Establishing a Masjid | Question posed to Sheikh Muhammad Ba Jammāl ḥafidahullāh

Question: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Honourable Sheikh, we pray that you are in good health, well-being, and strong faith. We have some important questions and seek your guidance and advice. As you know, Ahlus-Sunnah are in great need, with no aid but Allāh. In London, the cost of purchasing a building and establishing a masjid is extremely high. We are currently raising funds to buy a property to convert into a masjid, by Allāh’s will. So far, we have collected approximately £73,000, with a goal of reaching £1 million. Here are our questions: 1. We primarily collect donations from close brothers and relatives without publicly asking for contributions. To ensure transparency, we recently published a financial report detailing the collected amounts, including the bank account details, without explicitly requesting donations. Would sharing these details (without a direct appeal) be considered begging? 2. We started selling office supplies to support the project. Would including the masjid’s bank details in the sales advertisement (without explicitly requesting donations) be considered begging? 3. We have a Telegram channel with around 1,700 members. Is it permissible to publicly request a Qarḍh Hasan (interest-free loan) through this channel, or would that also be considered begging? 4. There was some differing regarding the above points so we seek your advice on appropriate methods for fundraising to establish the masjid in accordance with Shari'ah. May Allāh reward you for your guidance and counsel. Answer: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته My advice is to leave off these methods, for if they are not explicitly leading to the issue at hand (i.e. Begging), they serve as a gateway to it. As Allāh says: "O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Shayṭān." [Qur'an 24:21] "And whoever leaves something for the sake of Allāh, He will replace it with something better." (hadith) "And whoever seeks chastity, Allāh will grant him chastity." (hadith) "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt, for truth brings peace of mind, while falsehood brings doubt." (hadith) You are not obligated to establish a masjid through this particular approach and method. What is the benefit of establishing it if it leads to discord among brothers, division among the people, and the very outcome you sought to avoid? Your brotherhood, based on adherence to the Sunnah and whatever means are available to you, is your greatest asset—so safeguard it with patience and sincerity. Be mindful that preventing harm takes precedence over bringing benefit. Life is short, and death is near. Let none of us open a door of tribulation upon himself and his brothers, bearing its burden and harm, while possibly not even achieving his intended goal. If you seek assistance, do so by directly reaching out to those you know, without groups and collectives. May Allāh protect you. This is more blessed, beneficial, and sound. As Allāh says: "And whoever fears Allāh, He will make a way out for him and provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah—He is sufficient for him." [65:2-3] "Indeed, Allāh does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste." (18:30) Allāh knows best, and in Him lies all success. Written by your brother, Muhammad Ba-jammāl On the night of Tuesday, 14th of Rajab, 1446 AH Masjid Al-Furqan – Khula’ Rashid – Hadhramaut