Ruling on Offering Jumuʿah Prayer Behind an Imam Participating in a Boli-based Committee
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Volume 1, Page 862
❖ Question:
What do the scholars say regarding a person who delivers the khuṭbah and leads the Jumuʿah prayer, but also engages in trade? In the market where he works, there is a “Boli-based Committee” (auction-style savings pool). Every month, members bid for the pooled amount, and the resulting profit is distributed among all committee members.
This Imam deposits money with the committee’s treasurer, but he does not take any profit, considering it impermissible and unlawful. Instead, he only takes back the exact amount he contributed.
So, is it permissible to offer Jumuʿah prayer behind such an Imam?
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
If the question and scenario have been presented accurately, then it must be stated that this form of “Boli Committee” clearly falls under the ruling of ribā (usury).It is completely ḥarām (forbidden), invalid, and impermissible in Islamic law.
It is necessary to avoid and refrain from such transactions.
However, there is an exception:
If someone deposits money with the treasurer purely with the intention of safekeeping or saving,
and does not take any share from the extra amount gained through bidding (i.e., “profit”),
and considers such excess to be ḥarām,
and when their turn comes, they only take back their original contributed amount,
— then this is permissible.
It is similar to someone keeping money in a non-interest-bearing (current) account in a conventional bank solely for the purpose of safeguarding their funds — no interest is taken, hence the act is permissible and allowable.
Conclusion:
■ It is completely valid and permissible to pray Jumuʿah behind such an Imām,
since his participation in the committee is strictly limited to saving, and he does not seek or accept any interest-based profit.
■ Also, referring to the money obtained through “bidding” as profit is incorrect —
it is actually a form of ribā (usury) and should be treated as such.
This is what I understand. And Allah knows best what is correct.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
