Collecting and spending customary payments

Question

I am a teacher at a government elementary school. Therefore, apart from the government salary, in connection with the students of the school and the public, there is an old custom of some people which has existed for a long time and still continues; I wish to obtain a decision from the scholars of religion as to how the following income will be for me. (1)

Answer

(1) If those who give the money know that you keep the portion in excess of the expenses, and they are content with it, then it is permissible. (2) Compulsion is not permissible. It is necessary to return money taken by force.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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