Establishing a Da'wah Organization that Sells Event Tickets

Question: Is it Islamically permissible to establish an organization that arranges Islamic da'wah events, which involves inviting speakers in Islamic preaching and generating profit from ticket sales? If my intention is to build a large platform for da'wah, but part of the ticket revenue goes toward personal profit and part to running the business, is this allowed?

Summary:

It is permissible to establish an organization for organizing da'wah events and to earn profit from ticket sales, as long as your intention is serving the da'wah and the profit is in return for organizing and effort, not for selling sacred knowledge or monopolizing it. It is recommended to: • Offer some events free or at a reduced price, so the doors of da'wah remain open to the public. • Declare your sincere intention and da'wah goal, and show honesty and transparency in financial dealings. This falls under the category of cooperation in righteousness and piety, not from the forbidden commercialization of religion.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

The correct answer according to the methodology of the righteous predecessors and Ahl al‑Sunnah wa’l‑Jamā‘ah:

First: The ruling on commercial work

The default ruling in Islamic law is that buying, selling and trade are permissible. Allah the Most High said:

From the Qur'an:

  • al‑Baqarah: 275
    Those who consume interest will stand ˹on Judgment Day˺ like those driven to madness by Satan’s touch. That is because they say, “Trade is no different than interest.” But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. Whoever refrains after having received warning from their Lord may keep their previous gains, and their case is left to Allah. As for those who persist, it is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever.

    So, establishing a commercial company to organize da'wah events falls under permissible work, as long as the purpose and method do not contradict Islamic law.

Second: Ruling on profiting from da'wah and organizing lectures Permissible with conditions: It is Islamically permissible to organize da'wah events for a fee (such as tickets), on the condition that: 1. The religious knowledge itself is not being sold, rather the fee is for arranging the venue, effort and time, and it is allowed to charge for this. As the legal principle states: “Fees for teaching or labor are permitted if not for the act of worship itself.” 2. The scholar or speaker is pleased with and agrees to participate in the event in this manner. 3. Tickets must not be a condition for obtaining obligatory knowledge. Religious knowledge should not become a means of monopoly. Whatever is possible to offer freely should be given, while that which requires organizing and service may come with a fee. 4. The primary intention should not be money, but rather serving the da'wah and expanding its reach. It is allowed for the organizer to earn as long as the da'wah intention remains.

From the Scholars:

  • al‑Fatāwā al‑Kubrā 6/136
    Shaykh al‑Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “It is permissible to take wages for teaching and working, for the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘The most deserving thing to take payment for is the Book of Allah.’” Narrated by al‑Bukhārī in his Ṣaḥīḥ.
  • Ibn al‑Qayyim said:
    “Those who permitted taking fees for teaching the Qur’an or religion explained that it is payment for time and effort, not for the knowledge itself.”
  • Imām Aḥmad said in one narration:
    “If he has no other income except teaching, then it is allowed for him to take wages.”
  • Shaykh Ibn Bāz (may Allah have mercy on him):
    “If a Muslim’s intention is da'wah to Allah, then there is no harm in him being supported and earning from this work.”
  • Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn said:
    “Payment for da'wah is not for the da'wah itself, but for the effort, time, travel and organizing, and there is no problem with this.”

And Allah knows best.

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