What is the ruling on the compensation received by a Hashemite from a charitable society for his work there, knowing that the society disburses these administrative funds from unrestricted Zakat and general Sadaqat, and does the ruling change if what he receives is in the form of a reward, and what is the ruling on his continuing to work as a volunteer, and what is the ruling on the funds he previously took if it is not permissible?

Scholars have differed regarding giving a Hashemite who works on zakat (definition) his wage from the zakat money itself. The majority are of the opinion that it is not permissible, out of reverence for the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) kin from the suspicion of taking charity, basing their argument on the hadith (definition): "Indeed, charity is not permissible for Muhammad, nor for the family of Muhammad." However, some Shafi'i scholars permitted it, arguing that what the worker receives is compensation for his work.

As for voluntary charity (sadaqat al-tatawwu'), scholars have three stances concerning it: absolute permissibility, absolute prohibition, and permissibility with dislike. The more preferred view is the permissibility for a Hashemite to take from voluntary charity.

According to the view of prohibition, a Hashemite is not obligated to return what he took previously if it was out of need, in consideration of the differing opinions. There is no problem with a Hashemite working as a volunteer without taking a wage.