Is it permissable for a scholar to recieve govermental salary?

Sources

• ✓ 2:271 · Al-Baqara

  2:271 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  إِن تُبْدُوا۟ ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ ۖ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا ٱلْفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ

  If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what ye do.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 2:271

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 2:271

  This verse informs us that Allah is fully aware of every act of charity, whether those deeds are openly given or made secretly, and that He guarantees a more generous reward for those who perform such good works sincerely seeking His pleasure and anticipating His promised recompense. It also warns those who disobey Him, reject His message, and associate partners with Him, stating that on the Day of Resurrection they will have no protectors to save them from Allah’s punishment and wrath. The statement, “If you disclose your alms, that is well,” means if you give charity openly, it is indeed a good thing. However, “and if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you,” indicates that keeping charity secret is superior to making it public, because secrecy avoids showing off or seeking praise. Yet there is an exception when public charity serves a greater benefit, such as inspiring others to give. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "The person who recites the Qur’an openly is like the one who openly gives charity, and the person who recites the Qur’an secretly is like the one who gives charity secretly." Secret charity is generally preferable, as it distances one from riya (showing off), and this is supported by this verse and authentic reports. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Seven types of people will be shaded by Allah on the Day when there is no shade except His: ... and a person who gives charity secretly to such an extent that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given." Imam Ahmad reported through a chain from Anas ibn Malik that when Allah created the earth, it was unstable until He created mountains. The angels marveled at the mountains, then inquired about what creation was harder, going through iron, fire, water, wind, and finally man giving charity secretly with his right hand concealed from his left. Abu Dhar asked the Prophet ﷺ which charity was best, and he replied: "Secret charity to a poor person or exertion done with the best effort." This saying is connected to this verse, emphasizing the excellence of concealed charity. There is a narration that secret charity quenches the anger of the Lord, glorified and exalted. Regarding the verse’s revelation, it was revealed about Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them. Umar came with half his wealth, which he gave to the Prophet ﷺ, who asked if he left anything for his family. Umar said yes, half his wealth. Abu Bakr came with nearly all his wealth, almost hiding it from himself until he gave it to the Prophet ﷺ, who asked the same question, and Abu Bakr replied: "I have left for my family the provision of Allah and His Messenger." Umar was moved, praising Abu Bakr’s precedence to any good gate. This verse is a general ruling that keeping charity secret is better, whether obligatory or voluntary. However, Ibn Abbas explained that secret charity in voluntary giving is seventy times greater in reward than public, while for obligatory charity, public giving holds more merit. The phrase “and it expiates some of your evil deeds” means that charity substitutes for and removes sin, especially when given secretly, bringing benefit in elevating ranks and expiation. Some recitations render it in different grammatical forms, but the meaning revolves around charity’s role in forgiveness and reward. “And Allah is fully aware of what you do” means nothing is hidden from Him regarding these acts, and He will recompense accordingly. This is a reassurance that every deed of charity, whether visible or concealed, sincere or otherwise, will be accounted for and rewarded by Allah.