Asalamulaykum mufti saheb is it permissible for a hafiz saheb to take money for doing taraweeh?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

A hafiz should lead the taraweeh prayers for the sole pleasure of Allah (SWA). He should not have any greed inside him that at the end of the month he will receive money or any other gift.

Allahmah Ibn Abideen Shami (RA) has written, “It is not permissible to read Quran for any worldly benefits. The taker and giver will both be sinful.”        

(Raddul Muhtar P534 V.2)

However, if the hafiz did not have any greed in his heart that he will receive some money for the taraweeh and nor it is an ‘urf’ (something which is common) to give money for taraweeh, and the committee members gave him money or some sort of a gift then this will be permissible.

(Fatawa Rahimiyah P241 V.4)

Mufti Abdur Rahman Lajpuree (RA), Mufti Kifayatullah (RA) have said that if a hafiz along with leading taraweeh salah was also given the responsibility to lead 1 or 2 farz prayers and ‘x’ amount of money was given to him, then there is space for permissibility as one is allowed to take money for leading prayers (i.e. Imamat).

(Fatwa Rahimiyah P.443 V.4 & Kifayatul Mufti P.350 V.3)

Similarily, if the hafiz is asked to deliver a talk or do tafseer along with his responsibility to lead the taraweeh prayers and money is given to him, then this will also be permissible as one is allowed to take money for delivering talks and tafseer.

(Ahsanul Fatawa P.300 V.7)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.