Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabani Hafizahullah
Is it permissible to receive compensation for teaching the Qur'an, delivering the Friday sermon, leading prayer, etc.?
Answer:
There is no objection to receiving compensation for teaching the Qur'an, delivering the Friday sermon, leading the prayer, and similar activities, as there is no explicit prohibition in the Qur'an and Sunnah regarding this matter. In fact, there are valid proofs that support its permissibility.
One such proof is the narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA). He said:
"A group of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) passed by a village, but the villagers did not offer them hospitality when they requested it. Suddenly, their leader was bitten by a venomous creature. The villagers came to the Companions and asked, 'Is there anyone who can perform a healing recitation?' One of the Companions agreed to perform the recitation for a fee. The villagers promised him a herd of sheep in return. The Companion recited Surah Al-Fatiha over the leader, and he was completely cured. When the Companion returned with the sheep, the other companions expressed their disapproval, saying, 'You have taken payment for reciting the Book of Allah.' They then went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, he has taken payment for reciting Allah's Book.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
«قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن أحق ما أخذتم عليه أجرا كتاب الله»
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'The most rightful thing for which you may take payment is the Book of Allah.' (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Medicine, Hadith 5737)
This authentic hadith from Sahih Bukhari proves that it is permissible to receive payment for the Qur'an. This includes teaching the Qur'an, leading prayers, and delivering the Friday sermon, as the words of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) are general and encompass all these activities. If receiving payment for the Qur'an were impermissible, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would not have made such a statement.
Another evidence is the requirement of the dowry (Mahr) in marriage, where the Prophet (PBUH) himself made the Qur'an the dowry for a man’s marriage. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
«اذْهَبْ فَقَدْ أَنْكَحْتُكَهَا بِمَا مَعَكَمِنَ الْقُرْآنِ»
"Go, for I have married her to you with what you have of the Qur'an." (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Hadith 5149)
This shows that the Prophet (PBUH) himself permitted payment for the Qur'an in the form of a dowry. If it were impermissible to receive compensation for the Qur'an, the Prophet (PBUH) would not have allowed the Qur'an to be used as a dowry.
Imam Malik (RA) commented on this hadith, stating:
"From this, it is established that it is permissible to receive compensation for teaching the Qur'an."
Therefore, it is clear that receiving payment for teaching the Qur'an is permissible. (And Allah knows best.)
Receiving Payment for Teaching the Qur'an
Question:Is it permissible to receive compensation for teaching the Qur'an, delivering the Friday sermon, leading prayer, etc.?
Answer:
There is no objection to receiving compensation for teaching the Qur'an, delivering the Friday sermon, leading the prayer, and similar activities, as there is no explicit prohibition in the Qur'an and Sunnah regarding this matter. In fact, there are valid proofs that support its permissibility.
One such proof is the narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA). He said:
"A group of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) passed by a village, but the villagers did not offer them hospitality when they requested it. Suddenly, their leader was bitten by a venomous creature. The villagers came to the Companions and asked, 'Is there anyone who can perform a healing recitation?' One of the Companions agreed to perform the recitation for a fee. The villagers promised him a herd of sheep in return. The Companion recited Surah Al-Fatiha over the leader, and he was completely cured. When the Companion returned with the sheep, the other companions expressed their disapproval, saying, 'You have taken payment for reciting the Book of Allah.' They then went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, he has taken payment for reciting Allah's Book.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
«قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن أحق ما أخذتم عليه أجرا كتاب الله»
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'The most rightful thing for which you may take payment is the Book of Allah.' (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Medicine, Hadith 5737)
This authentic hadith from Sahih Bukhari proves that it is permissible to receive payment for the Qur'an. This includes teaching the Qur'an, leading prayers, and delivering the Friday sermon, as the words of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) are general and encompass all these activities. If receiving payment for the Qur'an were impermissible, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would not have made such a statement.
Another evidence is the requirement of the dowry (Mahr) in marriage, where the Prophet (PBUH) himself made the Qur'an the dowry for a man’s marriage. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
«اذْهَبْ فَقَدْ أَنْكَحْتُكَهَا بِمَا مَعَكَمِنَ الْقُرْآنِ»
"Go, for I have married her to you with what you have of the Qur'an." (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Hadith 5149)
This shows that the Prophet (PBUH) himself permitted payment for the Qur'an in the form of a dowry. If it were impermissible to receive compensation for the Qur'an, the Prophet (PBUH) would not have allowed the Qur'an to be used as a dowry.
Imam Malik (RA) commented on this hadith, stating:
"From this, it is established that it is permissible to receive compensation for teaching the Qur'an."
Therefore, it is clear that receiving payment for teaching the Qur'an is permissible. (And Allah knows best.)