Why We Avoid Public Fundraising

Our aim is to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf aṣ-Ṣāliḥ and to preserve the dignity and sincerity of the daʿwah. We do not consider it appropriate to make public fundraising a regular feature of our daʿwah work. Rather, we prefer that the daʿwah and the needs of the masjid be supported through personal contributions, private benefactors and voluntary donations from those who genuinely wish to contribute. This does not mean that we consider encouraging people to support a masjid or a beneficial Islamic project to be impermissible. Shaykh ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz ibn Bāz rahimahullah, for example, explained that encouraging people to contribute towards building a masjid, purchasing beneficial books or establishing a school can be considered a form of shafāʿah ḥasanah—a good intercession. However, there is a difference between informing people of a genuine need and encouraging voluntary charity and turning fundraising into a persistent practice involving repeated appeals, emotional pressure or putting people in an uncomfortable position. Shaykh Ibn Bāz rahimahullah was asked about taking a donation box around the rows of worshippers before the prayer, particularly on Friday. He explained that this can cause embarrassment and inconvenience to people and said that leaving such a practice is better. He mentioned that it is sufficient to inform people that the masjid is in need and allow whoever wishes to contribute to do so voluntarily. For this reason, our approach is: - No regular public fundraising campaigns as a standard feature of our daʿwah. - No emotional or high-pressure appeals designed to compel people to donate. - No solicitation that places worshippers or community members under pressure or embarrassment. - Preference for private and voluntary contributions from those who wish to support the masjid. - Transparency regarding the purpose of any donation and the proper use of entrusted funds. We also strive to maintain sincerity in the work of daʿwah. The daʿwah is for Allah alone, and financial support should be treated as a means of facilitating beneficial work—not as the purpose of the work itself. What About Genuine Needs? When there is a genuine and pressing need—such as essential masjid expenses, necessary building work or emergency relief—it is permissible to inform people of that need and encourage those who are able to assist. Our preference, however, is that such appeals remain straightforward, dignified, transparent and voluntary, without exaggeration or emotional pressure. We ask Allah to make the daʿwah sincerely for His Face, to provide for His House through lawful and blessed means, and to make every contribution a source of reward for the one who gives it. ----------------------- Masjid As-Sahabah 295-297 Haggerston Rd London E8 4EN 🌐 masjidsahabah.org