Is there a right to salary for presence in one’s room without teaching?

Question

Because of some temporary illness, Zayd did not attend the madrasa’s classes for one day and did not teach the lesson; rather, he stayed in his room within the madrasa compound. Is it permissible for him to take the salary for that day or not? This is given that the rule of this madrasa is that when the boys go out to collect grain and the like, then although the teacher has no work to do, he is required to remain within the madrasa compound, whether in the classroom or in his own chamber.

Answer

He has no right to take the salary for that day. Here the lesson was not taught because of his own personal need. When the boys go out to collect grain and no lessons are taught at that time, that is a need of the madrasa. Therefore the analogy (qiyas) is not correct.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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