BENEFIT 353: Didn't Sheikh Ibn Bāz establish a charity organisation?!

Sheikh Abū Bakr Al-Ḥammādi ḥafidhahullāh said: "...As for Sheikh Ibn Bāz, may Allāh have mercy on him, having some involvement with charity organisations, this is unrelated to what we are discussing. Sheikh Ibn Baz, may Allāh have mercy on him, was not a beggar who went from place to place or from one merchant to another collecting money. He was not someone who distributed envelopes among businessmen or demeaned himself before traders and foreign entities, as those involved in charity organisations do. These individuals engage in all of the above, delivering eloquent speeches that move audiences to tears, only to turn to soliciting donations in the name of religion. However, the esteemed scholar Ibn Bāz was nothing like this—may Allāh have mercy on him. He was held in high regard among the people, and merchants knew him well and willingly gave him large sums of money. To ensure proper distribution of the funds he received, he established an institution dedicated to this purpose. His institution was free from Hizbiyyah, and he remained honourable—may Allāh have mercy on him. The situation of Sheikh Ibn Bāz was not like that of others, and citing his example to justify the legitimacy of the charity organisations present today is a misleading argument. There is a vast difference between the two! ... They have misled many people in Yemen, Hijaz, Sudan, Egypt, and numerous other countries, causing division within the Salafi Da’wah and spreading falsehood with Kuwaiti dinars. This is the reality of charity organisations—they serve as a cover for falsehood. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid and be cautious of them. Even if a person were to establish an organisation free from Hizbi affiliation, it would still serve as a platform for begging, which is impermissible. It is not permissible for a Muslim to ask people for their wealth, even if his intention is to do good. He should not lower himself by seeking donations, nor should he expose himself or his Da’wah to humiliation. The Da'wah of the prophets was one of dignity and integrity. 📌 Allāh, the Almighty, said to His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: "Say, I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment. It is not but a reminder for the the ‘Âlamîn (mankind and jinn)." [Al-An’am: 90] And He said: "Say, I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹message˺, but whoever wishes, let them pursue the Way to their Lord.” [Al-Furqan: 57] And He also said: "Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹Quran˺, nor do I pretend to be someone I am not * It is but a reminder for the Âlamîn (mankind and jinn). And you will surely know its truth after a time." [Sad: 86-88) Likewise, Allāh mentioned the words of Prophet Nūh (peace be upon him) to his people: "O my people! I do not ask you for a payment for this ˹message˺. My reward is only from Allāh. And I will never dismiss the believers, for they will surely meet their Lord. But I can see that you are a people acting ignorantly." [Hud: 29] And He said regarding him: "And I do not ask you for any reward for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the worlds." [Ash-Shu’ara: 109] Similarly, Prophet Hūd (peace be upon him) said to his people: "O my people, I do not ask you for any payment for it; my reward is only from the One who created me. Will you not reason?" [Hud: 51] And He also said regarding him: "And I do not ask you for any reward for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the worlds." [Ash-Shu’ara: 127] Allāh the Almighty said about Prophet Ṣālih (peace be upon him): "The people of Thamūd denied the messengers. When their brother Ṣālih said to them: ‘Will you not fear Allāh? Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. So fear Allāh and obey me. And I do not ask you for any reward for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the worlds.’" [Ash-Shu’ara: 141-145]