Question: What is the ruling on collecting funds in masjids? For reasons such as building masjids and sometimes for the needs of the masjid?

Sheikh Abdulhameed Az-Zu'kari hafidahullah: Directing [people] to good is something permissible; it's acceptable to direct those who one sees to be a good-doer towards performing good. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "The one who directs to good will have the reward of the one who acts upon it." However, using masjids for begging and similar purposes is something scholars disapprove of. It's only common with the people of Hizbiyyah and charity organisations, who exploit the masjid's name and amass wealth in the masjid's name. When a man in need came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, he saw that he was in need so he said, "Give charity to him," meaning directing [people] to good. As for the methods take on by these charity organisations and Hizbees, such as passing through each worshipper individually in the rows with a bag, or placing collection boxes in masjids...[this is incorrect]. Our scholar, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked by our brothers from Yaafi', Bani Bakr tribe, about the ruling on the collection box they established to collect funds for exceptional circumstances such as illness, marriage, calamity, or the like. He forbade that and informed them that the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were wealthier and more eager to do good, yet they didn't engage in such practices. And our Sheikh Muqbil, may Allah have mercy on him, authored a book (ذم المسألة) warning against such practices, which became widespread from those mentioned earlier. Furthermore, associating Da'wah with asking people for their money is something which pushes people away. Allah says, {وَلَا یَسۡـَٔلۡكُمۡ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لَكُمۡ} "He does not ask you your wealth." [Surah Muḥammad: 36] { إِن یَسۡـَٔلۡكُمُوهَا فَیُحۡفِكُمۡ تَبۡخَلُوا۟ وَیُخۡرِجۡ أَضۡغَـٰنَكُمۡ } "If He were to do so and pressure you, you would withhold and He would bring out your resentment." [Surah Muḥammad: 37] {یَـٰقَوۡمِ لَاۤ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ أَجۡرًا} "O my people! I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹message˺." [Surah Hūd: 51] { وَیَـٰقَوۡمِ لَاۤ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ مَالًا} "O my people! I do not ask you for a payment for this ˹message˺." [Surah Hūd: 29] { قُلۡ مَاۤ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ مِنۡ أَجۡرࣲ وَمَاۤ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَكَلِّفِینَ } "Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹Quran˺, nor do I pretend to be someone I am not." [Surah Ṣād: 86] Source: https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/383