Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
This hadith and others of its kind, in which permission is granted to accept material assistance for the purpose of jihad (fighting), pertain to those sincere yet destitute and impoverished individuals who, due to lack of means and provisions for jihad, are left behind from participating. Their jihad is based on sincerity and piety, solely for the exaltation of Allah’s word. Assisting such people is a source of reward and merit; in fact, those who provide assistance receive a double reward. For example, if government-salaried soldiers fight sincerely for the sake of exalting Allah’s word, they benefit from both reward and war booty. Otherwise, their recompense is according to their intention. The same analogy applies to scholars, teachers, and preachers who are engaged in the dissemination of Islamic sciences. If their intention is pure, then excellent! It is permissible for them to receive salaries and stipends; otherwise, they should be concerned about their outcome.