Reciting the Qur'an for the Benefit of the Dead for a Wage

Question :

One who has memorized the Qur'an takes wages for leading the prayer or reading Qur'an for the dead - he takes his salary even before reciting. Is this permissible?

Answer:

Reciting the Qur'an is one of the best forms of worship, and the basic principle in worship is that one should do it sincerely for the Face of Allâh alone, no worldly goal and no status should be sought from it. Allah Almighty says:
"Se worship Allah by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah's sake only. Surely, the religion is for Allâh only."

He also said:
"And they were not commanded, but that they should worship Allah, making religion purely for Him alone, upright."

In a Hadith, "Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he heard the Prophet ﷺ say :
"Indeed, deeds are by their intentions, and verily, for each person is what he intended. Whoever's emigration is to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, then his emigration is to Allah and His Messenger, and whoever's emigration is for a worldly goal he wishes to gain or for a woman he wishes to marry, then his emigration is to the purpose he set out for."

So it is not allowed for one who recites the Qur'an to take a wage for his recitation, regardless of whether it is before or after he recites, and regardless of whether it is for leading the prayer or reading the Qur'an for the dead.

None of the scholars permitted taking a wage for reciting the Qur'an. This does not apply to Imams of Mosques and the Callers of Prayer, who take a salary from the Muslim Treasury.

They are not taking a salary for reciting the Qur'an, nor are they taking a salary for the prayer itself, they are taking a salary in return for freeing themselves up of their private endeavours; they are fulfilling a responsibility that is due from the society.

Similarly, the Khalifah of the Muslims takes a salary because he frees his time from personal pursuits, dedicating all of his time to the welfare of Muslim society. "Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, used to give a salary from the Muslim Treasury to the Mujahidin and to those who had a sincere footing in Islam; each was given according to his piety and to his contribution to the Muslims. Moreover, Allah Almighty allotted a portion of the Zakah to those whose duty is to collect it, even if they are rich, because they are performing a communal Islamic duty. By dedicating their time to fulfil that duty, they are not able to earn for themselves. And guidance lies with Allah Almighty.