Ruling on accepting donations from a non-Muslim for Da‘wah activities

25-8-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salam alaikom, What is the rulings of receiving financial support from a non-Muslim to a Muslim da'e for propagating the message of Islam? is this acceptable? Jazak Allahu khairan

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

There is no harm in accepting such money and using it to finance Da‘wah activities or in other charitable activities chosen by the donor, especially if it is hoped that accepting his donation would bring about a guaranteed benefit such as encouraging him to embrace Islam. It is authentically reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, accepted gifts from non-Muslims such as Caesar and Al-Muqawqis (the ruler of Egypt). Since it is deemed permissible for a Muslim to accept the gift of a non-Muslim and take it in his possession, there is no harm in offering this gift for the public benefit of the Muslim community and similar services for Muslims, including (financing) Da‘wah activities.

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah wrote, “As for building mosques, it is permissible for anyone to build a mosque - the pious, sinners, Muslims, and non-Muslims alike. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘He who builds a mosque for Allaah, Allaah will build a house for him in Paradise’.”

However, if it is feared that this non-Muslim would exploit this donation which he offers to Muslims to achieve some evil aims, his donation should be rejected.

Allaah Knows best.