The ruling on competitions held in football matches.

The questioner : Shaykh, from what you have said previously, do we understand that if four people or a group sit down, and each one pays a sum, and they agree with good will that the winner will receive this amount, is there any sin in that?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Okay, what is the difference between that and what happens in matches? Is it the same situation as football matches?

The Shaykh : Matches are not like that. How do they happen? Let us see what happens.

The questioner : Sometimes, for example, in schools, this team pays a certain amount.

The Shaykh : And this team.

The questioner : Pays a similar amount, and the winner takes it. Is it not the same situation?

The Shaykh : I do not think this exists.

The questioner : Matches are of two types. The first is related to the competition, where certain parties offer a gift to the winner.

The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with that.

The questioner : There is nothing wrong with that. The second situation is what popular teams do now in our neighborhoods and mosques. Unfortunately, they collect half a dinar or a dinar from every young man, buy a gift, and the winner from one of the two teams takes this gift.

The Shaykh : Yes, there is nothing wrong with that.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : No, allow me, I am just trying to understand the reality, otherwise the ruling seems to have no difference. You say they collect from whom?

The questioner : From the players themselves.

The Shaykh : From the two teams?

The questioner : From the two teams.

The Shaykh : From the two teams. This is what they say in our area.

The questioner : These popular teams or mosques collect from the two teams, each person paying half a dinar, or ten qirsh, depending on the value of the gift, and they buy the gift with the full amount. Then, when one of the teams wins, they take this gift.

The Shaykh : This question reminds me of a hadith that compels me to add a condition I have not mentioned before, which is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) The meaning is no racing, meaning no betting or payment in the competition in these three types: the hoof, which refers to camels; the blade, which refers to dueling or archery; and the hoof, which refers to horses. In this race, some scholars stipulate that there must be a third party, meaning a person other than the two racers, where the money of the one who defeats the other is taken by him. This is a type of gambling. But the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), for a profound wisdom—and peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you—for a profound wisdom, excepted these three things because of the preparation of Muslims for fighting the disbelievers by practicing these three means. So I say that everything that is a means for this strengthening is included with these three things, and anything else is what? Gambling. Anything else is gambling. Now, regarding the previous question, I am thinking about whether it resembles this or differs, as it was in my mind when I gave the previous answer, that here people are all participating, each one paying something, and the one who succeeds in the material means takes this money. Is it like the issue in which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said It does not appear to me that they are the same. So now I am asking for your help. What is your opinion? Where is Abu Fares? He was with us here. Now Abu Fares appears. So, Abu Fares, never mind.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, Shaykh. Yes, my master.The Shaykh : .

Another questioner : Is it possible that the meaning is the ball?

The Shaykh : We need to see what the person who raised this question observes?

The questioner : I raised it, Shaykh, because of the hadith .

The Shaykh : So I said, yes. So I said it is necessary to add to my previous answer that it must be in the way of piety.

The questioner : Widen the circle a little.

The Shaykh : Yes, go ahead.

The questioner : If this money does not remain for anyone except to be given to the winner, then I believe it is like strengthening the team. But if something remains for other purposes, it is not permissible.

The Shaykh : Yes, the question was limited to the winner taking this money. If it is for strengthening, it appears, and Allah knows best, that it is permissible.

The questioner : Okay, Shaykh, just a question...

The Shaykh : What did you point to, Abu Abdullah? To Abu Fares? It is the time of 'Asr, meaning it is time for prayer.

The questioner : It seems like a little while.

Another questioner : There are eight minutes left.

The Shaykh : At the door, who else is there? What do you have? Go ahead.