The Gatekeeper’s Fee

Question

Nowadays it is customary to take a gatekeeper’s fee from the groom. Its form is this: on the road by which the groom is to go, a person stands, and if he does not give money, that person does not let him pass and abuses him. Is this permissible or not?

Answer

This too is a custom, and it is impermissible. If the groom hands over the money thus demanded out of shame or under compulsion, returning it is necessary; and abusing him for not giving money is a grave sin.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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