He says, "I work in a government office, but my monthly salary is not sufficient because I support a large family, and I teach the children of Muslims to memorize the Book of Allah, the noble Prophetic hadiths, and tawhid (the oneness of Allah)."
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The questioner : He says, "I work in a government office, but my monthly salary is not sufficient because I support a large family, and I teach the children of Muslims to memorize the Book of Allah, the noble Prophetic hadiths, and tawhid (the oneness of Allah). I did not ask their fathers for a wage for this, but they gave me fifteen riyals for each student per month, considering my financial circumstances. What is the ruling on this amount that I receive? Please inform us; may Allah reward you."
The Shaykh : The ruling on this amount that you received is that there is no blame on you for it, because it came without a condition. The stronger position is that it is permissible to take a wage for teaching the Qur'an, unlike taking a wage for reciting the Qur'an, which is forbidden. This is because the benefit of teaching extends to others, as it benefits the student. Therefore, if you take a wage for teaching the Book of Allah, there is no blame in that. As for taking a wage for its recitation, that is forbidden because the recitation of the Qur'an is only an act of nearness to Allah and worship. Any act that is only an act of nearness to Allah and worship does not permit taking a wage for it, because in such a case, a person would be prioritizing this world over the Hereafter.
As for whether it is better for you to take it or not to take it, we say to you: it is better not to take it and to seek the reward from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for teaching the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and tawhid (the oneness of Allah). However, given the need you described about yourself, there is nothing wrong with it, because you are taking it to meet your need, to be chaste and refrain from asking people, and to be self-sufficient without them.
The Shaykh : The ruling on this amount that you received is that there is no blame on you for it, because it came without a condition. The stronger position is that it is permissible to take a wage for teaching the Qur'an, unlike taking a wage for reciting the Qur'an, which is forbidden. This is because the benefit of teaching extends to others, as it benefits the student. Therefore, if you take a wage for teaching the Book of Allah, there is no blame in that. As for taking a wage for its recitation, that is forbidden because the recitation of the Qur'an is only an act of nearness to Allah and worship. Any act that is only an act of nearness to Allah and worship does not permit taking a wage for it, because in such a case, a person would be prioritizing this world over the Hereafter.
As for whether it is better for you to take it or not to take it, we say to you: it is better not to take it and to seek the reward from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for teaching the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and tawhid (the oneness of Allah). However, given the need you described about yourself, there is nothing wrong with it, because you are taking it to meet your need, to be chaste and refrain from asking people, and to be self-sufficient without them.