Some people in our country participate in car or motorcycle races, and each of them pays a sum of money, after which the winners receive prizes.
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The questioner : May Allah make you happy in both worlds, O honorable Shaykh.
There are car or motorcycle races in our country, and all participants must pay a specific amount, with prizes for the winners. Is this permissible, or is it considered gambling? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This person is asking: There are car and motorcycle competitions in their country, and everyone participates for a fee.
Our answer to this is: It is not permissible to take a fee for these competitions, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1700Hasan (Darussalam). "Sabaq" (with a fathah on the ba) is the fee taken for racing, so it is not permissible.
Yes, if we suppose that these cars are cars of jihad, and these motorcycles are motorcycles of jihad, then we say: there is nothing wrong with it, because they resemble horses and camels. However, if a person offers a prize for the winner, there is nothing wrong with that, because there is no harm to the competitors here; either they break even or they gain, which involves no gambling.
But do we tell the man who offered the prize that offering it is forbidden or lawful? This depends on what results from this competition. If no prohibited matter results from it, then offering a reward for it is permissible. If a prohibited matter results from it, then offering a reward for it is forbidden.
That is to say, if we suppose that this car and motorcycle competition leads to recklessness and mischief, then it is not permissible to encourage them or give them a reward. Because some young people who do not assess situations properly are found playing with cars, either by what is called drifting, or by spinning, or by other means. These are not to be encouraged in their actions. Did you understand? Good, yes. Ask, take the microphone.
There are car or motorcycle races in our country, and all participants must pay a specific amount, with prizes for the winners. Is this permissible, or is it considered gambling? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This person is asking: There are car and motorcycle competitions in their country, and everyone participates for a fee.
Our answer to this is: It is not permissible to take a fee for these competitions, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):
No stake is acceptable except in archery, racing a camel, and racing a horse.
لا سَبَق إلا في نصل أو خف أو حافرYes, if we suppose that these cars are cars of jihad, and these motorcycles are motorcycles of jihad, then we say: there is nothing wrong with it, because they resemble horses and camels. However, if a person offers a prize for the winner, there is nothing wrong with that, because there is no harm to the competitors here; either they break even or they gain, which involves no gambling.
But do we tell the man who offered the prize that offering it is forbidden or lawful? This depends on what results from this competition. If no prohibited matter results from it, then offering a reward for it is permissible. If a prohibited matter results from it, then offering a reward for it is forbidden.
That is to say, if we suppose that this car and motorcycle competition leads to recklessness and mischief, then it is not permissible to encourage them or give them a reward. Because some young people who do not assess situations properly are found playing with cars, either by what is called drifting, or by spinning, or by other means. These are not to be encouraged in their actions. Did you understand? Good, yes. Ask, take the microphone.