Q: At our mosque money was collected to buy new carpet. 7500 $ in total. It was for the ladies area. People that gave money gave for carpet. Later the officials changed their mind and never said a word about where the money went. When we sent them an email requesting information about the 7500 n carpet they had this to say: It was spent of the musjid. Is this right? Later they posted a memo on the mosque board: If you want your money back come an ask for it. It was rude how it was done. What is your opinion? Advice?

A: Money collected for a specific function has to be spent on that function. When the officials changed their mind, they should have given the money back to the people. It is a breach of (perfection) trust to spend that money on anything else.

Etiquette requires the following: When the carpet deal came to an end, the officials should have given each penny back to its rightful owner. Money that could not be traced back to the owners should be utilized on a carpet  project for the future.  If there would be no carpet project in the future, then another flooring project. Alternatively/additionally, they should have made announcements to return the funds in the same manner they made announcements to collect the funds. This would make the musjid officials be viewed as more honest as well as religiously reflective. Public work demands a public way of doing things.

The money not given back, yet used for something else would gain contributors reward, however, officials did take part in a khiyanat (breach of trust) more-so if the donors for the carpet where known by the officials.

By contrast, those that gave money – a dollar here and a dollar there, and later their money was used on water, upkeep of musjid windows, etc, they will be rewarded for every dollar given.   It is always good to choose officials that are knowledgeable regading waqf (endowment) laws.

Imaams make mistakes, officials make mistakes and congregants make mistakes. We must make good on our errors, accept the consequences for your wrongs and move forward positively. Dear Bother/Sister, do not let this incident hold you back from future good works. To be prevented from good works is from shaytaan.  Be more cautious and give it your all to uplift your community, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.