Is it permissible to accept prizes offered in competitions held in mosques on religious occasions?
The Islamic holidays are few in number, and the Prophet's birthday is not one of them. Therefore, it is not permissible to single it out for any ritual, act of worship, or celebration. Organizing competitions on this day is a way of reviving it and making it an Eid, which is an innovation (bid'ah) and it is not permissible to participate in it. As for legitimate Islamic occasions, such as the month of Ramadan, it is desirable to remind people of their virtues and to hold academic competitions and Qur'an memorization competitions during them, and participation in them is permissible. Offering prizes in competitions is permissible if the competition has a religious or worldly benefit.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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