Question
In certain countries it has become common to have fundraising activities taking place in the Masjids for the masjid expenses. Many a time, it is for masjid expansions that the committee wants to carry out.
Typically the fundraising occurs at an occasion where a large number of people will come. It will occur before the event so people will be not be able to leave. An example is that fundraising will occur on the 27th night of Ramadan before the Khatam Dua or between Jumuah Bayan and the Khutbah. In some cases it will occur in between the Taraweeh Salah.
Typically a person will stand up at a time when there is a big congregation e.g. during Taraweeh and fundraise in a manner similar to Tashkeel is done. The person will start off with a large amount e.g. 100,000 dollars and encourage brothers to donate. He will give Fazaail of giving in the path of Allah and encourage brothers to donate. When someone stands up to make a pledge he will say Masha’Allah and Allahu Akbar and make Dua for him.
When he feels that there in no one else who is ready for that amount he will move to a smaller amount. He will continue in this manner until he reaches a very small amount. After which he will stop and the program will continue.
In many cases the whole fundraising will take quite some time e.g. half an hour or more. Sometimes the fundraising will take more than an hour or maybe even an hour and a half or more.
Is this permissible?
Answer
It is permissible to have such a fundraising activity according to the Shari’ah and there is no problem to have it in the Masjid, but the following conditions have to be kept in mind. The fundraising:
1. Should not cause any interruption/interference to those who are performing Salaat.
2. Should not cause any difficulties to anyone, like crossing over the neck of anyone.
3. Should not cause any unnecessary noise.
4. Nobody must be forced to donate, everyone should donate voluntarily.
From your question the following becomes apparent:
The fundraising activities described in your query result in an unnecessary delay between the Khutbah of Jumuah and the Jumuah Salaat, as well as a break in the Taraweeh Salaat without any valid reason. Therefore, it would be advised that such fundraising activities take place at another time, when there won’t be such delays in Salaat.
It would also be preferable that it takes place outside the Masjid if there is no pressing need of the Masjid at the time.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
” ( قوله ويكره التخطي للسؤال الخ) قال في النهر : والمختار أن السائل إن كان لا يمر بين يدي المصلي ولا يتخطى الرقاب ولا يسأل الحافابل لأمر لا بد منه فلا بأس بالسؤال والإعطاء. “
[ حاشية ابن عابدین ۵ / ۹۱ دار السلام ]
سوال: عیدین میں بعد نماز عید یا قبل نماز خاص مسجد میں مسجد ضروریات کے لئے اگر لوگوں سے چندہ کیا جائے تو جائز یا نہیں ؟
جواب: اگر عیدین کی نماز مسجد جماعت میں ہو اور بعد نماز کے امام عید نمازیوں کو مسجد یا اور کسی دینی ضرورت کے لئے چندہ کی ترغیب دے اور لوگ خود جا کر امام کو یا کسی دیگر شخص کو جو چندہ کے لئے متعین کیا گیا ہو ، اپنا اپنا چندہ دے دیں تو اس میں کوئی قباحت نہیں اور نماز سے قبل بھی امام کی ترغیب پر دینا جائز ہے، لیکن صفوف کے درمیان لوگوں کا گھوم کر مانگنا، اگر ایذائی خطی و مرور بین یدی المصلی سے خالی ہو تو وہ بھی جائز ہے ، بشر طیکہ شور و شغب بھی نہ ہو .
[ كفاية المفتي ١٠ / ٣٩٤ دار الافتاء جامعة فاروقية ]
جبر اچندہ وصول کرنا نا جائز ہے جو اپنی خوشی سے دے اس سے لے لیا جائے جو نہ دے اس پر جبر کرنا گنہ ہے اور ایسے مال کا مسجد میں لگانا بھی نا جائز ہے .
[ فتاوی محمودیة ۲۴۹/۲۲ دار الاشاعت ]
مسجد میں اس طرح چندہ کرنا اگر مصلی کے سامنے گذرنانہ ہو اور شق صفوف نہ ہو اور نمازی کیلئے ایذاء کا باعث نہ ہو تو جائز ہے ورنہ نا جائز ہے –
[ فتاوی قاسمیة ١٨ / ۳۹٠ اشرفي ]