The ruling on the mu’adhin receiving payment
It is narrated from Uthman bin Abu Al-As that he said:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, made me promise that I would appoint a mu’adhin who does not take payment for his adhan.”
Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith number 209
This hadith indicates that the mu’adhin should not take payment for the adhan. If no one is found who is willing to call the adhan voluntarily, there is no harm if the ruler at the time provides for his livelihood from the Bayt al-Mal. It is narrated from Imam Ahmad that he considered this permissible, and Imam Malik also allowed it because it is a known occupation, and like all other occupations, earning a livelihood from it is permissible.
Reference: Permanent Committee: 20388
