The Doubt Regarding Scholars Taking a Salary from the Ruler and Its Effect on Their Fatwas

Question:
The questioner says: We love our scholars and we do not doubt them, but there is a doubt among some people that we would like you to address. Some of them say that if a scholar takes a salary from the ruler, it may affect his fatwas. How do we respond to them?

Answer:
O my brothers, scholars, judges, muftis, imams, and men of hisbah, as well as everyone who works for the Muslims, have the right to take from the public treasury what is sufficient for their needs so that they can devote themselves to this. This is what is called a salary from the public treasury. The scholars used to take from the public treasury in the past. The Companions used to distribute from the public treasury and from the spoils of war to the Muhajireen and the Ansar, and they would take it. This is a matter that helps them to perform their duties. Otherwise, everyone would go work to support their families and earn a livelihood for their households, leaving off the jihad, leaving off the fatwa, leaving off teaching, and matters would be neglected. This is in the interest of the Muslims, O my brothers. This is in the interest of the Muslims so that these people can devote themselves to benefiting the Muslims. Yes.