What is the ruling on one who leads people in prayer as an imam in exchange for a wage?

Question:
The questioner says: What is the case of one who leads people in the tarawih prayer, and then at the end of the month they collect donations for him and give them to him? This phenomenon has become widespread in our country in all the mosques. What is the ruling on this money that is given to them?

Answer:
If he conditions it upon them, saying, "I will not pray with you except on the condition that you collect such and such amount of money," this is not permissible, because prayer is an act of worship, and no wage is taken for it. However, if he did not condition it upon them, but rather they, in their estimation of him and their assistance to him, volunteered to give him this, there is no harm in his taking it. It is better if he does not take it, but if he takes it without having conditioned it upon them, there is no harm.
As for the one who conditions it, saying, "I will not pray with you except for such and such," the prayer behind him is not valid. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who says, "I will pray with you for the month of Ramadan for such and such." He said, "And who would pray behind this man?" This was said in a tone of disapproval.