Prizes and competitions on chance : math competition with prizes

Fatawa Question

I would like to know if it would be Halal to organize a mathematics competition where money prizes will be given but only to the winners. To enter the competition the students will have to buy two small safety match boxes per month, for six months, which cost about five cents in US dollars. Please note that where I live practically no one buy electric ovens as they are too expensive, with the price of electricity not being favorable with the price of butane gas for example. So, almost everyone has to buy safety matches or a lighter, as a source of heat. It is a necessity of life, as much as buying food, since we have to light our wood, gas, or charcoal for cooking purpose. So I am not asking them to buy something they do not need, such as an ice cream which is not a necessity in this life. I am just asking them to buy my own brand of safety matches. They would have bought these safety matches (but not necessarily my brand) or a lighter, regardless if the competition takes place or not. So is this competition as described Halal ? Or should I give the students the choice to buy either a lighter or a safety match to make the competition Halal ? Thank you for answering. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your constant help, Yours,

Fatwa

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Publication Date

2008-10-08

Main Subjects

Financial and Accounting Sciences
Religion
Islamic Studies

Topics

• Islamic jurisprudence
• Gambling
• Awards
• Costs
• Taboos
• Lotteries
• Contests

No. of Pages

1

Data Type

Fatawa

Language

English

Record ID

BIM-733918

• APA
• MLA
• AMA