I have made the intention to run the Birmingham Half-Marathon on October 24 (13 miles) for charity.

Answer

Allah's House, The Musjid, is not in need of such haraam funds of riya and nafsaaniyat. It is not permissible to participate in events in emulation of the kuffaar. Running for 'charity' is not permissible. This is a kuffaar show of riya based on nafsaaniyat. Muslims give charity for the sake of Allah Ta'ala, and the best charity is that which is given in concealment. Charity is not advertised. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Aid (yourself) for fulfilment of your needs with concealed charity." The Hadith teaches us to give charity in such a manner that whatever the right hand gives, not even the left hand should know about it.

Ibaadat should not be made a show. It is not permissible to collect money for a Musjid in this manner devised by the kuffaar. What is the need to emulate kuffaar and project the ibaadat of charity in this despicable manner? Those who wish to donate for the Musjid should do so with sincerity, hoping to gain Allah's Pleasure and thawaab in the Aakhirah.

Charity should not be transformed into a fun display and an act of riya. Devote the time of running 13 miles to the performance of Salaat or Tilaawat or some other permissible act of either the Deen or the dunya instead of dishonouring himself with the futile and sinful methods of the kuffaar. Allah's House (The Musjid) is not in need of such funds of riya acquired in emulation of kuffaar practices.

People who donate funds in response to such stunts are insincere. They do not have the suffering Muslims nor the Deeni Projects at heart. If they are sincere they should contribute without the nafsaani attraction of these kuffaar stunts.