Payment or gift for completing the Qur’an in Tarawih

Question

Question: In this age, the huffaz of the Noble Qur’an travel to various parts of the world to complete the Qur’an (khatm) in Tarawih, and they do complete it in Tarawih. Some of them lead the Tarawih prayer after fixing a wage, and some make absolutely no mention of a wage, but after Ramadan is over people of their own accord give the respected hafiz money, and also give clothing and such things. Are both of these cases permissible or not? If permissible, what is the underlying reason (‘illa)?

Answer

Taking a wage for reciting the Holy Qur’an in Tarawih is not permissible. If a wage is not formally agreed beforehand, but in accordance with custom the imam too has it in mind that he will be given something, and the worshippers too have it in mind that the imam will be given something, then under the rule “what is known by custom is like what is stipulated” (المعروف كالمشروط)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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