What is the ruling on saying: "If such and such happens, or if I beat you in such and such, then you get a sum of money, and if it doesn't happen, I won't give you anything and you won't give me anything"? Is this considered a wager? If it is not a wager, what is it called? Has anyone deemed it impermissible? And if it is not permissible, must he be given what was promised?

The term "betting" (Al-Rihan) carries two meanings:

1. Competition: The fundamental ruling for this is permissibility if it is without compensation. However, jurists differed on the permissibility of competitions with compensation. The majority of scholars held that it is not permissible except in archery, horse racing, and camel racing, based on the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "There is no prior reward except for arrows, or hooves, or paws." The Shafi'is broadened this, attaching to these three all instruments of war. Some scholars permitted the offering of compensation in academic competitions that support religion, whereas there is no benefit in something like dog fighting, and thus it is not permissible to compete in it, whether with or without compensation.

2. Risk-taking (Gambling): This is forbidden religiously according to the general consensus of scholars, because it is gambling. This is like two people betting on something that may or may not happen, such as saying: "If it doesn't rain tomorrow, you owe me such-and-such amount of money, otherwise I owe you the same." This is forbidden by the agreement of jurists. As for promising a gift upon the occurrence of a specific event, that is permissible, but the promise is not binding.