Assalamu alaekum.i belong to tableegi jamat: There is an imam in our masjid from last 12 yrs n he himself leads the tarawhee salah n recievs his salary every month which is fixed but in ramadhan he demands for extra money n ppl of ur mosque collects chanda(contribution)for him, so this is right or not ? should we offer salah behind such imaam? our salah will be acceptable or not? pls rply
Answer
(Fatwa: 121/102=H/1429)
Giving and receiving money in return of tarawih is unlawful, and demanding is more vicious. Yes, if, in the beginning of Ramadhan, people give some extra amount individually (without collecting as donations) as gift, it can be allowed. The unlawfulness of giving and receiving money in tarawih is the same with permanent imam also.
(2) Since you are not the trustee of manager of the mosque, therefore you salah is alright without any karahah (undesirability), it will be accepted as well in-shaAllah. You can inform the imam and the masjid administration about the ruling with respect and politeness.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband