What is the Sharia ruling on participating in the "Hibat Al-Jazeera" company system, which involves selling a religious CD for 500 Riyals, with a promise to the buyer of receiving 600 Riyals after one to two months, and 42,500 Riyals after one to three years, on the basis that these are "gifts"?

Dealing with this company is forbidden for the following reasons: 1. The transaction is based on riba (usury) from the buyer's side, as the buyer pays a small amount of money to obtain a larger amount later, combining both riba al-fadl (riba of surplus) and riba al-nasi’ah (riba of delay). 2. The transaction is based on maysir (gambling), because the buyer pays his money to receive a reward that may or may not materialize, which falls under gharar (excessive uncertainty). 3. The transaction is based on deception, delusion, and misleading people into believing they will obtain money without any legal obligation from the company. 4. The transaction involves devouring people's wealth unjustly, as the company charges a price for the disc that is significantly higher than its real value without giving the buyer the promised reward, especially to those who join later.

As for the permissibility of promotional prizes, it does not apply here for two conditions: The price of the product here is higher than its real value. Most buyers do not intend to acquire the product but rather the prize.

The company knows that the majority of its customers intend to acquire money, not the product, which makes its activity unlawful. Even if the company opens the door for agency to donate the disc, that does not change the ruling in any way because the intention of donating is mixed with worldly aims.