Token Rewards and Prize Draws in Naat Gatherings – Shar‘i Ruling
(Taken from: Aḥkām wa Masā’il – Issues of Buying & Selling, vol. 1, p. 387)
❖ Question:
① In some places, sellers of ghee place a token inside the container. Whoever finds that token receives a prize — sometimes even a plot of land. There is no set condition like “buy this much to get a prize,” but rather whichever buyer’s pack happens to contain the token, he is given the prize.
② In gatherings of Naat held by the Barelwi sect, participants sometimes conduct a prize draw at the end. Whoever’s name is drawn is given an ‘Umrah ticket.
The first type is usually done to increase sales, while the second is to attract larger attendance in gatherings. If someone happens to receive a prize or an ‘Umrah ticket through such schemes, is it permissible for him to accept it?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
① Ruling on Token-Based Reward Schemes
The “token prize” system and similar schemes used today by sellers are considered qimār (gambling), maysir (games of chance), and jū’ā (lottery).
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَسَۡٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِۖ﴾ (al-Baqarah 219)
“They ask you about wine and gambling.”
And He says:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡخَمۡرُ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرُ﴾ (al-Ma’idah 90)
“O you who believe! Indeed, wine and gambling … (are prohibited).”
Hence, any scheme in which customers purchase goods with the hope that they might win a prize, even if there is no explicit condition, is in essence gambling. The seller uses this as a trick to attract buyers, and the buyer is drawn by the possibility of reward. This makes it unlawful.
② Ruling on Prize Draws in Naat Gatherings
The prize draw for an ‘Umrah ticket in Naat gatherings does not fall under gambling, since the participants are not buying a product in exchange for a chance. Rather, it is a form of enticement or encouragement to increase attendance — similar to inviting people with meals.
However, conditions apply:
◈ The practice must not involve anything contrary to Islām, such as false beliefs or innovations.
◈ If there is concern that such rewards may indirectly promote bid‘ah practices or corrupt beliefs, the recipient of the ticket should be particularly cautious.
❖ Conclusion
✔ Token prize schemes = Ḥarām (gambling/jū’ā)
✔ Prize draws in Naat gatherings = Not gambling in essence, but participation should be avoided if it promotes bid‘ah or un-Islamic practices.
