Question:
What is the ruling on entering competitions at supermarkets, gas station and other stores where a person becomes eligible to participate when they spend a certain amount on products?
Answer: الحمد الله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على رسوله الكريم
Shaykhul Islām Muftī Muhammad Taqī Usmani حفظه الله writes:
“The ruling regarding these types of prizes is that they are permissible under the [following] conditions:
First Condition – The item was purchased at its normal price, and the price was not increased due to the possibility of winning prizes. This is because if the seller increases the normal price of the item, then the extra amount paid by the customer will be in exchange of the probable prize. Thus, the prize will now be in exchange of money and will no longer remain a gift. Additionally, this money which was given in exchange was given in risk and therefore, the transaction becomes a gamble.
If the product is sold at its normal price, then the customer has received a full recompense in exchange of what he spent, and no money was given as a risk. The gift which he receives was a gift without any exchange of payment and would thus be considered a permissible gift.
(The last) Condition – The customer must purchase the product with the intention of benefitting from it, and not merely out of expectation of winning the prize with it. Because if his intention was not to purchase the actual item, then the money he spent would actually be in exchange of the prize. Hence, within this, there seems to be a resemblance of risk, and it is thus not free from resembling gambling.”
[Buḥūth fī Qadhāyā Fiqhiyyah Muʿāṣarah Vol.2 Pg.158-159]
And Allāh Taʿālā knows best.
| Ibn Suleman
Dārul ʾIftāʾ wal ʾIrshād, Sirājul ʿUlūm Institute 1st Shaʿbān 1447 20 January 2026 |
Reviewed and concurred by:
Muftī Ahmad Bhamji Muftī Reza Deonarine Muftī Mohammed Teladia
|
Mawlānā Siraaj Bhana
Mawlānā Rafeek Adam Muftī Mujahid Dan Lubrin |
Do read this link for the ruling of Purchasing Raffle Tickets.