Is it permissible to take money in exchange for reciting the Qur'an for the deceased, with the reward going to the deceased, and what is your advice to him?

The questioner : I recite the Qur'an, and some people in our village come to me with a sum of money and say: Take this amount and recite whatever is easy of the Noble Qur'an with the intention of a relative who has died or is ill, so that perhaps Allah will heal him. In turn, I recite whatever is easy of the Qur'an and supplicate for that sick person to be healed or for the deceased to be shown mercy, saying: O Allah, I ask You to heal so-and-so or to have mercy on so-and-so. Please inform us whether the money I took in this case is lawful or forbidden? Knowing that I did not take this money except because I needed it, and what do you advise me to do?

The Shaykh : Taking this money is forbidden, because a person is not permitted to take money for reciting the Qur'an. Reciting the Qur'an is an act of worship, and acts of worship must be pure for Allah the Exalted. It is not permissible for a person to seek worldly gain from them. Therefore, the money you took is not lawful for you, and you must return it to its owners unless they forgive you. You must also repent to Allah the Exalted for what you did.
As for your being in need, that does not justify taking this money, because it is taken without right. However, if you go to the sick person himself and recite for him what is hoped to bring healing, such as the Opening of the Book, then there is no harm in taking something of what they give you. In fact, there is no harm in saying: I will not recite for this sick person except for this specific thing. This is because the person for whom it is recited benefits from this recitation, so the compensation you take is compensation for a service, not for the recitation itself.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.