Assalaamu ‘Alaykum; Recently the Deputy Imam in our mosque who is from India introduced me to a gentleman whose father founded an Islamic Madrasa in India. Many issues were discussed that the Madrasa does and how they need financial assistance. I showed interest in providing finance for construction of an additional mosque that is required for the Madrasa students. Subsequently our Deputy Imam once mentioned to me that the Maulana at that Madrasa asked him to take bayt / allegiance. So I started wondering whether their belief / Aqeedah are correct. Now this Madrasa has sent me the design of the proposed Mosque with estimated costs. I am in a dilemma. Please guide me. Can I finance construction of this Mosque considering there may be people praying who may not be on the correct Aqeedah / belief or straight path? I am attaching the link of this Madrasa for your review: http://www.mahedpalamaner.com/index.html May Allah reward you for guiding me correctly.an Jazakallah Khair

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that building a mosque is one of the best acts by which a person gets closer to Allaah, and it is considered a continuous charity from which the dead benefits after his death. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “Among the righteous things from which a believer benefits after his death are the knowledge which he taught and spread among the people, and a pious son whom he left behind, and a copy of the Quran which he bequeathed to others, or a mosque which he built, or a house which he built for the wayfarers, or a canal of water which he dug for others to benefit from, or a charity which he gave out of his wealth during his life while he was still in good health; the reward of all this will reach him after his death.” [Ibn Maajah]

Therefore, a Muslim should put his money where it is more beneficial for the Muslims. So, if he wants to build a mosque, he should endeavor to built a mosque that will be a beacon to spread good and truth according to the right guidance derived from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Prophet .

However, we know that some innovative sects in India ask their followers to give Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) to their Shaykhs, so it is feared that the people whom you asked about are from these sects, so we advise you to give your money to those who are known to be upon the correct belief and those who teach this correct belief to the people.

Allaah Knows best.