Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating partners with You in any way, and I seek Your forgiveness for that which I do not know. Ameen.
Nowadays, it has become a trend for parents to call over an Ustaz or Ustazah to their homes to teach their children the recitation of the Al-Quran and the Islamic knowledge.
Firstly, they want to have it at the comfort of their own homes and avoid wasting time and the hassle having their children to travel. Secondly, they want to be able to monitor their children. Thirdly, in order for them to be able to join along since they are too shy to do that in private centers together with other children. Fourthly, they want to create bond with their children while learning.
But the arising issue of this home-base madrasah is the fee that these Asatizah deserve. Asatizah, like all humans, need food, shelter, and clothing, as well as educational resources like books, computers, software, and internet expenses.
Our Prophet s.a.w. did not collect fees to teach the Quran, but he was often financially supported by those who benefitted from his teachings, and this support enabled him to devote his life to the ummah and to spreading the message of the Quran.
It is halal to ask for money in exchange for Quran lessons. It is halal only to collect enough wages to allow us to continue to teach. Any temptation or attempt to profit from the Quran must be strictly avoided.
The hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas r.a. in which he narrated that some of the companions of the Prophet s.a.w passed by some people, and one of those people had been stung by a scorpion. One of the companions recited surah Al-Fatihah on the stung person for a sheep as his fees. The patient got cured and the man brought the sheep to his companions who disliked that and said, “You have taken wages for reciting Allah’s Book.” They referred the matter to the Prophet s.a.w. who
said: “You are perfectly entitled to take wages for Allah’s Book.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Sahl ibn Sa’d reported: I was among people with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, as a woman stood up and she said, “O Messenger of Allah, she has given herself in marriage to you, so what is your answer?” The Prophet did not reply. She stood up again and she said, “O Messenger of Allah, she has given herself to you, so what is your answer.” The Prophet again did not reply. She stood up a third time and she said, “She has given herself in
marriage to you, so what is your answer?” A man stood up and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, marry her to me.” The Prophet said, “Do you have anything as a dowry?” He said no. The Prophet said, “Go find something, even an iron ring.” The man went and searched, then he came back and he said, “I could not find anything, not even an iron ring.” The Prophet said, “Have you learned anything from the Quran?” He said, “Yes, I know some chapters.” The Prophet said, “Go, for I have married you both with
what you have learned from the Quran.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Thus i conclude, as parents we should be more considerate with the fee that we are giving to these Asatizah. What more the knowledge that they are delivering to you and your children is a knowledge that is preparing you for the Akhirah. Try to avoid being calculative. You never know if this money that you are investing in these classes could be an investment for your own Akhirah. This money too could be the reason for all the blessings that you have been receiving
in this world. So do not hesitate in giving.
Meanwhile, do look through our list of upcoming events. You never know if the answer to your curiosity can be answered through our events. May Allah s.w.t. give you the guidance in what ever that you are searching for!! Ameen!!
