The Ruling on Wagering in Matters of Islamic Jurisprudence
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His Eminence the Shaykh: Some students, while studying religious knowledge, say: whoever makes a mistake in a question must buy a book—for example—for the one who got it right. Is this permissible?
This is a competition, and the Shaykh al-Islam held that there is no harm in a religious competition. He explained this, may Allah have mercy on him, by stating that jihad is either through knowledge or through weapons. He also cited as evidence what is reported about Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) when the words of Allah the Exalted were revealed: [Ar-Rum: 1-4] The Persians are those who defeated the Romans, and the Romans are Christians from among the People of the Book, while the Persians are Zoroastrians who have no book.Allah the Exalted said: [Ar-Rum: 4-5] Because the believers love the victory of the Christians over the Persians; for the Christians are People of the Book, and thus they are closer to the truth than the Zoroastrians. And Quraysh loved that the Zoroastrians would prevail over the Romans; for the Zoroastrians are polytheists.So Quraysh said: It was not possible for the Romans to defeat the Persians, because the Persians were stronger than they were, and they did not believe in the Qur'an. So Abu Bakr wagered with them some camels for a period of seven years. The seven years passed and nothing happened, so Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to ask him.So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Increase the term by two years and increase the wager) because the phrase (in a few years) refers to a period from three to nine years. So he instructed him to be cautious by increasing the term and increasing the compensation. Abu Bakr did so, and before the two years had passed, the riders came with news of the Romans' victory over the Persians.
From this matter, the Shaykh al-Islam cited as evidence the permissibility of wagering in matters of Islamic jurisprudence.
This is a competition, and the Shaykh al-Islam held that there is no harm in a religious competition. He explained this, may Allah have mercy on him, by stating that jihad is either through knowledge or through weapons. He also cited as evidence what is reported about Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) when the words of Allah the Exalted were revealed:
(1) Alif, Lam, Meem. (2) The Byzantines have been defeated (3) In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome. (4) Within three to nine years.
الم * غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ * فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ * فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَAnd that day the believers will rejoice (5) In the victory of Allah
وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِFrom this matter, the Shaykh al-Islam cited as evidence the permissibility of wagering in matters of Islamic jurisprudence.