Shar‘i Ruling on Taking Wages for Teaching Qur’an, Leading Salah, and Delivering Sermons
Source: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, p. 480
❖ Question:
In religious matters—such as teaching the Qur’an, leading prayers, delivering sermons, or attending gatherings for speeches—what is the ruling on receiving wages? Is it permissible according to authentic hadith or not?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
✿ Qur’an and Preaching Only
- Simply reciting the Qur’an or preaching Islam and taking wages for it is not permissible.
- Allah says in the Qur’an:
﴿قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا﴾ (Ash-Shūrā: 23)
"Say: I do not ask you for any reward upon this (Qur’an)."
✿ Teaching the Qur’an and Islamic Sciences
- Teaching the Qur’an, imparting its knowledge, and formal instruction fall under labor and effort.
- For this, taking wages is permissible.
Evidence from Hadith:
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, it is narrated that the Companions (RA) recited Surah al-Fātiḥah as ruqyah for a man bitten by a snake. When he was cured, they accepted sheep in return.
The Prophet ﷺ approved and said:
“The most deserving thing you can take a wage for is the Book of Allah.”
✿ Leading Prayer (Imāmah) and Delivering Sermons (Khuṭbah)
- If a person is poor and leaves his trade or livelihood to serve the community in imāmah and khuṭbah, then giving him wages is permissible.
- This payment is not the price of da‘wah, but compensation for his time and effort spent in service, which otherwise would have been spent earning his livelihood.
✿ Attending Gatherings and Lectures
- If a scholar is invited to a distant place, it is obligatory for the organizers to cover his travel and related expenses.
- However, fixing a fee for da‘wah or preaching is not permissible.
- If attendees or organizers voluntarily present a gift without demand, it is permissible to accept.
Summary
① Taking wages for mere preaching or recitation of the Qur’an → not allowed.
② Teaching the Qur’an, imāmah, khuṭbah, and Islamic instruction → permissible.
③ Travel expenses for distant gatherings → must be covered by organizers.
④ Fixed wages for da‘wah → impermissible, but voluntary gifts are allowed.
