Winnings From Sporting Tournaments

QUESTION:

Regarding the sporting tournaments that require a fee in order to participate, with prize money up for grabs for the winning team, is this money considered Halaal?

ANSWER:

Firstly, it is not permissible for Muslims to participate in Kuffaar sports. This is a futile activity that yields no benefit whatsoever, neither in this world, nor in the hereafter. Each player will be wasting and squandering his valuable money, whilst millions are starving in our very own country. We should use the very same funds to buy bread and milk for the innumerable poor people that are without food, and who eat out of the garbage bags on the street. Now, coming to the queried scenario, yes, it is not permissible to participate in such tournaments where one pays a fee and receives a prize/reward as this consists of gambling.

فإن الغرر هو الخطر الذي استوى فيه طرف الوجود والعدم بمنزلة الشك (بدائع الصنائع 5/ 163)
ويطلق القمار في الاصطلاح الفقهي على كل لعب يشترط فيه غالبا أن يأخذ الغالب شيئا من المغلوب وحقيقته مراهنة على غرر محض (فقه المعاملات 4/128)

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

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 12 Safar 1448 / 29 July 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb