How can commercial competitions be permissible under certain conditions, even though the hadith states: "There is no prize except for an arrow, a hoof, or a foot"?

The opinions of the jurists regarding the ruling on competitions can be summarized into two categories: The first is what is explicitly stated in the noble Hadith, which pertains to three types: horses, camels, and archery. This is permissible by scholarly consensus if the prize comes from someone other than the contestants. As for other than these three, they are divided into two types:

First: What is similar in meaning to what is explicitly stated in the text and is useful for Jihad. There are two opinions on this: impermissibility, which is the view of the majority, and permissibility, which is the view of the Hanafis.

Second: Permissible matters that are not similar in meaning to what is explicitly stated in the text. There are two opinions on this: impermissibility, which is the ruling given in the four schools of thought, and permissibility if the prize comes from a third party.

As for promotional commercial incentives, they are divided into commercial competitions and promotional gifts. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy has issued a resolution regarding competition prizes and their cards, which states:

1. A competition without a prize is permissible if there is no text prohibiting it and it does not lead to neglecting an obligation or committing a prohibited act. 2. A competition with a prize is permissible if its goals and means are legitimate, the prize does not come from all contestants, it achieves a legitimate objective, and it does not lead to neglecting an obligation or committing a prohibited act. 3. Competition cards where part of their value goes into prizes are not permissible because they are a form of gambling (maysir). 4. Betting between two or more parties on the outcome of an act by others is forbidden. 5. Paying a sum for phone calls to enter competitions is not permissible if the sum or part of it goes into the value of the prizes. 6. Prize providers may benefit from promoting their goods only, without financial gain, through legitimate competitions, provided that the value of the prizes or part of them does not come from the contestants, and there is no deception or fraud in the promotion. 7. The increase or decrease of the prize amount due to subsequent loss after winning is not permissible. 8. Hotel, airline, and institutional cards that grant points leading to permissible benefits are permissible if they are free, and impermissible if they are for a price due to the element of gharar (excessive uncertainty).

If the prize is offered by someone other than the contestants, it is closer to the contract of Ju'ala (remuneration for a task), which is permissible for any permissible act. The principle in financial transactions is permissibility unless there is evidence of prohibition.