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The question

What is the ruling on accepting free external books sent by companies to teachers as a form of advertising, knowing that the mother has stopped giving private lessons but continues to take the books and distribute them to those in need?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Gifts of summarized books to female teachers involve a detailed explanation:

1. If the teacher is given the book for review and evaluation without obligating students or making it a curriculum requirement because of the gift: There is no harm in that, and this is like free samples. However, if the teacher has stopped teaching, she must stop taking these books and inform the companies, because they are gifts conditioned for someone who is a teacher. 2. If the teacher is given the book to sway her and obligate her students to it (whether explicitly or implicitly): This is a forbidden bribe, and it must be returned to its owner. If that is not possible, it should be given to her employer. This falls under forbidden gifts to workers. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever among you is appointed by us to a task, and he conceals from us a needle or more, it is a ghul (ill-gotten gain) that he will bring on the Day of Resurrection." 3. If the teacher (who gives private lessons) is given the book to prioritize it over others and obligate her students to it: This is a bribe, and it must be returned. If that is not possible, then she should dispose of it by giving it to poor students. The principle is that a doctor does not accept gifts from pharmaceutical companies because it is a bribe that causes him to be biased, and this applies to the teacher.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

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Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
29976
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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