Ruling on Money Received from the Fruit Cake and Coin Ritual
Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ Ahl al-Ḥadīth
❖ Question
At my workplace, every year (on the beginning of the Gregorian year) the factory owner brings a fruit cake. A coin of the country’s currency is placed inside the cake, which is then divided into portions equal to the number of employees.
On this occasion, names are written on a sheet in order: first the name of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام), then Maryam (عليها السلام), then the owner’s two brothers, and then the employees’ names in order of seniority.
The practice is carried out with the belief that the new year will pass well. When the cake is cut and distributed, the one who finds the coin in his portion is given sixteen thousand rupees (₨16000) as a prize. Employees do not contribute anything financially in this process.
Is it permissible to accept this money?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
The method you described is a form of tamīmah (superstitious practice), and such an act is not permissible in Sharīʿah.
However, if the factory distributes money among employees through a simple lottery/selection without involving the rituals of cake, coin placement, or name inscription, and no element against Sharīʿah is included, then it is permissible.
✿ Evidences
① The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ تَمِیْمَة فَلاَ اَتَمَّ اللّٰہُ لَه وَمَنْ تَعَلَّقَ وَدَعَة فَلاَ وَدَعَ اللّٰہُ لَه»
“Whoever hangs an amulet, Allah will not fulfill his aim; and whoever hangs a seashell, Allah will not grant him peace.”
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/154)
In another narration:
«مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ تَمِیْمَة فَقَدْ أَشْرَك»
“Whoever hangs an amulet has committed shirk.”
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/156)
② Allah ﷻ says:
﴿قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِيَ اللَّـهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَاشِفَاتُ ضُرِّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَاتُ رَحْمَتِهِ قُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ﴾
“Say: Have you considered what you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intended me harm, could they remove His harm? Or if He intended mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy? Say: Allah is sufficient for me; in Him alone the reliant put their trust.”
