Ruling on giving money to poets for praising the Messenger
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The second question in the letter of our brother Adam. He says: Some people claim that they praise the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with poetry and beautiful descriptions, while knowing that they receive payment for it. Is this praise permissible? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
Answer: If they praise the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with what is true, we hold a good opinion of their intentions toward Allah. And if those whom they praised the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) for honor them, there is no harm. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to give gifts to delegations, to poets, and prizes, and they were disbelievers, so how much more so for Muslims.
The point is that the one who praises the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with truth, such as praising him for his good character among the Muslims, his humility, that he conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and for his attributes such as maintaining his beard (peace and blessings be upon him), his friendliness to the Muslims, his advice to Allah and His servants, his asceticism regarding this world and his desire for the Hereafter, his patience in jihad and against the harm of enemies, and other than this of his great morals. This is good, and there is no harm in giving to the one who said this, and rewarding him if he is a delegate, and giving him for his poetry what is hoped to encourage him to good and motivate him to remain steadfast in Islam, and there is no blame in that; because this is the action of the righteous, and among them, and at their head, is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for the intention, it is with Allah; Allah knows their intentions. Yes.
Answer: If they praise the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with what is true, we hold a good opinion of their intentions toward Allah. And if those whom they praised the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) for honor them, there is no harm. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to give gifts to delegations, to poets, and prizes, and they were disbelievers, so how much more so for Muslims.
The point is that the one who praises the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with truth, such as praising him for his good character among the Muslims, his humility, that he conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and for his attributes such as maintaining his beard (peace and blessings be upon him), his friendliness to the Muslims, his advice to Allah and His servants, his asceticism regarding this world and his desire for the Hereafter, his patience in jihad and against the harm of enemies, and other than this of his great morals. This is good, and there is no harm in giving to the one who said this, and rewarding him if he is a delegate, and giving him for his poetry what is hoped to encourage him to good and motivate him to remain steadfast in Islam, and there is no blame in that; because this is the action of the righteous, and among them, and at their head, is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for the intention, it is with Allah; Allah knows their intentions. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.
