BENEFIT 374: Public vs. Private Request

Question: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Some have asked: What is the difference between a general request and a private request? Sheikh Salman Al-Imad hafidahullāh responds: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته May Allāh protect and preserve you, dear brother. What this questioner is asking about—the distinction between what they have termed a general request and a private request—returns to the fundamental issue of requesting itself. The essence of the issue is that it is referred to as a request (mas’alah). However, when does it become intercession (shafa’ah)? A request is asking the people, whether for oneself or for another. Intercession, on the other hand, is when one intercedes to whom they perceive as good-doers. What the questioner has termed a "private request" is, in fact, intercession, and its basis is found in the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. When a poor companion would come to him, he would stand among those he knew from his companions and say, "Who will host the guest of the Messenger of Allāh?" He would intercede on behalf of the needy individual with a specific companion, speaking in the presence of his close companions without broadening the appeal. This is the understanding the Companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) on the matter. We take pride in and adhere to the methodology of the righteous predecessors, and by the grace of Allāh, we continue upon their path. This is what the salaf left us upon: Whoever intercedes with a good intercession will have a share of it, and whoever intercedes with an evil intercession will have a portion of its burden. There is a clear distinction between intercession and a request. What our questioner has referred to as a "private request" is, in reality, intercession. It means that you intercede by approaching a person whose integrity and religious commitment you trust, someone who will not exploit your request, someone from Ahlus-Sunnah, a person of goodness. This is because such an individual will not seek to profit under the guise of Da'wah. The difference is clear. Ahlus-Sunnah did not prohibit seeking assistance outright. The reason why scholars have authored treatises on the matter, such as Sheikh Muqbil (may Allāh have mercy on him) in his book ذم المسألة, is that many individuals who were unqualified to handle such matters became involved—people who exploited the Da'wah for personal gain, who dishonoured the integrity of the Da'wah, who introduced deception, fraud, and the unlawful consumption of people's wealth into the Da'wah. This led to the neglect of religious knowledge and the weakening of Da'wah. It also opened the door to serious concerns. For this reason, scholars have warned against this practice due to the harmful consequences it entails. Sheikh Muqbil used to say: "We do not prohibit orphan sponsorship, well-digging, or assisting young people in marriage. What we prohibit is begging. We prohibit profiting under the guise of the Da'wah. We prohibit deception and fraud." He would list some of the problems associated with such practices: "We prohibit lying, we prohibit photography, we prohibit placing money in interest-based banks," and other such matters. To summarise this issue and answer the question: If a request for assistance is free from religious prohibitions, then it falls under the category of good intercession. The best way to regulate this matter is to limit its scope, which is what the questioner has referred to as a "private request." This is the most effective way to manage this issue properly. For instance, you approach someone you know personally, or you communicate directly with me because you know me, and I present my request to you, and so on with others whom you trust. However, if a person publicises a fundraising link and provides a bank account where funds are deposited, this opens the door to numerous potential problems. Donors may include individuals who are not even Muslim, let alone adherents of Ahlus-Sunnah.