The Ruling on Lotteries
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The fourth and final question: They say, the brothers from the Erbil Governorate in Iraq: Is the money that a person receives, or anything else a person receives from what is called the lottery, which is held by some banks, especially the Rافدين Bank in Iraq, or what a person receives from other competitions in programs, which is based on luck, is it lawful or forbidden? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
Answer: As for the wealth obtained through the means of gambling, which is betting, known as the lottery, through luck and the like, this wealth is taken by other than the lawful path, so it is not lawful. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah: 90]. And gambling is betting. So whatever is through competition in any game or any work, this is gambling and betting. It is not permissible for a Muslim to be lax in this matter; rather, wealth is lawful for him only through its lawful path, through lawful sale and purchase, through lawful gift, through lawful bequest, through lawful wages, and other than that. The paths of lawful wealth are known in the pure Shari'ah.
As for what concerns betting in its various forms, which is gambling, it is not permissible for a Muslim to engage in it. Rather, he must be cautious of it. Earning from this path, the path of gambling, and from selling what is forbidden, such as selling intoxicants and tobacco or the like, this is not lawful. Rather, the Muslim must guard himself against it. He hopes for what is with Allah and fears His punishment, Blessed and Exalted is He. [At-Talaq: 2-3]. And if a slave leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah replaces it with something better for him . And He is the One who said : [At-Talaq: 4]. Yes.
Answer: As for the wealth obtained through the means of gambling, which is betting, known as the lottery, through luck and the like, this wealth is taken by other than the lawful path, so it is not lawful. Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنصَابُ وَالأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَAs for what concerns betting in its various forms, which is gambling, it is not permissible for a Muslim to engage in it. Rather, he must be cautious of it. Earning from this path, the path of gambling, and from selling what is forbidden, such as selling intoxicants and tobacco or the like, this is not lawful. Rather, the Muslim must guard himself against it. He hopes for what is with Allah and fears His punishment, Blessed and Exalted is He.
And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.