Is it permissible for a preacher to take money while preaching?

The questioner : A questioner says: We have differed on an issue, which is whether it is permissible for a preacher to seek influence during his preaching, relying on the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preached to the women, and they would throw their jewelry into the garment of Bilal.

The Shaykh : This is one of the most astonishing things: for a person to use the truth as evidence for falsehood. A preacher who preaches to the people and then looks forward to them giving him money—may Allah protect us from that—has sought worldly gain through his work. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, has related that the messengers, and their last one, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), used to say: The messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) never took any reward for their calling to Allah and their preaching to the servants of Allah. They never took a wage for that, because the reward of the preacher is with Allah, and his reward is not the charity placed in his hands.
As for using the action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as evidence, it is in reality using the truth as evidence for falsehood, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not take charity for himself; rather, charity was forbidden for him. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: It is only the provision of the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was not permitted to take obligatory charity or voluntary charity for himself; he only took it for those among the Muslims who were entitled to it. So there is a difference between this and that. If a preacher stands and preaches to the people, encouraging them to donate to specific causes for which donation is prescribed, then there is no harm in his taking the charity, and he will be rewarded for it. But as for one who takes it for himself, this is something he should never do. If he intended it from the very beginning of his preaching, then it is forbidden for him. If he did not intend it, he should not take it, even if it is given to him, because he would be suspected of it, and because it may lead others to this reprehensible matter. Yes.