Can a Person Leading. the Taraaweeh salaah accept Gifts Given to them in Happiness?

Q: Salaah-452: By the grace of Allaah, I have been leading the Taraaweeh salaah in Himmatnagar for the past seven years and have never requested any payment. The people have also been very pleased and this year they wish to offer me some gifts in appreciation. Can I accept the gifts and give it to the poor or can I use them for myself? I also lead the Zuhr salaah every day.

Answer: Since you have not received anything for the past seven years and this is the first time. it appears that they really are gifts and not remuneration. You may therefore accept them. If it had been your first time leading the salaah there, the gift given would have been remuneration and therefore not permissible to accept, even if it was given to the poor. By leading the Zuhr salaah, you will not be regarded as a deputy Imaam because this was not specified when you were appointed to lead the Taraaweeh salaah. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2