Wednesday, 29 April 2026 (12 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH)
Question: If two men dispute and they place a ribākh (a sum held with him) with a man, and that man reconciles between them, so they both give him a fee in return for his reconciling them – is it permissible for him to take that fee, even if they did not give him the fee except while they were forcefully pressing one another to do so?
Answer – and Allah is the One who grants success: Reconciliation between believers is obligatory, due to His saying, Exalted is He: “so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.” [al-Ḥujurāt:10] And it has been established that taking a wage for performing an obligatory act is forbidden; therefore, taking a wage for that is forbidden.
As for what this reconciler is given by the disputants without any condition from him, neither outward nor inward, and with both of them willingly content with it, then the apparent ruling is that there is no harm upon him in taking it, whether it was given amid mutual insistence between them or not.
However, staying away from such things is more fitting for the believer, more protective of his religion, farther from doubtful matters, and farther from the manners of the people of ignorance and misguidance.
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.2