The imam specifying a fee for leading the people in the tarawih prayer

Q: What is the ruling on an imam specifying a fee for leading the people in prayer, especially if he goes to distant areas to lead them in the tarawih prayer?

A: Specifying a fee is not appropriate, and a group of the Salaf disliked it. If they help him with something unspecified, there is no harm in that.
As for the prayer, it is valid and there is nothing wrong with it, if Allah wills, even if they specified a contribution for him, because the need may call for it. However, he should not do so, and the contribution should be without a stipulation. This is the best and most cautious course, as a group of the Salaf (may Allah have mercy on them) said.
One may also take comfort in his (peace and blessings be upon him) saying to Uthman ibn Abi al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) : . If this applies to the mu'adhdhin, then the imam is even more so. The point is that stipulating a fee for leading the prayer is not befitting. If the congregation helps him with what assists him with the car fare, that is good without a stipulation.