What is the ruling on taking a sum of money in exchange for informing a paternal cousin about an Islamic competition that he subsequently won, and must it be returned to him?
If the questioner informed his cousin about the competition, its timing, and its location, and his cousin agreed to it and promised him an amount of money if he won, then there is no objection to accepting the money, because it is the fulfillment of a promise. However, if the questioner helped his cousin answer the competition questions, then the ruling reverts to the organizing body. If they permit it, there is no objection. But if they prohibit it and consider it cheating, then his cousin does not deserve the prize and it is not permissible for the questioner to take the money.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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