Q: In our city, a cooperative society displays a car in front of its entrance as a prize in a competition among customers who buy up one hundred dirhams worth of goods. This enables them to have a free numbered coupon with the word "Its value is ten dirhams" printed upon it and it takes part in the draw in which the lucky person gets the car. My question is: 1 What is the ruling on taking part in this draw by getting this free coupon, while the participator will lose nothing in case he does not win? 2 What is the ruling on buying from this cooperative society, for the purpose of getting this coupon in order to take part in the draw?
Given that people here, including the welleducated, are confused concerning this matter. I hope Your Eminence would answer the two attached questions providing proofs, so that Muslims could understand their religion correctly. May Allah reward you the best! Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) M.`A.D. AlFujayrah United Arab Emirates
This kind of dealing is considered a form of gambling which Allah (Exalted be He) prohibits in His Saying: O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and AlAnsâb, and AlAzlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from AsSalât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?
Therefore, the rulers and the people of knowledge in AlFujayrah and elsewhere should renounce and warn against this dealing, for it contradicts the Book of Allah and entails devouring the wealth of people unjustly. May Allah grant us all guidance and uprightness!