Announcing the Names of Donors over the Mosque Microphone

Question

Question: A person endowed a microphone to the mosque as waqf with the intention that the needs of the mosque be met through it. Now a major work is being started inside the mosque, for example laying the floor and repairing a dilapidated wall. Obviously such works require a considerable sum, so on the advice of the workers we have launched this scheme: an announcement is made over the microphone, and whoever has the means comes and gives as much as he can.

Answer

Announcing in this way contains both encouragement (targhib) and harm (mafsada). The encouragement is obvious; the harm is of two kinds. First, because of this name-by-name announcement people will praise, and for the sake of this praise some people will give donations so that their names too are called out and people, hearing them, praise them as well.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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