What is the ruling of Islamic law regarding the game "Business Cycle," which relies on purchasing a ticket and paying amounts to participants and the company, then selling other tickets while progressing through ranks to obtain a large sum of money? And is the money acquired considered commercial profit or usury (riba)?

This game, known as the "business cycle," is forbidden (haram) due to several prohibitions it entails, including:

1. The purchased tickets are not considered valuable property (mal mutaqawwim) nor a legally recognized benefit (manfa'ah mu'tabarah shar'an). 2. Gambling (qimar), as the participant may lose what they paid or win at the expense of others' losses.

The mutual consent among participants does not legitimize what is forbidden. A ruling has been issued by the Islamic Fiqh Council prohibiting the "Suprema card," which resembles these tickets. Those who have engaged in this must repent to Allah and dispose of the ill-gotten gains by spending them on charitable causes.