Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
(As-sabq) with a kasrah on the letter "ba" is a verbal noun and means "to advance" or "to move ahead."
And if the "ba" is read with a fathah, then it refers to the wealth or reward
that is given in a competition.
In the following narration, this word is read with a fathah on the "ba."
Benefit:
Competing and organizing competitions in various matters of jihad and education/training is analogically based on this, but in all such matters that have no benefit, holding competitions is impermissible and invalid.
For example, pigeon flying, or cock and quail fighting, etc.

Explanation:
1:
On the condition that this prize money is not from the participants themselves;
if it is from them, then it is gambling (qimar) and wagering (jua), which is not permissible.
It is thus understood that organizing competitions with a fixed prize is permissible,
but such competitions are only allowed in those sports
through which the youth receive military and defensive training.
Competitions such as pigeon flying, slingshot shooting, kite flying, etc., are purely means of mental indulgence.
The sports of the present era are also generally useless.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ (Hoof)
This refers to the hoof that is not split into two parts at the front, such as the hoof of a horse, donkey, or mule. Here, the intended meaning is those animals whose hoofs are of this kind.

➋
Horses are used in jihad; therefore, in order to encourage their training and care, it is permissible to organize their races. From other ahadith, evidence is also found for foot races, archery, and wrestling competitions. Thus, it is permissible to encourage every such sport that aids in jihad. Participating in and encouraging other games is a waste of time, wealth, and abilities; therefore, one should avoid them.

➌
Competing in spending wealth in the way of Allah (fi sabilillah) and in knowledge and education is legislatively commendable. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 8-42) Therefore, organizing competitions in educational institutions for memorization of the Qur'an (hifz al-Qur'an), tajwid, memorization of hadith, beautiful recitation (husn al-qira'ah), praise of the Messenger (na‘t Rasul), and speeches and writings on various religious topics, and awarding prizes to those who excel in them, is correct. Because this encourages the acquisition of religious sciences, and this is a kind of scholarly jihad.

(1) The purpose is that by organizing such competitions, military strength will be reinforced and people will develop an inclination towards jihad; therefore, participating in these competitions will earn reward. Other games do not have any lofty or lasting benefit in competition, thus there is no reward in them; however, if a game is permissible, then competition in it will also be permissible.

(2) Besides these three things, if there is anything else that fulfills the objective of jihad, then competition in that as well will be an act of reward.

For details, see Hadith 3615.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه أبوداود، الجهاد، باب في السبق، حديث:2574، وأحمد:2 /474، والنسائي، الخيل، حديث:3615، وابن حبان (الموارد)، حديث:1638، والترمذي، الجهاد، حديث:1700، وابن ماجه، الجهاد، حديث:2878.»©Explanation:
➊ It is stated in *Subul al-Salam* that this hadith is evidence that it is permissible to organize a race competition with a fixed prize.
➋ If the prize is from someone other than the participants in the race—such as a leader or ruler giving a prize to the winner—then this is permissible without any fear or hesitation. However, if this prize is from one of the participants in the competition, then it is not permissible; this is gambling.
➌ Winning a prize by stipulation in the aforementioned three activities is lawful because it is preparation, training, and exercise for war, and it is to develop strength for jihad.
For this reason, apart from these mentioned cases, taking money by stipulation is gambling (*qimar*), which is prohibited—such as pigeon racing, or obtaining a prize by making roosters fight, etc.