Receiving wages for teaching a foreign language
Fatwa No: 299314

Question

asalam we3likoum is teaching a foreign language in university or other institutions and getting an income from it halal in Islam .(this question applied in a Muslim a country and non Muslim ).

Answer

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

There is no blame in teaching foreign languages in universities, private institutions or other places for a wage, because the teaching of these languages is considered a permissible service that one offers, so it is permissible to receive compensation and wages for it.

However, since the ultimate objective of education is the refinement of character and the spread of beneficial knowledge, the teacher should bear that objective in mind. Even if a foreign language which is the subject to be taught, the teacher is still able to use beneficial examples and words of wisdom to contribute to the refinement of the students' character and encourage them to be observant. If the teacher seeks reward for doing so, he will receive a wage from Allaah even before his temporary wage in the world.

Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa