Jalsah Meals Which Are Prepared By The Organizers Of The Jalsah

Sadaqah will earn the giver great amount of reward provided it is given sincerely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’aala and is not from Haraam sources. The reward for Sadaqah is from Allah, which the giver reaps in this world and the Hereafter.
Says Allah in the Qur’aan-eMajeed:

“And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees well all that ye do”
(Al-Qur’aan Juz 2:Verse 110)

Allah Ta’aala’s Messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said:

“Allah the glorious and exalted Says: ‘Spend (in charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.”
(Bukhaari & Muslim)

If the giver stipulates at the time of giving that he would like something in return, it would not be considered a charity. Such a transaction will be subject to the agreement of the person/organisation it is given to. If one does not make such an agreement beforehand, he should not expect remuneration for his charity from the person/organisation, rather he should hope for reward from Allah Ta’aala. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said,

“It is not lawful for a man to make a donation or give a gift and then take it back, except a father regarding what he gives his child (i.e. to use it at the time of need). One who gives a gift and then takes it back is like a dog which eats and vomits when it is full, then returns to its vomit”
(Mirqaat: Vol.5/Pg.2010).

Based on the above details, we now proceed to answer your queries:-

1. It will therefore not be permissible for the person to take from the food he may have contributed towards. It will, however, be permissible for him to partake and eat at the Jalsa from the meals that are served, as the meals in the Jalsa are provided for all who are present for the Jalsa. As is the case when inviting guests to one’s house, the guests may eat as much as they like whilst they are at the host; it will not, however, be permissible for them to take anything away without the explicit permission of the host. Such food will otherwise be impermissible to consume. A Hadeeth states:-

“There will come a time where people will not care regarding what they take; from Halaal or Haraam.”
(Bukhaari Pg.55/Vol.3

There was a man called Abu Shu‘ayb, and he had a slave who was a butcher. He said (to his slave), “Prepare a meal to which I may invite Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam along with four other men.” So, he invited Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam along with four other men. However, another man (a fifth man) followed them. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallamsaid to the host, “You have invited me as one of five guests, but another man (an extra person) has followed us. If you wish you may admit him and if you wish you may refuse.” On that the host said, “But I admit him (i.e. he too, is welcome to partake of the meal).” (Al-Bukhari)

2. Any food that is leftover will be used as the host/organisation decides and cannot be taken by the guests based on the assumption that they have contributed. The organisation will most likely have decided what is to be done with the leftover food. If, for example, the organisation has decided that the leftover food will be given to the students then they may do so. It would hence be wise for an organisation to make their course of action clear when accepting contributions to avoid any confusion.

3. The cook may not take any of the food for himself, even if he is rendering his services for free. If the cook is being paid by the organisation for his services he will not be paid from the food he cooks, rather the salary will be a separate mutually agreed fee.

4. The definition of “volunteer” and what is understood from the word both indicate that it is rendering a service without charging a fee. Therefore, such a person does not have the right to claim any remuneration before or after the food has been served, unless clarified otherwise (with a stipulated salary/remuneration), in which case he will not be a volunteer but an employee.

6. The answer to this has been included in answer #3 above.‏