What is the ruling on competitions shown on MBC Channel, such as "send a word and enter a draw for a sum of money or a car"?
Participation in this competition is impermissible for two reasons:
Firstly: It falls under the category of forbidden gambling () if the cost of the messages exceeds the ordinary cost. Maysir is any transaction in which a participant pays for their message in the hope of winning a prize they might not receive. Allah has forbidden gambling, as He states: ﴿O YOU WHO BELIEVE! INTOXICANTS, GAMBLING, IDOLS, AND DIVINING ARROWS ARE BUT AN ABOMINATION OF SATAN'S HANDIWORK; SO AVOID THEM THAT YOU MAY PROSPISH.﴾ (Al-Ma'idah: 90). The revenue generated by the competition organizers from the message fees exceeds the value of the prizes they offer, which constitutes forbidden means of earning.
Secondly: There is no benefit for the Muslim in it other than the financial benefit, should they win the prize. The Lawgiver has restricted the permissibility of competitions to three matters, as stated by the Prophet, peace be upon him: "There is no prize except in archery, camel racing, or horse racing." Some scholars have analogized to these what is similar in benefit, such as competitions for memorizing the Qur'an, , and Fiqh, as Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that competitions based on knowledge are more deserving of permissibility.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 118151
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy