A charity is organising a sisters’ only fundraiser where they will participate in paint balling & raise funds for Gaza. If this is incorrect, which I assume it is, please list the reasons for impermissibility so that I can advise the females of my family?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
To participate in and raise funds for noble causes is indeed desirable and highly encouraged. Allah exhorts and praises the believing men and women who spend graciously in His cause. Shari’ah does not prevent one from undertaking such noble pursuits. However, we should be sensitive to and mindful of the manner in which collections are raised.
The ideal is to fund a project personally or solicit funds without having any personal benefits whatsoever. This is in keeping with the spirit of sincerity in donations. When Allah`s Messenger Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam encouraged the Sahābah (male companions) and sahābiyāt (female companions) to contribute towards a religious project, he did so by highlighting the pleasure of Allah Ta`āla, and the rewards in the hereafter. Hence, funds were contributed solely for the pleasure of Allah whilst keeping in mind the tremendous reward in the hereafter.
We are all aware of the hardship and suffering our brothers and sisters are undergoing in Gaza. We find it in appropriate that funds be solicited for their benefit by means of entertainment and recreation. How can we bear playing paintball in the name of collecting funds for the people of Gaza when we should be grieving for them not even having shelter and basic needs of life? At a time when we are sharing their pain and grief, these feelings alone should inspire us to donate towards their cause. Furthermore, for women to leave their houses for such activities and such causes is highly inappropriate when there are alternate ways of donating the money.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Nabeel Valli
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net