Is it permissible to have a football competition where each team pays a specific amount, which is used to buy prizes that are distributed to the winners?
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The questioner : May Allah forgive you, O Shaykh: In Ramadan, they hold sports tournaments.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Sports tournaments and football competitions, where several teams are formed. Each team contributes a specific amount, such as five hundred or one thousand riyals. One person collects the money and buys prizes with it. The winner among them takes, for example, a cup or a specific prize that they determine. What is the ruling on this, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : This is forbidden and not permissible, because these players who put in money may gain or may lose. They are currently in debt; they advanced the money, but one may gain and one may not. Perhaps the prize will go to someone else. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Bulugh al-Maram 11:61 This is not of that. Therefore, it is obligatory to prohibit this and to inform the youth that this is not permissible. And in my opinion, they will, if Allah wills, be guided.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Sports tournaments and football competitions, where several teams are formed. Each team contributes a specific amount, such as five hundred or one thousand riyals. One person collects the money and buys prizes with it. The winner among them takes, for example, a cup or a specific prize that they determine. What is the ruling on this, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : This is forbidden and not permissible, because these players who put in money may gain or may lose. They are currently in debt; they advanced the money, but one may gain and one may not. Perhaps the prize will go to someone else. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: