Masjid Jamaat membership
Question:-
Jamaat Contributions.
Contributions are expected from all members including students, for which an updated scale of contributions are as follows:
Minimum Contributions are set at R 150.00 per month, an intermediary scale for small business owners is set at R 400.00 per month and directors of larger businesses are recommended to contribute a minimum of R 750.00 per month. Should contributions be unaffordable, please apply for exemption. Members are requested to contact either of our treasurers, in order to notify us of your monthly contribution amount, as well as your method of membership.
All males over the age of 18, residing in the locality for a minimum period of five years, who have a South African Identity Document are encouraged to enlist as members. Those who did not register for the 2018 election, are requested to update their membership status by contacting any of the members of the Jamaat. Please be reminded of your commitment to contribute regularly for a minimum period of three years in order to qualify for full membership privileges. Membership criteria will be rigorously enforced, and will not be compromised on in future. We take this opportunity to thank you for your association in the past, and implore you for your support in the future. Jazakallah. Is this permissible????
Answer:-
You haven’t provided much information with regard to the contribution. It seems from the query that members of the community (depending on their financial position) are required to contribute towards the Masjid in order to qualify as members of the Jamaat. It also seems that non-contributors will not enjoy the privilege of enjoying membership status.
Firstly, the above form of contribution is totally against the grain of Ikhlaas and sincerity. Any action carried out for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala will be accepted by Almighty Allah (Insha’Allah) and it is for such actions that one will be rewarded in the hereafter. In this case, the contributors are not contributing for the pleasure of Allah but to enjoy membership in the Jamaat, hence, the action is void of sincerity.
Secondly, there may be many individuals that are not in the position of contributing due to their financial condition. However, they will feel compelled to contribute in this instance, so that they do not feel inferior to the rest of the Jamaat, making such a contribution unacceptable. The Hadith states that the wealth of a Muslim is not Halaal except that he contributes with a happy heart, and it is evident that in this instance the contributor is not happily contributing towards the Masjid.
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قال: لا يحل مال امرئ مسلم إلا بطيب نفسه (دار قطني)
Thirdly, never in the history of Islam were Muslims required to contribute fixed monthly amounts to the Masjid as mentioned in your query. This has been the way of the Christians who impose monthly contributions upon their congregants on a regular basis, and perhaps it is due to their contributions that they enjoy membership in the church. The Masajid are the Houses of Allah Ta’ala and He will take care of the Masajid, either through generous individuals in the Ummah (by granting them the ability to spend in his path), or through His unseen treasures. However, the method implemented by the Jamaat in question is totally incorrect and against the Shariah. We do hope that the system is scrapped and that they rectify their ways immediately, as this system clearly indicates that we have no trust upon our Creator and Sustainer, whereas we, as Muslims, depend totally upon our Creator to fulfil all our needs. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all towards righteousness! Ameen!
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 24 Jumadal Ukhra 1444 / 17 January 2022