Is it permissible to bet on acts of obedience, such as paying money to whoever memorizes more of the Qur'an?
The majority of scholars hold that competitions for a prize are not permissible except in matters specified by the Shari'ah, based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "There is no prize except for racing with hooves [horses] or feet [camels]." And "prize" (sabaq) refers to the compensation or reward. Some scholars have appended to these three categories: competing in beneficial knowledge. Ibn al-Qayyim preferred the permissibility of competitions for a prize in memorizing the Qur'an, , Fiqh, and other beneficial sciences, arguing that these are more deserving of permissibility than archery, wrestling, and swimming. He reasoned that religion is founded upon argument and jihad, so if wagering is permissible on the tools of jihad, then it is even more permissible for knowledge.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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