Question: We have some Hizbees who, if they want to build a masjid, announce this matter on WhatsApp and elsewhere. So, what is the ruling on this action?

Sheikh Abu Bilal hafidahullah: This is wrong. I don't advise with this. This is not appropriate and does not reflect what you all know to be from the Salafi Da‘wah. Making announcements saying "we want this", "we need this", "such and such masjid requires such and such". This (public announcements) is not our way of Da'wah. We neither know [of this approach] nor do we allow anyone to undertake this in our name. We do not permit anyone to announce on WhatsApp or elsewhere that Masjid Anwar (Sheikh Abu Bilal's masjid in Haami) needs this and needs that. This is not from our Da'wah, and we do not desire this. This is from the methods of those whom you are aware of (Hizbees). It was recently circulated that Masjid Anwar needs a water coolant. We did not speak to anyone about this, not consciously nor in our sleep. By Allah, we did not speak to anyone consciously nor in our sleep; that we need a water coolant. What is this?! This is not our Da'wah. We do not call to this, not from before nor after. And that "a hundred and thirty students will drink from it. They will drink this much, and you will receive this much reward." O people, this is not appropriate. No one should spread anything about our centre without permission. No one should spread anything about our centre without my permission. This affair, "We need, we need" is a closed door. Question: So what is the ruling on this action? Is this considered a sign of Hizbiyyah? Sheikh: Yes, this is their way. They circulate this widely. "We want this, and we need this." The door of intercession is a religious matter, O brothers. Let's not conflate between this and that. Intercession is a matter of religion, and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, interceded, but not in this way. Rather, in situations where a person needs intercession, intercede. But in this manner of widespread dissemination, we are not aware of this from our scholars nor anyone else among the people of Sunnah who does this. Rather, they consider this among the signs of the Hizbees, and they consider this begging, like what is being done whereby they spread it on WhatsApp; "We want this, and we need this. Donate this...We have a masjid called Birr Al-Waalidayn, contribute this much. Each person should contribute what they have." Intercede with your brother. There is nothing wrong with this; it's a desirable form of intercession with relation to masjids, without the need to circulate it on WhatsApp that we have masjid birr al-walidayn. Nowadays, there are many masjids called birr al-waalidayn with shares being offered like this and like that, and it's widely announced. And many people exploit these things for their own interests. Question: How do we amass funds if we want to build? Sheikh: Intercede with the people of good if the country needs a masjid, intercede with the people of the Town. It may be a duty upon you to intercede for them; if you are someone whose intercession is listened to, then intercede. You may need to intercede because this is one of the most important things. It's one of the necessary things that the people of the country need if they don't have a masjid, or if the masjid they have is not sufficient for the people, and so they need a masjid in another part of the village. Intercede for them, holding your head high, without writing such things or spreading such things in your name or in someone else's name. Communicate with people of goodness and intercede for them; in those things that people deserve to be interceded for. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Intercede, and you will be rewarded. And Allah decrees upon the tongue of His Prophet what He wants." Allah said: "Whoever intercedes with a good intercession will have a share of it. And whoever intercedes with a bad intercession will have a share of it." Allah encourages intercession, but not in these methods. Source: https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/380