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The question

Is it permissible to conduct a race where the prize is a non-material penalty agreed upon by both parties, such as the winner hitting the loser five times, and is this considered gambling?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

It is impermissible to race or wager for financial compensation or benefit, except in horse racing, camel racing, archery, and competitions that aid material or moral jihad, such as contests in Quran, , and Fiqh. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: "There is no prize except in archery, or hoofed animals, or camels." If the competition is in Islamic knowledge or horsemanship, it is permissible to set a prize for the winner, even if taken from the loser. There is no harm in the benefit being a known service, such as cleaning the house. As for making the prize the striking of the losing party, this is blameworthy amusement. If the competition falls outside what has been mentioned, it is impermissible to set a prize for it.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
22398
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Read the full answer on Ftawy