The Ruling on Prizes for Academic Competitions

The questioner:
And to the days of Tashriq, yes, regarding the prizes awarded to those who excel in knowledge, the Qur'an, and cultural levels, and to

The Shaykh:
prizes for jurisprudential and academic questions. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) defined it in his book *Al-Furusiyyah* (Chivalry) as a prize, because it falls under the issue of jihad in the path of Allah; learning knowledge is a type of jihad in the path of Allah, so he permitted it in the book *Al-Furusiyyah*. The issue is subject to consideration; there is no doubt that it is a matter for consideration. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: These are restricted, this is a restriction, how do we add some things and include them in it? It is a matter for consideration, even if Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said it.

The questioner:
The commotion today is like the merchandise of shops in their day.

The Shaykh:
But the prizes given to those who excel without a competition, we do not see in them any encouragement for them without a competition. One person memorized the Qur'an and you gave him a prize, or he answered jurisprudential questions and you gave him a prize without a competition. A competition is held among a group. As for one person who achieves an academic distinction and you give him a prize, that is good, it is encouragement. The point is if you say this prize is for whoever does such and such for a group of people, that is what is subject to consideration, yes.

The questioner:
Okay.

The Shaykh:
As for giving it initially as a form of praise, there is no harm in it.