What is the ruling of Islam on one who does not work, claiming to dedicate himself to the mosque, while receiving a monthly sum from the government?
The ranks of earning vary between what is obligatory (to cover necessities such as family expenses and debt repayment), what is recommended, what is permissible, and what is forbidden. Scholars differed on which is better: engaging in earning or devoting oneself to worship.
Some of them said that earning is better due to its widespread benefit, while others, who are the majority, said that devoting oneself to worship is better, citing that the prophets – peace be upon them – dedicated themselves to worship more than to earning.
It is stated in "Maṭālib ʾUlī al-Nuhā" that the sounder view is the preference for earning money and spending it on those who deserve it, due to its overflowing benefit, unless the earning is spent on sustenance and jihad, in which case it is better; otherwise, one who dedicates himself to worship is better.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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