for having a donation box in the masjid. Al-Madkhal, (207/2) Daarut Turaath. Also we remind the brothers and sisters that ash-Shaykh Muqbil at the beginning of his dawah was not funded by the government nor by merchants however he continued upon patience and abstinence, whereas him and his students use to pray in a basement under a building using candles without any electricity up until the point Allah relieved them from their struggles by having a building as a Masjid, the Noble Shaykh Muqbil knew that giving dawah is not an easy task and that it requires patience. As ash-Shaykh Rabee, may Allah preserve him, said: We advise them (the youth) with calling one another to the truth and calling one another to patience in every difficulty of life. {And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear,

hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, and give glad tidings to the patient ones} (Al Baqarah:155). Baqarah:155) By Allah, verily the salaf did not disseminate this da'wah by way of leniency But
on the contrary, they propagate it by their asceticism, abstinence and turning away (from wealth), may Allah be pleased with them. - From the tape "Questions from the youth of Aden regarding the Fitnah of Abil Hassan"

advised Did the Shuyookh of Damaaj advised the brothers in the West to have private fundraisings fundraisings?
I have asked ash-Shaykh Abu Amr al-Hajooree and ash-Shaykh Zayd al-Wasaabi, may Allah preserve them both, regarding this matter: Their Answer was as follows: We did not advise them to have fundraising publicly nor privately but rather we advised those running the Masaajid to cooperate amongst each other in paying the expenses of the Masjid. The Summary: 1: The scholars have come to an agreement upon the prohibition of asking for other than a daroorah (a critical/dire need), so whoever opposes this then his opinion is absolutely rejected. 2: The definition of a Daroorah is a critical/dire need which one removes himself from it by committing a sin. 3: Expanding the meaning of daroorah (more than what it is has been defined as) is clearly in

opposition to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Messenger, alaihi as-salaatu was-salaam. 4: And it is NOT a Daroorah to approach people asking them in the name of da'wah; the salaf
never did that. 5: Ash-Shaykh Muqbil did not see it to be a daroorah to ask from the people their money if for the given reason that a Masjid may be shutdown. 6: Just because one is not being funded by the Islamic governments does not mean that it is permissible to ask the people for their money. 7: By Allah, verily the salaf did not disseminate this da'wah by way of leniency But on the contrary, they propagate it by their asceticism, abstinence and turning away (from wealth), may Allah be pleased with them. 8: Generally encouraging to give Sadaqah is not haraam and the cooperation of those running the masjid by paying the expenses of the Masjid is also not haraam.

statements Here are Some statements of the Scholars regarding Asking from the people their Wealth
Ash-Shaykh Abu Bakr Abdur-Razaaq bin Saalih an-Nahmee, may Allah preserve him, said: "...The Masaajid were not built for fundraising as the hizbis do today by asking from the people their money and also by placing donation boxes in the Masaajid for fundraising to the extent they have distracted (many of) the people from acts of worship (in the masaajid through their begging)" Also the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, said: "Asking the from people their money is in opposition to the guidance of the prophets and messengers..." Reference: The book "The oppositions of the Ikhwaanil Muslimeen in the Masaajid", page 48, print: U'mar bin Khataab, published in the year: 2007. Ash-Shaykh Abu Amr al-Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, said: "Begging is haraam rather it is from the major sins, so it is from the sins that which is considered to be a cause of failure upon the da'wah rather from the greatest causes of that. Some of the du'ats ,may Allah disgraced not reward them with good, have disgraced the da'wah and gave it a dispicable forth) image (by going back and forth) between this merchant to that man giving sadaqah (saying)" we do not possess , we do not possess , we need , we need!!". Reference: A'waa'iq ad-Da'watis Salafiyyah, page 76 , print: Al-Athariyyah. Ash-Shaykh Muqbil , may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "Performing fundraising is not from the ways of ahlus Sunnah" Reference: Thammul mas'alah page: 39. Ash-Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee , may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned from the traits of Ikwaanul Muslimeeen is that they have: "Enthusiasm to administrate fundraisings then afterwards it is not known where it is going to be spent" Reference: ar-Raddul al-Muhabbar , page 185. Ash-Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee, may Allah preserve him, said: "It is not from the da'wah of the Prophets to ask from the people their money"

Reference: Tape: Jalsah after A'sr in Masjid ar-Rahmaan It has been stated in the madhab of al-Imaam Ahmad, al-Imaam ash-Shaafi'e, al-Imaam Maalik and al-Imaam Abu Haneefah: "It is makrooh (which was understood to the scholars of the past as impermissible) to ask for sadaqah in the Masjid..." Reference al-Fiqh according to the four madhabs (1/283)

Scholars Some of the Statements of the Scholars Regarding Charity Boxes (or Baskets) in the Masaajid of Allah
Al-Imaam Abu Idrees Al-Khawlaani, may Allah have mercy upon him, Said: " It is more beloved Masjid that for me to see the Masjid on fire than seeing within it an act of innovation that has no one to remove it. " Imaam Maalik use to hold the opinion that charity boxes, that which is placed in the masaajid for sadaqah, is haraam and he use to see it from the ways of the people of dunyaa." This statement of the Imaam can be found in the book "Al Hawaadith wa Al-Bidah" page 114 by Imaam At-Turtuushi. Also the Imaam ibn Haaj, may Allah have mercy upon him, said : "Also from the acts of innovations that which they( the people of his time) have innovated in the masaajid (having) charity boxes ( within it)." This statement of the Imaam is found in the book "Al-Madkhal" page 207 volume 2. Shaykul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked did Ahlus Suffah (the poor who were living in the Masjid of the Prophet, alaihi as-salaatu was-salaam), may Allah be pleased with them, use to make their earnings through their hands or through begging using a zanbeel (basket)? No one from the Sahaabah, not ahlus Suffah or other than them would neither take an occupation of asking the people (their money) neither by severly begging nor through a zanbeel (a basket) nor through other than it whereas they would not seek provision except through that Majmooul Fataawaa (11/45-46) The above taken from the book the signs of hizbiyyah page 53-54, sign 53number 6: a donation box. Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadi Al-Waadi'ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "The charity boxes is a way to hizbiyah (partisanship) and a means to it. This statement of the Shaykh is found on the tape "The questions of the tribe Bani Bakr" that was recorded on Thursday night the 18th of Maharram 1421.

The Shaykh also said: "Charity boxes is the beginning of hizbiyah , Charity boxes is the beginning of hizbiyah, Charity boxes is the beginning of hizbiyah." This statement is found on the Tape "The questions of the visitors for the 'Eid Al-Fitr" Futhermore, the Shaykh mentioned: "The people of hizbiyah usually start there dawah with charity boxes, then after that the hizbiyah (the actual appearance of it) slowly comes after that. The aid of Allah is sought! " This statement is found on the tape "The guests from San'aa and Hudaidah." Shaykh Muhammad al-Imaam, may Allah preserve him, was asked regarding the ruling on having donation boxes. So he answered by saying "We do not advise having donation boxes for donation rather abandon financial support rather we advise that it is abandoned for numerous reasons from them 1: Due to the reason that it is an indirect way of asking the wealth of the people, where the prohibition for that has already been mentioned(1). 2: It leads the people to have a low opinion of him( meaning the one asking). 3: Having donation boxes is not from the acts of the Salaf (it is a newly invented matter). 4: Also with in it (donation boxes) is an imitation of the people of desires, those whom get control of the people's wealth by establishing charity organizations. The reference is the book" Ahkaamu T'aamul ma'al Jinn" page 179. Shaykh Yahyaa Al-Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, said "These sadaqah boxes which fill up the dunya were not known until recently in many countries...Were these sadaqah boxes present in the time of the Prophet? No! Ahlus Suffah (the poor from amongst the sahabah) were present and Uthman was rich and wealthy and Abdur Rahman n Aoff was wealthy as well as others from the sahabah. They didn't say we need a sadaqah box for Ahlus Suffah, once in a while you put money in it, gaining money from it, never! Rather some of them were unable to find clothing. Sometimes one would prostrate and his aura (private parts) would be exposed; with that they were patient. Allaah says: "O you who believe be patient with yourselves and have patience with one another". Al 'Imran: 200. Patience is considered a gift from Allaah and 200. a reason for leadership." Also he, may Allah preserve him, said: All All of this is (used) for intimidation (in their statement): "Who are you to refute sadaqah boxes when and so and so approved of it?" We say,he who calls to these sadaqah boxes, they

call to that which our righteous predecessors did not call to, may the Pleasure of Allaah be upon them. The best guidance is the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah. Also he, may Allah preserve him, said: Leave off these sadaqah boxes and remove them. If a guest comes to you all cooperate together and honor him. And if one becomes sick cooperate together and treat him well. And if you are building a masjid cooperate together and you will build it. Taken from: http://aloloom.net/vb/showthread.php?t=4417 Also I have asked Shaykh Abaa Amr al Hajooree, may Allah preserve him, regarding having donation boxes, so he said" It is absolutely impermissible no matter whom from the scholars gives a fatwa, legal boxes) verdict that it (donation boxes) is permissible. He also said" it is clearly asking from the people their wealth, which is not permissible". Ash-Shaykh Sa'd bin Abdurahmaan al-husayn , said in his booklet innovations of the Masaajid: (Many) of The masaajid have followed the (ways) of the churches by placing placing a donation box, it is called in the churches the ritual box " Reference: the article of the Shaykh on the innovations of the Masaajid Also from the Imaams of the past who mentioned that having donations boxes in Masaajid is act of innovation and not an act of Ijtihaad al-Imaam at-Turtuushi in his book " Al Hawaadith wa Al-Bidah " The charity boxes has no origin to the Quraan and Sunnah, rather its originally extracted from the ways of the Christians and this is well known. known. And with Allah is the Success Footnote: _________________________________________________________________
1: Which is the hadeeth by authority of Umar bin Khattaab,may Allah be pleased with him, that prophet, as salaatu was salaam , said" Whoever gives you wealth without you asking for it or indirectly asking for it then take it". Reported by Muslim and al Bukaari As for generally encouraging the people to give sadaqah without telling the people to give you or your Masjid specifically then the Salaf were not against that, rather ash-Shaykh Muqbil, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned in his book" the blame worthiness of begging" a chapter encouraging to give sadaqah, so the Shaykh explained therein that generally encouraging to give sadaqah is one thing and asking specifically for your masjid, or for yourselves is another.

Disgracing the Dawah to build a Masjid


"Thamm al-Mas'alah" (p.5-8) Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi'ee (rahimahullaah) Translated by Abul-'Abbaas Moosa Richardson All praise is for Allaah, the Lord of all that exists. May Allaah raise the rank of our Messenger, and that of his family and companions. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship other than Allaah, who is alone and without partners. And I further testify that Muhammad was His slave and Messenger. To proceed: From the greatest of Allaah's Blessings upon a person is the blessing of wealth. By way of it family ties are maintained, and this is something that causes one to have a long life and financial prosperity, as he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever would like to have his lifespan extended and his provisions increased, then let him maintain family ties." This hadeeth is agreed upon (by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim), from the narration of Anas. AlBukhaaree also collected it from the narration of Aboo Hurayrah. Furthermore, it is due to wealth, if a person spends it correctly and sincerely, that one attains a great reward. Allaah, the Glorified and Exalted, has said: (The example of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allaah is like a grain (of corn) that causes the growth of seven ears, each ear having 100 grains. And Allaah multiplies the reward of whomever He pleases, and Allaah is Sufficient (for all the creation's needs), All-Knowing. Those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allaah, and do not follow up what they have given with reminders of their generosity or (other) harmful actions, their reward is with their Lord , no fear shall overtake them, nor shall they grieve.) And Allaah, the Glorified and Exalted, has said: (Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, secretly and openly, will have their reward with their Lord, no fear shall overtake them, nor shall they grieve.) Using wealth can also win over those who have strayed or rebelled, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam) used to give to people while they hated him (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam), and only a short time later he would become the most beloved of all the creation to them. Such is the case of wealth! And there are two types of people who do not manage it properly: [1]: The first kind are the businessmen who do not take proper care to spend it in the Islamically legislated ways. Perhaps some of them do not even pay zakaat, and others pay zakaat to other than the Islamically legislated recipients, supporting hizbiyyah (bigoted partisanship), that which has divided the Muslims and weakened them. The businessmen doing this do not even realize that they are cooperating with others in affairs of falsehood, and he may be helping to spread Soofiyyah (Sufism) or Tashay-yu '(Shiism), two innovations that have stood as obstacles in the path of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam).

[2]: What is even uglier than this is what a student of knowledge may do. He wastes his time and disgraces the knowledge and the da'wah by going to the land of the Haramayn (Makkah and al-Madeenah), then on to Kuwait, and then Qatar, and on to Abu Dhabi ... What is it with you, yaa Fulaan? He will say, "I have a debt," or, "I want to build a masjid with housing for the imam (while he is the imam), I want a car for the da'wah, and I want to get married. " Oh! Oh! Verily the search for knowledge that leads to begging has no goodness in it! And had the people of knowledge safeguarded it (the knowledge), it would have safeguarded them, And if they had revered it, then they themselves would have become revered; But they disgraced it, so it disgraced (them), and they polluted Its reputation by acts of greed, ending up lowly and debased. And I have never seen anyone more focused on employing thievery tactics to get the people's money than al-Ikhwaan al-Muflisoon ... And I have never seen anyone more focused on employing thievery tactics to get the people's money than al-Ikhwaan al-Muflisoon. They make the people believe that every issue that they are raising money for is the very religion of Islam, and that if money is not raised for it, then disbelief will gain victory over Islam! This is the case with them, issue after issue; every time one issue ends (and the people find that it has had no effect in helping the Religion, instead it may have even disgraced the Religion), they occupy the people with yet another one . Where are the fruits of these demonstrations of yours that you blindly follow the enemies of Islam in? And where are the fruits of the "Conference of Unity and Peace"? And where are the fruits of the taaghoot elections? We say this out of sadness over what is happening to the Religion, and out of anguish over the realities of the affairs being twisted around, not that we are jealous of all the money they have gathered, as they will be questioned about that on the Day of Judgment. And lastly, I advise those who are out of breath from their efforts to raise money: Allaah has already instructed the one who is not able to get married about what he is to do: (And let those who are not able to marry remain chaste until Allaah enriches them from His Favor. ) And in the two Saheehs (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim), on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam) said: "O assembly of young men! Whoever of you is able to marry, then let him get married, as it is better for keeping gazes lowered and chastity protected. And whoever is not able, then upon him is fasting, as it is a kind of restraint (that keeps him from going after his desires). "

Just as I also advise the wealthy to assist him without him having to ask, so that he can dedicate himself fully to knowledge and teaching. And the one who has debts: I advise him to work, so that Allaah takes care of his debts. And similarly, for the sake of building a masjid, it is not permissible for someone to disgrace himself. It is not allowed to disgrace knowledge and the da'wah for the sake of building a masjid. When the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam) wanted to build a masjid, he said: "Give me a price for your property, O Banee an-Najjaar!" Meaning: so that a masjid can be built on it. They replied, "Rather, it is for Allaah and His Messenger." It is possible to build a masjid with clay and bricks for about YR 100,000. [6] And the time you waste begging could be spent constructing the masjid, working in it, and inviting the people to work with their own hands. We are in no need of wealth that disgraces knowledge and the call to Allaah, or wealth that calls to hizbiyyah or turns the masjids into places of begging! And O Allaah! How many great callers to Islam have you seen memorize the verses that encourage charity, going from masjid to masjid, (calling out): (And whatever good (wealth) you put forth for your own selves, then you will find it with Allaah, better and more greatly rewarded.) The poor individual has gone from being a caller to a beggar! And the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa' alaa aalihi wa sallam) spoke the truth when he said: "Every nation has a trial, and the trial of my nation is money." And look at these organizations of yours, those that are not allowed to operate except under certain stipulations: that they work under the Social Services' supervision; that they hold elections in them; that they keep their money in a ribaa-based bank. With all of this, the people of such organizations try to trick the people, saying: "Is building masjids and wells and taking care of orphans haraam?" It is to be said to them: O you tricksters! Who told you that these things are haraam? What is haraam is hizbiyyah, splitting up the Muslims, and wasting your time begging! And making 'umrah in Ramadan has been changed into (a journey of) begging: O assembly of recitors, O salt of the land! What will rectify the salt, once the salt has gone bad?

You might also like