A relative of mine works as a mu'adhdhin (the one who calls to prayer) and was being paid a monthly stipend. This stipend was paid to him a few months before the construction of the mosque was completed, and...
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The questioner : A relative of mine works as a mu'adhdhin (the one who calls to prayer) and was being paid a monthly stipend. This stipend was paid to him a few months before the construction of the mosque was completed, knowing that he calls to prayer in another mosque at times. What is your opinion, may your excellence be rewarded, regarding the stipend paid to him before the construction of this mosque was completed? Is this money considered haram (forbidden)? And if it is haram, what should he do? Please issue a ruling, may you be rewarded.
The Shaykh : As for the case where this mosque, which has not yet been completed in its construction, existed before this renovation, and this questioner is the one who calls to prayer in it, then there is no harm in him taking the stipend, even if its reconstruction has not been completed. However, if this mosque, which has not been completed, is being built for the first time, then he should not take the stipend, even if he calls to prayer in another mosque. But I advise those responsible for paying stipends to mu'adhdhins (the ones who call to prayer) or imams (the ones who lead the prayer) or others; I advise them to follow up on those who have taken on these duties and not to give anyone a stipend unless they have actually started the work. This is because they are responsible for these funds that are taken from the public treasury for those who do not deserve them. And if they are responsible, let them know that if they violate what the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) requires, they will deserve the punishment that results from that, either in this world or in the Hereafter.
In summary, the answer is that we tell the brother: if this mosque is being built for the first time, do not take a stipend until you start calling to prayer after its completion. But if it is being rebuilt, there is no harm in taking the stipend, because your leaving off the call to prayer is not due to a matter related to you, but to a matter related to the authority where you work.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : As for the case where this mosque, which has not yet been completed in its construction, existed before this renovation, and this questioner is the one who calls to prayer in it, then there is no harm in him taking the stipend, even if its reconstruction has not been completed. However, if this mosque, which has not been completed, is being built for the first time, then he should not take the stipend, even if he calls to prayer in another mosque. But I advise those responsible for paying stipends to mu'adhdhins (the ones who call to prayer) or imams (the ones who lead the prayer) or others; I advise them to follow up on those who have taken on these duties and not to give anyone a stipend unless they have actually started the work. This is because they are responsible for these funds that are taken from the public treasury for those who do not deserve them. And if they are responsible, let them know that if they violate what the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) requires, they will deserve the punishment that results from that, either in this world or in the Hereafter.
In summary, the answer is that we tell the brother: if this mosque is being built for the first time, do not take a stipend until you start calling to prayer after its completion. But if it is being rebuilt, there is no harm in taking the stipend, because your leaving off the call to prayer is not due to a matter related to you, but to a matter related to the authority where you work.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.