Alhamdulillah, we have a small but affluent Muslim housing society in Noida, we have a small Masjid in our compound and we offer salah five times in the same; we have appointed an Imam for the Masjid who carries the responsibility with utmost honesty may Allah reward him in Akhirah. We also pay him on monthly basis; however we intend to give a substantial amount to him as jaza/hadiya during Ramadan, for which we have done the announcement post namaz Isha as most of our resident are available that time plus some brothers from nearby location, also we have put this up on society’s notices board. Our Imam has never asked for money or kind of monitory support from us, during Ramadan or any other month. However, he is still feeling uneasy (karahiat) on this matter as this might hamper his Akhirah. Please tell us your views on the same.
Answer
(Fatwa: 1744/1362/B=1433)
If you people want to give extra money to your imam sahib due to his good performance then you should give it in any other month except Ramadan then he shall not feel uneasy. Since he leads tarawih prayer in Ramadan hence he shall consider your Hadya (gift) as the compensation of the reciting the holy Quran, and the ruling is the same; hence you should avoid giving extra amount in the month of Ramadan.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband