Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I have access to a scholar where I am currently living and I would like to arrange to study with him on a regular basis, but I’m not sure about what the proper adab is for remunerating him for his services or whether it is even proper to pay him for teaching me Islamic subjects. I certainly don’t want to offend him by offering to pay him.
Unfortunately, I don’t know other students of his because the situation is such that this scholar can’t teach openly, but rather provides lessons to a handful of students. How should I approach this situation so that I can benefit from this scholar while simultaneously being sure to follow proper adab?
Walaikum assalam,
1. Let him agree to teaching you first. Then, with the maximum politeness you can muster, tell him that you will pay him xyz/class, naming an appropriate amount. Insist firmly, and don’t accept no for an answer, while maintaining politeness.
2. Pay him very discretely: Put it in an envelope. When possible give with something else. Give it before the agreed-upon date. At no time should you delay such that the teacher is forced to ask for it.
3. If you think he will not be comfortable with direct talk about payment for classes, let someone who knows both of you talk on your behalf.
4. Before you do this all, ask Allah for success (tawfiq)… It is our belief that taking the best available means is necessary, but negating that they have effect is also necessary.
Walaikum assalam,