Playing Padel

QUESTION:

Lately, the sport called Padel has become quite popular amongst Muslims and many people have started playing it at various clubs. These clubs host Padel tournaments that charge an entry fee and the winners get awarded prize money. Sometimes, instead of prize money, winners are awarded vouchers which can then be used at the venue in lieu of payment for future matches.
At times, there are sponsers that partake in the competition who then contribute to the prize money. Is the prize money permissible in view of the fact that one team walks away with the prize money.

ANSWER:

The Quraan Sharif states:

أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Did you think that We had created you in vain and that you would not return to us?  [Surah 23, Verse 115]

وَمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

The life of this world is mere futility and play. Without doubt, the life of the Aakhirah is true life. If only they knew. [Surah Ankaboot, Verse 64]

There are numerous verses of the Quraan Sharif and Ahadith which state that the worldly life is temporary, whilst the life of the hereafter is everlasting and permanent. Spending a major or large portion of our lives in sporting activities is in fact, squandering and wasting our lives. The Hadith Sharif states that the world is a plantation of the hereafter, hence a believer should not be distracted by the play and amusement of the worldly life but prepare for our permanent abode which is the hereafter. It is recorded in the Hadith that the Jannati will have no regret except the time spent void of the Zikr of Allah Ta’ala. We have had reports at the Darul Ifta that in various areas Muslims are engaged in Padel during the month of Ramadaan during Taraweeh time, hence the Masajid are empty. Many of these courts belong to Muslim owners yet it is sad that they are willing to let them out to Muslim clients at Taraweeh time. However, this in no way means that one should not keep fit. In fact, Islam encourages us to be healthy and fit but within the parameters and confines of Shariah.

Now coming to your query, if players are required to pay an entrance fee, and the winning party receives a prize from a third party (who donates the prize), then it will be permissible to accept the prize as it does not fall in the category of gambling. If the prize for the winning team is purchased from the entrance fee, then it will be categorized as gambling. Similarly, if the winning team receives a voucher from an external sponsor and not from the entrance fee, then it will be permissible to accept the voucher. We hope the above explanation clarifies the matter.                   

لو قال: واحد من الناس لجماعة من الفرسان أو لاثنين من سبق فله كذا من مال نفسه أو قال للرماة من أصاب الهدف فله كذا جاز لأنه من باب التنفيل، فإذا كان التنفيل من بيت المال كالسلب ونحوه يجوز فما ظنك بخالص ماله، وعلى هذا الفقهاء إذا تنازعوا في المسائل وشرط للمصيب منهم جعل جاز إذا لم يكن من الجانبين على ما ذكرنا في الخيل إذ التعلم في البابين يرجع إلى تقوية الدين وإعلاء كلمة الله تعالى والمراد بالجواز المذكور في باب المسابقة الحل دون الاستحقاق حتى لو امتنع المغلوب من الدفع لا يجبره القاضي ولا يقضي عليه به(الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 6/753)

میچ جیتنے والے کو انعام دینے کی ایک صورت

بعض مرتبہ مختلف ٹیمیں کسی انعامی مقابلے میں حصہ لیتی ہیں جس کے اندر تقسیم انعام

کی صورت یہ ہوتی ہے کہ شامل ہونے والی ٹیموں سے مقررہ فیس لی جاتی ہے ۔ اس صورت

میں اگر اس رقم سے جیتنے والی ٹیم کو انعام یا کسی ایک کھلاڑی کو مخصوص رقم یا کپ وغیرہ دیا

جاۓ تو یہ صورت بھی قمار میں داخل ہے، لیکن اگر یہ انعام کوئی تیسرا شخص یا ادارہ اپنی طرف

سے دے تو پھر یہ صورت قمار میں داخل نہیں (مالي معاملات پر غرر کے اثرات ص 400)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:                                                         

Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb    

Date: 25 Dhul Qa’dah 1445 / 03 June 2024