Questioner:

Is it permissible to collect donations outside the masjid after the Friday prayer, as the masjid is collecting these donations, due the need of paying rent and other expenses pertaining to the masjid. However they have found some brothers who say this is action is an innovation. So what is your opinion may Allāh preserve you?

Shaykh Zayd al-Madkhalī:

This is a good deed. If there is no opposition from the authorities towards those responsible in doing this, then it is a good and virtuous action, so long as those collecting are truthful, and they spend [the donations] on things, which they have informed the people of. Therefore this is a virtuous deed.

Allāh ﷻ says

۞ وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ

“And cooperate upon righteousness and piety” (Q 5:2)

And this is considered helping one another upon righteousness and piety with the condition that those responsible for this task are trustworthy with regards to collecting and distributing the donations. Likewise it should be upon piety whilst asking the people of knowledge with regards to how the collections should be spent and they spend [the donations] on things that they have informed the people of. Therefore this is a virtuous deed.