Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum.

One of my friend argues that Lottery (lucky draw), and draws conducted by some duty free shops is not part of 'riba'. Please provide deteiled explanation in the light of Holy Qura'n and Hadith.

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Answer:

Lottery gambling

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If one buys a ‘raffle’ or ‘lottery’ ticket with the intention to win a prize purely through the element of chance, without an iota of a doubt this would constitute ‘maysir’ or gambling, and abomination and a grave sin in the Sight of Shariah Law and of Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verses 90-91:

90 O ye who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of the Shaytaan's handiwork: eschew such (abomination) that ye may prosper.

91 Shaytaan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?

The argument of your friend that such gambling would not constitute a part of ‘riba’ is probably accurate; but the buying of such ‘raffle’ or ‘lottery’ tickets would definitely, without an iota of a doubt, constitute the evil abomination and categorically prohibited act of ‘maysir’ or gambling in the Sight of the Lord Most High!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan