BENEFIT: Funding the Masjid: Permissible Means vs. Begging

Question: May Allah reward you with goodness. In a masjid, after the obligatory prayer, a basket or cup is passed around and people put money into it to fund the masjid. When we advise the masjid administrators, they say: “We cannot support the masjid except in this way.” What is the ruling on this? And if this is not allowed, how should the masjid’s expenses be covered? Sheikh Yusuf Al-Jazairi: This is one of their well-known methods of begging. Whenever one method does not work, they invent another. And Allah is the One whose help is sought. Begging is forbidden, and the proofs for this are many. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says regarding His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “He does not ask you for your wealth. If he were to ask you for it and press you, you would become stingy and your resentment would appear.” This is the way of the prophets and their followers. Allah mentioned this in several Ayaat, such as His saying: “I do not ask you for any reward for it. My reward is only with the Lord of the worlds.” As for their justification mentioned in the question, it is not correct. The end does not justify the means. Even if the goal is good in the Shariah, it must be reached through permissible means. Allah says: “And this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow other paths lest they separate you from His path.” Many masjids were built during the time of the Salaf and up until today without resorting to begging or other forbidden methods. They were established through cooperation and mutual support among the people. Allah says: “Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety.” Allah did not obligate us to build masjids or call to Him through forbidden means. If it becomes possible through lawful means, then it should be done; otherwise: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” Because of the frequent begging, constant requests, and various methods used to extract money from people, many people have lost trust in those who run some masjids. 📌 Imam Muqbil ibn Hadi Al-Wadi‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote a valuable treatise on this subject titled “Condemning Begging (Dhamm Al-Mas’alah)”. It is beneficial to read it due to its importance and to distribute it among those responsible for masjids, as it contains sufficient evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. And Allah is the One who grants success. Source: https://t.me/youssefalgazairi/270 ---- Related benefit ⤵️ https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1339