Some schools give parents a list of book titles and say: “Buy them from wherever it is convenient.” Now, in such schools, most of the children come to me, and for this reason I give stationery and other items only to that school for free. What is the Shariah ruling on this, while the school does not make any such demand?
If the school administration truly does not demand stationery or other items, and the questioner, of his own choice and goodwill, provides them free of charge, then this is a voluntary donation and an act of kindness on his part, which is permissible and valid. Moreover, due to this practice, there will be no defect in his income. However, he should occasionally refrain from this practice in order to avoid places of suspicion.
کمافی الشامیة: أما إذا كان بلا شرط لكن يعلم يقينا أنه إنما يهدي ليعينه عند السلطان فمشايخنا على أنه لا بأس به، ولو قضى حاجته بلا شرط ولا طمع فأهدى إليه بعد ذلك فهو حلال لا بأس به وما نقل عن ابن مسعود من كراهته فورع اھ(5/362)۔