Donations from People Engaged in Haraam Activities, by Exploiting Greed and from Shias

Q: Masaajid and Madaaris-3 : What is the ruling concerning receiving donations for the Masjid from people who sell Haraam commodities such as liquor, etc? What about collecting from people by embarrassing them or by tempting them? Please also tell us the ruling concerning collecting from Shias.

Answer: It is necessary to collect money for a Masjid that is pure and untainted. Money cannot be accepted from people engaging in Haraam and impermissible transactions. A Hadith makes it clear that Allaah accepts only wealth that is pure.'

It is also necessary to accept donations only from people who are happy to donate and are doing so to please Allaah. If money is collected from a person after he has been shamed into donating or through some sort of temptation,he will not be donating purely to be rewarded by Allaah. In fact, this may even be construed as bribery. Rasulullaah SAW. said, "The wealth of a person is not lawful against his pleasure.

It is best (especially in this age) to collect donations only from Muslims. No favours should be accepted from others. Masaajid need to be built with the least expense and using only Halaal and pure money. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3